Because of such an atrociously harsh working situation provided to the women associated with union-based textile and garment work, a massive strike commenced which would indefinitely alter the way in which women were allowed and required to perform their duties. This strike was known as the “The Uprising of Twenty Thousand, “and it was the cause of great change in the work force of our women.
Within the time of the early 20th century the working environment, pay-scale, hours, and other factors were awfully unbalanced and unequal. An uprising known as “The Uprising of Twenty Thousand” which was initiated because women who worked in the garment industry had become tired of the low wages and intensely long work hours. Many of the environments in which these women worked were dimly-lit, poorly ventilated, festering with all sorts of pungent odors, and not safe in any semblance of code. The women were forced to work in overtly awful spaces and consideration into the health and safety of these women were hardly taken into hand. Many of the reasons why women, and children and immigrants, were brought to work was because they could be employed for less than normal wages and were hardly willing to speak their mind in relation to the hazards and un-equal opportunities they were given out of fear of losing their employment.
This all changed went strong willed and powerfully minded women unionized into a collective force. They formed the WTUL: The Women’s Trade Union League in 1903 to support women, and alter the working conditions of women for the better. They congregated in mass in the Cooper Union to discuss a singular issue; whether they should strike. A girl emerged from the crowed in attempt to speak her mind in her native tongue of Yiddish, she spoke; “I am a working girl—one of those who are suffering from intolerable conditions. I thought we came here to decide whether we should all go on a strike. The speakers seem to think that we came here only to talk. I am tired of so much talk. We have only one thing to do—to vote to strike or not to. For my part, I offer a resolution that we go on strike – now.” (62) This initiated a vote, which as seconded by everyone, three thousand women went on strike that day to gain some semblance of improvement in relation to the working conditions of women in the garment industry. Women began to rise in effort for their conglomeration, all women deserved better and they knew it. They stuck to their guns and fought, they understood that men of union who were dissatisfied with their means went on strike and rallied for better than they were given, and that is what these women did.  At their helm was Rose Schneiderman, and she was a veritable omnipotent woman of the garment industry. She rallied along side the women and expected them to receive their worth.
“My friends, the men are organized and they have gained an eight hour day, which has made them stronger and better citizens, and their pay as a result of organization has been increased and they live better lives and have time to read and become improved morally as well as physically.” (67) She argued consistently that their male counterparts are none the better than the women. They are both working hard; albeit, the women are working for more and less. She answered these questions systematically and with great intent. Men have seen their efforts fruitful and could only wonder why women still work for stagnancy, their wages remained low and work days long. “The girls believe that they are entitled to have better pay and to have better food. In their case it is the same as in every other walk of life, for the world is full of good things and happiness and goodness, and why should not these girls have the part of it to which they are entitled? “(67) She believed women were entitled, as did all women, to the same wages, same benefits, and conditions as any other worker in America. They were not second-rate citizens, they were not lesser-beings they were simply a different gender. She understood this did not play a role in their work ethic and they worked just as hard as any other person.
	Everything these women rallied for began to change because of the undying spirits and efforts of the members of the WTUL. Women began to see better pay, they began to see benefits and shortened work days. The WTUL had successfully began to cause change in the work of women across the nation in the garment industry. Forever would things be different, and the efforts of these women were solely to thank, I believe that their efforts will echo throughout history.