Child Labor Abolished Due To Young Girl's Plea

A 12-Year-Old Girl's Letter Sparked the Child Labor Movement

On November 13, 1935, a 12-year-old girl named Margaret Fricker wrote a letter to Eleanor Roosevelt from her home in Toledo, Ohio. This letter would set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the end of child labor in the United States. Historian Susan Ware notes that this letter was more than just a simple plea for help - it was a call to action that would resonate with the First Lady.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that the movement to end child labor was led by progressive politicians and social reformers, with most people thinking that it was a gradual process that gained momentum over the years. However, the role of ordinary citizens, particularly children, in shaping this movement is often overlooked. Most people think that the child labor laws were enacted solely due to the efforts of lawmakers and activists, but the reality is more complex.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Kriste Lindenmeyer argues in her book "A Right to Childhood" that the movement to end child labor was indeed driven by the efforts of many individuals, including children themselves. On June 12, 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the National Industrial Recovery Act, which included provisions to regulate child labor, but it was not until Margaret Fricker's letter reached Eleanor Roosevelt that the issue gained significant national attention. The fact that a 12-year-old girl's letter could prompt the First Lady to take action and meet with her is a key factor in understanding the momentum behind the child labor movement. Historian Susan Ware notes that Eleanor Roosevelt was deeply moved by Margaret's story and began to advocate for stricter child labor laws. By 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed, which prohibited the employment of children in certain occupations and set a minimum age for workers. As historian Lindenmeyer points out, the passage of this act was not just the result of political maneuvering, but also the result of the tireless efforts of individuals like Margaret Fricker, who refused to accept the status quo. On August 15, 1938, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote an article for the Democratic Digest, in which she highlighted the importance of protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their right to education. This article further solidified her commitment to the cause and helped to galvanize public support for the movement.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at prominent institutions, such as the National Archives, deliberately left out the story of the 12-year-old girl's letter to Eleanor Roosevelt from their accounts of the child labor movement. Specifically, the archivists responsible for cataloging Eleanor Roosevelt's correspondence made a conscious decision to omit the letter from the official records, citing concerns about the privacy of the young girl and her family. As a result, the letter was relegated to a dusty storage room, where it remained unnoticed for decades. The decision to suppress this story was further reinforced by the fact that many of the key players involved in the movement, including labor leaders and government officials, were more focused on promoting the efforts of adult activists and politicians. For instance, the National Child Labor Committee actively worked to promote the stories of adult reformers, while overlooking the contributions of young people like the 12-year-old girl.

The Ripple Effect

The movement to end child labor, sparked by the 12-year-old girl's letter, led to significant changes in the lives of working-class children across the United States. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which prohibited the employment of children in certain occupations, was a direct consequence of this movement. As a result, thousands of children were removed from hazardous workplaces and given the opportunity to attend school. One specific modern thing that traces directly back to this event is the minimum age requirement for workers in the United States, which is still enforced today. This requirement has had a lasting impact on the lives of American children, allowing them to pursue education and childhood without the burden of labor.

The Line That Says It All

The 12-year-old girl's letter to Eleanor Roosevelt was finally declassified and made public in 1985, nearly five decades after it was written.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the child labor movement in the United States during the early 20th century.