sonified beauty, independence, and personal fulfillment in the gilded Edwardian era." This blouse usually had a tailored collar, shoulders, and sleeves, but then was darted and sculpted in to show the feminine shape. This combined mannish tailoring with the feminine shape and fine, flammable material that outlined that shape. It was very much in demand at the time of this writing. The entry below is when Lucia Angelina Olivieri first discovered that she had been hired at Triangle.
Papa's death has left us drained financially and emotionally. Mama was able to pay some of the doctor's bills, and the doctor is willing to wait longer on the rest, but we still need money for clothes and food for the little ones and ourselves. It has been so cold lately. Little Anna has done her best to put a brave face on things. She offered to help Mama and I work to bring home money, but she really is too young. Besides, we need someone to stay and watch the little ones: Antony, Celia, and Baby Rosa. Mama may give her the piecework that I do. She can do that while she stays home to mind the babies.
Good news! One of Papa's paesani friends [fellow countrymen] heard about Papa's death leaving us short an income and funds and he has been able to find me a job at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory where he works as a pattern cutter. I am very excited since I am now doing piecework that Mama brings home and I would really like to get out more. Triangle will pay $3 per week since I am one of the big girls now at 16 and Papa's friend was able to show the foreman what I could do. I will probably be a sleeve setter, or work at the machines if I am lucky. It will be nice to meet some more people instead of being cooped up at home all day.
The hours will be long. I will need to leave home at 6:30 in the morning in order to make it to work by 7:30, though Papa's friend says it looks better to get there early. I may work as late as 9:00 at night, tho...