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The Workers

 

The sewing room was the province of the Tirocchi staff, all of whom were young women from the surrounding area. Paybooks in the Tirocchi archive have identified many: Emily Valcarenghi Martinelli, Mary Traverso, Mary Riccitelli Basilico, and others. Although some were Italian born, archival research has revealed that most of their families had come to Providence at least ten years previously and had already achieved entrepreneurial success and home ownership. many of the employees came with sewing skills well developed. Other Tirocchi workers were of Irish, French, or Yankee heritage.

Anna Tirocchi (seated, in black) and her employees
Photographed in the Butler Exchange shop wearing shirtwaists and skirts, the working woman's uniform at the turn of the century; ca. 1912.
Tirocchi Archive.

 

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