July 2022 Book - Wed., the 13th @ 7PM
The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women
By: Kate Moore
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.
About the Book Author website Book Review Companion Website Author InterviewDiscussion Questions:
- What part of the story affected you the most? Was there a particular character that resonated with you?
- How you you visualize this story playing out today? Would the presence of online access impact the decisions of the characters, companies, and lawyers?
- Because of these girls we now have laws protecting against hazardous working conditions, Where can we improve? Where would workers rights be without these women?
- How do you believe the companies and the media would have reacted differently to these events if the workers had been male?