The Radium Girls by Kate Moore chronicles the devastating effects of radium poisoning on young female workers at the Radium Luminous Materials Corporation and Radium Dial, and their subsequent legal battle against the corporations. The book tells a cautionary tale about the dangers of corporate greed and the lack of health regulations, highlighting the bravery and perseverance of women like Katherine Schaub and Catherine Donohue. The book contains graphic descriptions of medical conditions and procedures.

Kate Moore's The Radium Girls is praised for its gripping storytelling and thorough research, bringing to light the tragic and inspiring stories of the women poisoned by radium in the early 20th century. However, some reviews note that the narrative occasionally gets bogged down by excessive detail, potentially slowing the pace. Overall, it's a compelling read that captivates and educates.

Readers captivated by real-life stories of resilience, women's history, and industrial disasters will find The Radium Girls by Kate Moore compelling. Fans of Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot will appreciate the meticulous research and narrative of triumph over injustice.

Dark / Informative / Emotional / Unnerving / Inspirational

- The Radium Girls by Kate Moore highlights how the tragedy of the young female workers who were exposed to radium led to historic legislation over workplace safety standards.
- The book provides an in-depth look at both the personal lives and the legal battles of the women, showcasing their courage and resilience in fighting for justice against powerful corporations.
- Kate Moore extensively researched the historical context and personal narratives, even visiting the hometowns of the women, to authentically capture their poignant and powerful stories.

**Marie and Pierre Curie**  
Discoverers of radium and pioneers in radioactivity, their fame drove the "radium mania" of the early-20th century.

**Grace Fryer**  
An intelligent, politically inclined young woman from Orange who joins the suit with Katherine, Albina, Quinta, and Edna.

**Katherine Schaub**  
An imaginative, sociable dial-painter from Newark who begins work at 14 and aspired to be a writer.

**Albina Maggia**  
Sister to Mollie and Quinta; a devoted dial-painter from an Italian family.

**Mollie Maggia**  
A social and friendly dial-painter, her autopsy provided valuable evidence of radium poisoning effects.

**Quinta Maggia**  
A down-to-earth and friendly dial-painter close with Grace Fryer.

**Edna Hussman**  
A religious, kind dial-painter who loved music.

**Sabin von Sochocky**  
The Austrian-born doctor and inventor of Undark paint; founder of USRC.

**Arthur Roeder**  
A successful businessman who moved from treasurer to president of USRC.

**Clarence B. Lee**  
A vice president of USRC.

**Edwin Leman**  
The chief chemist of USRC who died of radium poisoning.

**George Willis**  
Cofounder of USRC with Sabin von Sochocky.

**Harold Viedt**  
A vice president of USRC.

**Dr. Joseph Knef**  
Mollie Maggia’s dentist and an expert on rare mouth diseases.

**Dr. Walter Barry**  
Dentist who treated dial-painter Irene Rudolph.

**Dr. Robert Humphries**  
Doctor at the Orange Orthopedic Hospital.

**Dr. Frederick Flinn**  
A company "doctor" without a license who deceived the women.

**Dr. Harrison Martland**  
Newark doctor who invented tests to detect radium in the body.

**Dr. James Ewing, Dr. Lloyd Craver, Dr. Edward Krumbhaar**  
Doctors appointed by USRC to examine the women.

**Dr. Alice Hamilton**  
A professor at Harvard School of Public Health and ally to Katherine Wiley.

**Andrew McBride**  
Commissioner of the Department of Labor.

**Dr. Cecil K. Drinker and Dr. Katherine Drinker**  
Husband-and-wife team at Harvard School of Public Health.

**Ethelbert Stewart**  
Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

**Dr. Frederick Hoffman**  
Investigating statistician at Prudential Insurance Company.

**John Roach**  
Deputy commissioner of the Department of Labor.

**Katherine Wiley**  
Executive secretary of the Consumers League in New Jersey, advocate for the radium girls.

**Lenore Young**  
An Orange health officer and ally to Katherine Wiley.

**Swen Kjaer**  
National investigator from Bureau of Labor Statistics who visited Ottawa.

**Dr. Martin Szamatolski**  
Consulting chemist for the Department of Labor.

**Raymond Herst Berry**  
The young lawyer for Katherine, Grace, Albina, Quinta, and Edna’s case in Orange.

**Josiah Stryker**  
USRC company lawyer.

**Jay Cook**  
Lawyer who fought for dial-painters’ workers compensation.

**Leonard Grossman**  
Famous lawyer known for defending poor and working-class people.

Kate Moore

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Before You Read

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Overview

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue

The Radium Girls Prologue Summary & Analysis

Part 1: “Knowledge”

Part 1, Chapters 1-3

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 4-8

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 4-8 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 9-12

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 13-19

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 13-19 Summary & Analysis

Part 1, Chapters 20-25

The Radium Girls Part 1, Chapters 20-25 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Power”

Part 2, Chapters 26-30

The Radium Girls Part 2, Chapters 26-30 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 31-36

The Radium Girls Part 2, Chapters 31-36 Summary & Analysis

Part 2, Chapters 37-40

The Radium Girls Part 2, Chapters 37-40 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Justice”

Part 3, Chapters 41-47

The Radium Girls Part 3, Chapters 41-47 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 48-52

The Radium Girls Part 3, Chapters 48-52 Summary & Analysis

Part 3, Chapters 53-56

The Radium Girls Part 3, Chapters 53-56 Summary & Analysis

Epilogue and Postscript

The Radium Girls Epilogue and Postscript Summary & Analysis

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Key Figures

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Themes

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Symbols & Motifs

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Literary Devices

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Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

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Introduction

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Before Reading

The Radium Girls Before Reading

During Reading

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After Reading

The Radium Girls After Reading

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women

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