Massachusett's Update
By: Izzi O'Gorman
A Mill Girl's Life
Recently, a mill was opened right here in Waltham, Massachusetts. This isn't any ordinary mill you might have heard of, this mill is employed by unmarried women and only unmarried women. These women are paid between $2 to $4 each week. The workers must pay for room and board, which is $1.25 per week. Also, the women are encouraged to use their free time to join clubs and take classes. Now, you're probably thinking, "well, what's so bad about this mill?" Hold on, because I'm about to tell you. It's the working conditions. The working conditions are very poor, dangerous even. Imagine this. You go to work, which starts at 4:30 AM. You get there, and it's hot and stuffy because the windows are closed. Suddenly, you feel the urge to start coughing because the air is extremely dirty and it causes many workers breathing problems. You're told to pull your hair back, because if you don't, there is a very good chance it will get stuck in a machine. Now, you began to work and you wince because when you straighten the threads as they enter the loom they cut your hands. You continue your day getting a break when you can. You end your day at 6:30 PM. When you get home you go to bed so you're ready for your next day to begin.
That is the life of a mill girl. They come here because most of them previously worked on a farm. They must come here because the farm is too physical, so usually the men work on the farms. Along with that is the fact that they need the money for their family. Now you know what it's like to be a mill girl.
Today
Monday
Partially cloudy with a high of 76 degrees.
Tuesday
Cloudy until noon with a slight chance of rain. There will be a high of 74 degrees and a low of 68.
Wednesday
Thunderstorm beginning at 3:00 AM. High of 70.
Thursday
Cloudy all day with a high of 72 degrees.
Friday
Sunny with a high of 78 degrees.
Saturday
Hot and humid with a high of 86 and a low of 80 degrees.