How were you inspired by the strength of the "shining girls", and how can you carry that onwards to incite change in your own life?
Created: 07/29/18
Replies: 12
Join Date: 10/15/10
Posts: 3442
Join Date: 02/05/14
Posts: 37
I most definitely was inspired to think more closely and question more frequently any doctor's serious concerns for my health. I will be less prone to try new medical procedures and medications. Currently, my husband is dealing with debilitating pain in his leg. All the doctors we have consulted have a different opinion regarding what might be the cause of this excruciating pain. Each doctor has a different "cure". After reading The Radium Girls, I have been actively researching his "condition" to see which doctor might be right. Before reading The Radium Girls, I tended to be very passive regarding any doctor's diagnosis. That has changed.
Join Date: 04/20/16
Posts: 83
I was inspired by their willingness to go up against powerful men. It is something women have had to and still do cope with throughout their lives. I think the current #MeToo movement is a sign that many women "have had it" with abuse and discrimination.
Join Date: 12/01/16
Posts: 292
I had always tried to do my own research before making any life altering actions, and this book makes just reinforces that decision. I will no longer have blind faith in anyone.
Join Date: 02/08/16
Posts: 537
The bravery of these girls inspires me to question the status quo. One must always look out for themselves and not "go with the flow". Don't be passive and accept what you're told.
Join Date: 06/25/11
Posts: 23
Join Date: 10/23/12
Posts: 85
I look at these women and the support their families and friends gave them as a precursor for the current movements today. They did not have the benefit of a robust media, or social media platforms and cellphones to record and share their experiences and were still able to effect some change. We need to continue to raise our voices using any method available to call out issues that involve human rights and address the wrongs so many vulnerable populations have been dealing with for many years.
Not to do so would minimize the suffering and work that came before.
Join Date: 02/07/18
Posts: 49
I was inspired by their ongoing and continuing efforts to seek out recogniton and help for their plight. They turned around and faced the awful truth of their situation, knew in most cases they were in the process of dying and they still went forward. For women of that time and indeed for women of our own times in difficult situations, they were role model heroines. We all must go on, no matter how difficult the road or how much it hurts, we have to face things down and not run away and hide from Life with all its ambiguities. These were simple women from the working class who helped all thier sisters take the first step up on fighting for our places on the platforms of society, along with our brothers. This was an inspiring book for me.
Join Date: 08/11/18
Posts: 7
Soon after I started this book I saw some of these cigarette smoke commercials using the "scared straight" tactic by showing the aftermath of the litany of health issues you can have as a result of smoking....yet I see millennials outside my office building smoking away. While the radium girls didn't have the media to teach them or tell them, the repeated phrase of "lip, dip" made me want to scream at these kids to pay attention and cut it out! In my own life I did make a health which was to cut out alchohol.
The sad truth of our industrial history is that it repeats itself. Big tobacco is guilty. It makes me wonder what other corporations have buried their health related secrets? Scratched teflon,Tupperware, microwaves, cell phones? Is the rise in Alzheimer's and cancer due to longer life spans or more stuff impacting the our health? This story really makes you wonder who's next?
Join Date: 11/05/17
Posts: 72
Join Date: 05/29/15
Posts: 460
When I was fighting cancer I did a ton of research. I wanted to go into treatment understanding all the pros and cons about the treatment. While in the hospital I was constantly asked to be a guinea pig for trial treatments. I did do one, because I wanted to be helpful, but said never again after I had horrible reactions. These women make me proud and remind me that I too have been strong and will continue to be.
Join Date: 10/03/17
Posts: 6
I think trusting my instincts is important, and not taking "no" for an answer. I continually search for altering opinions to what ails me, especially if my problems are not solved. Just because one doctor has one opinion, doesn't mean he/she is right.
This book has also inspired me to look a little harder at items I ingest, especially in commercially-made food products, and to no longer simply dismiss warnings by so-called whistle blowers. Maybe it is worth doing my own research, for the sake of my health and the health of my family.
Join Date: 03/22/12
Posts: 353
I admired the way the women pushed on for an answer. This was especially admirable because of the era in which this occurred. It is a good idea for all of us to be alert as to what we eat, medicines we take and products we use. Big business is not always our friend.
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