‘Radium Girls’ named One Book, One Community selection for Sarasota County for 2020

Author Kate Moore scheduled to offer remarks at Jan. 31 events in Sarasota and North Port

Image courtesy Sarasota County

Kate Moore’s The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women has been chosen for Sarasota County’s One Book, One Community program for 2020, the county’s Libraries and Historical Resources Department has announced.

The book tells “the true story of unsafe and deadly workplace conditions for female workers during World War I,” a news release points out. The women initially painted radium on watch dials; later, on military equipment, at factories in New Jersey and Illinois, a news release explains. “Many experienced painful, disfiguring and fatal cancers as a result of their exposure to radium,” the release adds. “These young women began a race-against-time fight for justice that would forever change US labor laws,” the release points out.

Renee Di Pilato, director of the Libraries and Historical Resources Department, said in the release that the book was an inspiring choice for the One Book program “because of its honest look at the country’s history.”

“The purpose of the One Book, One Community program is not only to encourage discovery of new literary voices, but to shine a light on historical topics from which we can learn,” added Di Pilato in the release. “This true story, as written by Kate Moore, is probably one that most of us have never heard but that’s exactly why it’s such an important story to share.”

“The program has recognized local authors as well as world-renowned writers,” the release continues. “A committee selects the One Book title and then hosts a public event with the author and readers. This celebration includes follow-up programs at county libraries and other venues,” the release explains. “Anyone can participate in One Book, One Community by attending a library event” or hosting his or own book discussion.

Author Moore, will speak and sign books at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 31, at Suncoast Technical College in North Port, the release notes. The college is located at 4445 Career Lane in North Port.

Moore also will speak and sign books at 7 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Selby Public Library, located at Five Points in downtown Sarasota.

“Visit the library’s online calendar to register for these free events after Dec. 1,” the release says.

For more information, call the county Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.