Radium Girls
The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore – Discussed on
Wed Sept. 5, 2018 at Geneseo Public
Library
The
Curies’ newly discovered element of radium makes gleaming headlines across the
nation as the fresh face of beauty, and wonder drug of the medical community.
From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shines bright in the
otherwise dark years of the First World War.
Meanwhile,
hundreds of girls toil amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories.
The glittering chemical covers their bodies from head to toe; they light up the
night like industrious fireflies. With such a coveted job, these “shining
girls” are the luckiest alive — until they begin to fall mysteriously ill.
But
the factories that once offered golden opportunities are now ignoring all
claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women’s cries of corruption. And
as the fatal poison of the radium takes hold, the brave shining girls find
themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America’s early 20th
century, and in a groundbreaking battle for workers’ rights that will echo for
centuries to come.
Written with a sparkling voice
and breakneck pace, The Radium
Girls fully illuminates the inspiring young women exposed to the “wonder”
substance of radium, and their awe-inspiring strength in the face of almost
impossible circumstances. Their courage and tenacity led to life-changing
regulations, research into nuclear bombing, and ultimately saved hundreds of
thousands of lives...
This was a subject that my group
did not know much about. This British
author did lots of research and family interviews to write this book. The reality of so many young women dying due
to men / corporate conspiracy, greed, and lack of communication between the
different American company locations created many emotions for us readers. We were shocked at the doctors and dentists
who became involved in the coverup – they lied privately and at the trials for
money. It was extremely difficult for
the sick women to find anyone to take on their cause. Our group had good discussions. We found this an interesting but long book,
in parts too detailed and wordy. Overall
most of us enjoyed learning about this issue.
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