Introduction
In “Only Strong Women Stayed: Women workers and the National Floral Workers Strike, 1968-1969,” Falcon states that the corporate leaders at Kitayama Corporation’s floral operation in Brighton, Colorado deliberately exploited the cheap labor available in the area. But one day a woman of conviction stood up against injustice and abuse to fight for the rights of her friends and co-workers” (Falcon, 2003, p.140). The result of that passionate action to help others was the creation of the women-led National Floral Workers Organization or NFWO (Falcon, 2003, p.140). This is an example of what one woman can initiate and what a group of women can achieve if they stay the course and not give up.
Main Body
Kitayama Corporation moved into Brighton, Colorado to take advantage of the high concentration of “Chicanas” and “Mexicanas” in the area. The real purpose is to exploit low wages while at the same time increasing revenue by forcing them to work long hours and not provide them the facility needed to ensure a safe and conducive working environment. Consider the following report “women were not provided protective clothing or coverings of any kind to prevent them from getting wet or injured … women came to work dry and went home wet after working nine-to-ten-hour days, including Saturdays” (Falcon, 2003, p.154). Guadalupe Briseno changed everything but helping them get organized.
Conclusion
For many years the women that were employed at the Kitayama Corporation endured sexual harassment, inhumane working conditions and low-pay. They were unable to stand up to speak for what is right. The only time they were able to received what they deserve came when they learned to organize themselves under a passionate leader who taught them not to give up and not to give in.