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January 1909. "A little spinner in Globe Cotton Mill. Augusta, Ga. The overseer admitted she was regularly employed." View full size. Lewis Wickes Hine.
Definitely not what you should see when you look into the eyes of a child. I think I need to get the print of this to look at when I feel the need to complain about having a oh so tough day at work.
I just read The Jungle and I cried at the thought of a little one working the way this poor girl did. Her eyes are as close to crying without shedding a tear as I have ever seen.
I'm so thankful my daughter is able to play and be a child.
Many early textile mill workers developed byssinosis from breathing cotton dust thrown off by the machines. Probably especially bad for children.
Spend your childhood working in a factory, then live through the depression and a war. I hope she lived long enough to see prosperity and grandchildren that didn't have to live the hard life she did.
The pain in her eyes just haunts me... I don't imagine she ever got to be a child or play with dolls. So sad.
Thank God we never new that life....
And this photo breaks my heart.
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