“Lowell Girls” To work in their new mills, the company hired young women from nearby farms. The Lowell

girls, as they came to be called, usually worked for a few years in the mills before returning home to marry.
These young women, and women like them in other mill towns, made an important economic contribution to American society by providing labor for the Industrial Revolution. Most sent their wages home to their families. At first, parents hesitated to let their daughters work in the mills. To reassure parents, the company built
boardinghouses, or buildings with many shared bedrooms and a kitchen that served meals. The company also made rules to protect the young women.

Why did many early factory owners hire women and children?

Many early factory owners hired women and children because they were willing to work for lower wages than adult men. They were also seen as more docile and easier to manage. Additionally, women and children were more likely to accept dangerous and difficult working conditions.