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It’s time to explore the remarkable life of Margaret Dreier Robins, a powerful yet often overlooked voice in the Eastland disaster narrative. Born into privilege in 1868, Margaret chose to dedicate her life to labor reform and women's rights, becoming a pivotal figure in Chicago's social justice movement.
Key points:
- Margaret's early life and her transition from New York socialite to social reformer
- Her work with the Women's Trade Union League and Hull House alongside Jane Addams
- Her crucial but largely forgotten warnings about the Eastland's dangers before the 1915 disaster
- The shocking disparity in passenger limits: 143 for regular service vs 2,500 for excursion trips
- Her fierce advocacy for proper investigation after the tragedy
- Her tireless work schedule (6 AM to 2 AM) managing both the disaster aftermath and ongoing labor reforms
- Margaret’s husband, Raymond Robins, is equally intriguing— particularly his mysterious 1932 disappearance while en route to meet President Hoover. Found two months later in North Carolina living under an assumed name, his story adds another layer to Margaret's already compelling narrative.
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