Final answer:
Florence Kelley and the National Consumers League fought to improve labor conditions in the 1890s, focusing on ending child labor, championing for worker protections, and influencing consumer behavior to boycott products made by children.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1890s, Florence Kelley and the National Consumers League (NCL) embarked on a mission to combat abusive labor conditions, with a special focus on ending child labor and improving the welfare of workers. As the first general secretary of the NCL, Kelley was a formidable advocate for labor reform, spearheading investigations into sweatshops and championing government regulation to protect workers, which led her to become the first female factory inspector. The NCL, founded by Jane Addams and Josephine Lowell, certified products that did not use child labor and promoted the boycott of goods produced under deplorable conditions, while also lobbying for legislative reforms like anti-child labor laws and workplace safety codes, particularly after the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire highlighted the dire need for change.
The NCL's efforts were not only aimed at labor reforms, but also at informing and guiding consumer choices to support ethical labor practices. Florence Kelley's dedicated work extended to her involvement in the creation of a federal Children's Bureau and the eventual passing of legislation safeguarding children in the workplace. Her legacy is intertwined with the broader Progressive movement's endeavours to secure social justice and regulatory policies during the turn of the century.