Orchid Mae Letter 24 - The Progress of Women and Children
Child Labor Reform

Photograph of boys working in textile mill by Lewis Hine 1909. Library of Congress
During the Progressive Era (1890–1920), child labor reform emerged as a central concern for social activists, journalists, and politicians seeking to address the harsh realities of industrialization. At the time, millions of children—some as young as five—worked in mines, mills, factories, and on farms. These children often endured dangerous conditions, long hours, and minimal pay, all while being denied an education and a proper childhood.
Progressive reformers viewed child labor as both a moral issue and a threat to the nation’s future. Activists like Florence Kelley and organizations such as the National Child Labor Committee (NCLC), founded in 1904, played key roles in raising public awareness. They used photographs, particularly the powerful images captured by Lewis Hine, to show the brutal conditions children faced.
The NCLC hired Hine to document child laborers. From 1908 to 1917 Hine traveled around the United States visiting factories, mills, mines, fields and streets photographing children at work. Hine’s work was sometimes dangerous as he had to use subterfuge or disguises to gain entry to some locations to get the shots he needed. Many employers would hide their use of child labor from the public as it was not seen as a moral practice and therefore would bar entry to those not authorized. Hine would also interview children to find out more information about their work schedules and conditions. His photographs and information were published in newspapers, magazines, pamphlets and posters to spread awareness and inspire moral outrage.
Reformers pushed for laws that would set minimum working ages, limit work hours, and require school attendance. While some states passed such legislation, enforcement was inconsistent and often resisted by business owners who relied on cheap child labor. At the federal level, the Keating-Owen Act of 1916 was passed, which sought to prohibit interstate commerce of child-labor produced goods. However, it was declared unconstitutional in 1918 when a cotton mill worker in North Carolina sued stating that congress did not have the authority to regulate the sale of goods manufactured by children.
Despite these setbacks, the child labor movement made steady progress. The broader goals of the Progressive Era—greater social justice, improved working conditions, and expanded education—aligned with efforts to protect children. Eventually, lasting change came with the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, which finally set national standards for all laborers, and prohibited the employment of minors in dangerous or hazardous conditions.
Child labor reform during the Progressive Era laid the groundwork for modern labor protections and reflected a growing consensus that children deserved education, safety, and the opportunity to grow up free from exploitation. It remains a landmark example of social reform driven by compassion, advocacy, and public pressure.
The Gibson Girl

Sweetest Story Ever Told by Charles Dana Gibson 1910. Library of Congress

Gibson Girls at the Beach by Charles Dana Gibson 1898. Public Domain
The Gibson Girl was an iconic figure of American femininity at the turn of the 20th century, created by illustrator Charles Dana Gibson. She first appeared in the 1890s and quickly became a symbol of the ideal woman—independent, stylish, and confident. With her upswept hair, hourglass figure, and fashionable attire, the Gibson Girl represented a blend of traditional beauty and modern ambition.
Unlike earlier depictions of women as delicate or purely domestic, the Gibson Girl was athletic, intelligent, and socially active. She was an upper-middle-class young woman who played tennis, rode bicycles, and wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. At the same time, she maintained an air of elegance and grace that made her appealing to both men and women. Her image appeared in magazines, advertisements, and even on household products, influencing fashion and gender roles.
The Gibson Girl helped pave the way for the changing roles of women in society, reflecting the spirit of the Progressive Era. As women pushed for more rights—like suffrage and access to education—the Gibson Girl offered a visual ideal that balanced tradition with progress. She wasn’t rebellious, but she wasn’t passive either.
By the 1910s, however, the Gibson Girl began to fade as new ideals of femininity emerged, including the flapper of the 1920s. Still, her impact endured. She remains a fascinating cultural icon—an early image of the modern woman who could be both beautiful and bold, elegant and empowered.
Learn the Words, People, and Expressions:
Dahabeah: a passenger boat used on the Nile; shallow bottomed with sails. Used in early 20th century by wealthy travelers
Fountain of youth: a mythical fountain/spring which supposedly restores youth to a person who drinks from it or bathes in it. First appearing in the writings of Greek scholar Herodotus in the 5th century. Similar stories and myths have been told and written through the centuries and associated with Ponce de León who was reportedly searching for it when he was exploring Puerto Rico and Florida in the 16th century.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibson_Girl
https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/gibson-girls-america/overview.html
https://www.encyclopedia.com/fashion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/gibson-girl
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charles-Dana-Gibson#ref177701
https://www.museunacional.cat/en/1900-gibson-girl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dana_Gibson
https://www.cooperhewitt.org/2013/12/26/before-betty-and-veronica-there-was-the-gibson-girl/
https://postcardhistory.net/2024/08/charles-dana-gibson-and-his-all-american-girl/
https://discover.hubpages.com/education/Charles-Dana-Gibson-the-Man-Who-Created-the-American-Girl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Child_Labor_Committee
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Kelley
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lewis_Hine
https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-2-the-reform-movement.htm
https://dp.la/exhibitions/children-progressive-era/reform/child-labor?item=1585
https://www.history.com/articles/child-labor