This illustration portrays the 1982 garment workers' strike in Manhattan, a pivotal moment led predominantly by immigrant Asian women. These workers, many of whom were recent arrivals earning low wages, rallied against employers who subjected them to hazardous working conditions and unfair pay. They demanded protections and fair contracts through union representation.
At the heart of the artwork is a symbolic sewing machine, prominently placed on Sixth Avenue, also known as the Avenue of the Americas. Surrounded by towering skyscrapers that evoke the feeling of a man-made canyon, the scene highlights the stark contrast between the workers' struggles and the grandeur of the cityscape. Another illustration in this series also reflects the shared challenges faced by both young and older Asian immigrant women, for whom garment work
