Honoring the Legacy of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Through Education
On March 25, 1911, a devastating fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, claiming the lives of 146 workers, most of them young immigrant women. Trapped by locked doors and unsafe working conditions, they had no way to escape. The tragedy shocked the nation and led to some of the most significant workplace safety reforms in American history, including New York’s Workers’ Compensation Law.
Today, more than a century later, the legacy of the Triangle Fire lives on—not just in the labor laws it helped shape but in ongoing efforts to support the families of injured workers. One of these efforts is the Triangle Fire Memorial Scholarship, which provides $6,000 per year to children of workers who were permanently disabled or lost their lives due to workplace accidents.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
For over 20 years, workers’ compensation attorneys across New York have come together to support this scholarship, ensuring that the children of injured and fallen workers have access to higher education. This initiative reflects a continued commitment to protecting the rights of workers and their families, just as the reforms that followed the Triangle Fire sought to do.
At Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP, we are honored to support the Triangle Fire Memorial Scholarship by sponsoring a scholarship in memory of Lewis L. Heller, a prominent workers’ compensation attorney and former partner at our law firm.
“Our firm is so proud to contribute to a cause that both honors the past and makes a meaningful impact on the future,” said Managing Partner Edgar Romano. “The Triangle Fire was a turning point in the fight for workers’ rights, and this scholarship ensures that families affected by workplace tragedies receive the support they need. Sponsoring this scholarship in honor of Lewis Heller reflects his lifelong dedication to advocating for injured workers.”
How to Apply for the Triangle Fire Memorial Scholarship
The Triangle Fire Memorial Scholarship is available to students whose parents suffered permanent disabilities or fatal injuries due to workplace accidents. Eligible applicants can receive $6,000 per academic year to assist with tuition and educational expenses.
If your family has been affected by a workplace injury, you may qualify for this scholarship. To learn more and apply, visit the Triangle Fire Memorial website at www.trianglememorial.org/scholarship.
A Lasting Commitment to Workers and Their Families
At Pasternack Tilker Ziegler Walsh Stanton & Romano LLP, we believe supporting injured workers goes beyond the courtroom. By contributing to this scholarship, we help ensure that the children of those who sacrificed so much in the workplace have opportunities to pursue their dreams.
As we commemorate the 114th anniversary of the Triangle Fire, we remember not only the lives lost but the progress that came from their tragedy. And we remain committed to protecting and fighting for injured workers and their families—today and in the future.