Bread and Roses
 The Bread and Roses
Awards are given every year by the Council of Women's Groups in order
to honor the men and women who have made extraordinary contributions
on behalf of gender equity and/or enhanced the quality of life for
women at the University. As the University becomes a better
educational and professional environment for the women on campus, it
also becomes a better environment for everyone on campus.
The name of the award recalls a slogan coined at the beginning of the
century by union women. Striking for shorter workdays and vacation
benefits as well as a decent workplace and higher wages, these women
called not only for "bread," adequate pay, but also for "roses," for a
better quality of life.
As we come marching, marching, in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill lofts gray,
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing, "Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses."
As we go marching marching, we battle too for men
For they are women's children and we mother them again
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until lifes closes
Hearts starve as well as bodies, give us bread but give us roses.
As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient song of bread.
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew.
Yes, it is bread that we fight for, But we fight for roses, too.
As we come marching, marching, we are standing proud and tall -
The rising of the women means the rising of us all.
No more the drudge and idler, ten that toil where one reposes,
But a sharing of life's glories,
Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses.
--Music by Martha Coleman, words by James Oppenheim.
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