Memoirs & Coffee Book Group to Discuss "The Radium Girls" 

Bernardsville Library’s book group, Memoirs and Coffee, will meet on Tuesday, July 24 at 10:30 am to discuss "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women" (2017) by Kate Moore. [The author will not be present.]

The Curies' newly discovered element of radium made gleaming headlines across the nation as the fresh face of beauty and the wonder drug of the medical community. From body lotion to tonic water, the popular new element shone bright in the otherwise dark years of the First World War. Hundreds of girls toiled amidst the glowing dust of the radium-dial factories. The glittering chemical covered their bodies from head to toe; they lit up the night like fireflies. With such a coveted job, these "shining girls" were considered the luckiest alive — until they begin to fall mysteriously ill. But the factories that once offered golden opportunities ignored all claims of the gruesome side effects, and the women's cries of corruption. The brave shining girls found themselves embroiled in one of the biggest scandals of America's early 20th century and in a groundbreaking battle for workers' rights.

"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.

No registration is needed to come to this free library book discussion led by Pat Kennedy-Grant. Please call Bernardsville Library at 766-0118 for more information.