This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

Adelphi Remembers the New York City Triangle Factory Fire

Although the fire happened 100 years ago, the effects are still felt today.

On March 3, the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (AU PAC) was brimming with students, faculty, administrators and community members.

They were all there for a common purpose, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of an event that revolutionized labor laws and restrictions in American history; the New York City Triangle Factory Fire. 

The program's main feature was a special preview screening of HBO's documentary, Triangle: Remembering the Fire. The film combined powerful images with personal narrative to create a truly moving and captivating experience. Family members recounted stories of love lost, as told by survivors and those left behind after the tragedy that took 146 lives.

Find out what's happening in Garden Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Although the fire happened 100 years ago, the effects are still felt today. At one point during the night, audience members who were related to victims were asked to stand up from their seats. An overwhelming number of viewers suddenly arose, a stark reminder of just how many lives were impacted on that fateful day, March 25, 1911.

One of those audience members asked to stand, Mary Ann Lupinacci Havron '78, is an Adelphi alumna whose two great aunts had worked at the factory. Santina Salemi died in the fire, while her sister, Francesca Salemi, managed to escape. Their cousin, Rosie Cerrito, was also lost in the sweeping blaze.

Find out what's happening in Garden Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The first time I heard about the fire was in 1972, I was 16 and my grandfather told me about it," said Mrs. Lupinacci Havron. "Even though 60 years had gone by, his eyes welled up with tears as he recalled running to the scene and seeing many of the girls laying on the sidewalks." At the time, her grandfather was just 10 years old, not much younger than many of the victims.

Even for those not directly connected to the disaster, the event held special meaning. A number of students took part in the program, with original music compositions inspired by the tragedy, and a performance in which all of the victims' names were read, including six who were only identified recently. 

"There has been so much that I have learned from this experience regarding the Triangle Factory Fire itself," said Stephen Zuccaro '13, a performing arts major with a concentration in acting at Adelphi. "I would like for these events to raise awareness, not only of the Triangle Fire, but also of the terrible working conditions that still exist today. Hopefully, enough people can be stirred into action that can eventually establish workers' rights everywhere."

A panel discussion echoed this notion, and featured HBO director Daphne Pinkerson, co-producer Michael Hirsch - who also identified the six previously unnamed victims, president of the Workers United garment union Bruce Raynor, and victims’ relatives who appeared in the film. The common theme throughout the panel was showing how the struggles of the past relate to the struggles of today.

"Tonight, as we think of those young workers," said Raynor, "there are thousands of workers in Wisconsin, Oklahoma and Indiana fighting for these rights...and we're fighting for the same issues not only in this country, but around the world."

By the end of the night it was clear that this event served not only as a tribute to those lost a century ago, but also as a spark to ignite further labor reform and justice for workers everywhere.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?