 Again , in response to a severe economic depression and the high costs of living , in January 1836 , the Board of Directors of Lowell 's textile mills absorbed an increase in the textile workers ' rent to help in the crisis faced by the company boarding house keepers . As the economic calamity continued in October 1836 , the Directors proposed an additional rent hike to be paid by the textile workers living in the company boarding houses . The female textile workers responded immediately in protest by forming the Factory Girls ' Association and organizing a " turn @-@ out " or strike . Harriet Hanson Robinson , an eleven @-@ year @-@ old doffer at the time of the strike , recalled in her memoirs : " One of the girls stood on a pump and gave vent to the feelings of her companions in a neat speech , declaring that it was their duty to resist all attempts at cutting down the wages . This was the first time a woman had spoken in public in Lowell , and the event caused surprise and consternation among her audience . " 
