The Radicalism of Irish American Women

Women's History Month is celebrated in March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8.
On this week’s show, the Ballot Blocked podcast focuses on the role of Irish American women in the suffrage movement. Many of these women were already veteran organizers. They had led strikes and fought for labor unions in cities across the country. They had also campaigned for land reform in Ireland and for Irish independence. Dr. Tara McCarthy, a professor of history at Central Michigan University and the author of Respectability and Reform: Irish American Women’s Activism, 1880-1920, reflects on the activist history of Irish American women, and how this set them apart from many other suffragists.
Ballot Blocked is produced and hosted by Dr. Eleanor Mahoney. Dr. Sylvea Hollis conducted research and interviews and helped plan the podcast. Drew Himmelstein is the producer and editor. Music is by Podington Bear. The project was made possible through the National Park Service in part through a grant from the National Park Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Also on today’s show, the Heartland Labor Forum’s Judy Ancel tells us about Sarah Lloyd Green -- suffragette, feminist and fiery labor organizer, whose story, like so many women’s, has been all but forgotten.

On this week’s Labor History in Two: Francis Perkins named Secretary of Labor (1933).

Questions, comments or suggestions welcome, and to find out how you can be a part of Labor History Today, email us at LaborHistoryToday@gmail.com

Labor History Today is produced by Union City Radio and the Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor. Hosted this week by Mel Smith, produced by Chris Garlock. 

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Additional music clips from: Sufferin' Till Suffrage, Etta James; Women's Suffrage movement, Schoolhouse Rock.