The Great Depression and World War II precipitated much change in the world around America and in America itself. These times witnessed America’s transition from a inwardly struggling economy into an international leader for human rights. Coal-mining towns transitioned from being operated by companies into independent villages responsible for their own self-government. As described in Biederman’s biography, the forgotten but strong figure Dr. Elizabeth Hayes led the way in pushing for modernization of these coal towns.
Hayes accomplished this by advocating for public health in her patients’ community. Her goals were plain. She wanted miners and their families to choose their medical care instead of having the company choose for them and also sought for them to own and run their own villages. These changes would make miners more responsible for their own upkeep because the companies felt pressure to serve the bottom line over public health.
To reach these goals, Hayes led the miners on a boycott over several weeks. Despite some hardship and push-back, they basically accomplished these aims for their town. Of course, with so much focus on financial and management, the courts became involved and through the courts, the media and then the masses. Both the media and the people loved the idea of a single woman leading a miners’ strike. She even faced personal hardship for them by having her house and clinic overtaken. As detailed in this book, these local changes soon culminated in changes by other coal-towns all over the country.
Biederman, a former mystery author and present-day journalist, keeps the action flowing throughout this book. As its main weakness, this book does not contain much character development. All the people are relatively static and unchanging. This is understandable, though still sad, given that Biederman’s source materials were mainly newspapers of the era, focused on quick stories instead of the evolving human saga. Some inner life and psychological focus would have been helpful, though, amidst all of the business material.
This book will gain readers especially among readers who appreciate a strong female protagonist. It also has historical value by elucidating the tenor of America amidst World War II. Women (and minorities) were relied upon during the distress of the war years, only to be pushed back into their prior roles. This story illustrates this trend well. People like Elizabeth Hayes showed that disadvantaged people could enact positive change and remain strong. Her story has not been widely shared in book-format prior to this biography. We are fortunate to have this tale available in print and preserved for the historical record.
A Mighty Force: Dr. Elizabeth Hayes and Her War for Public Health
By Marcia Biederman
Copyright (c) 2021
Prometheus
ISBN13 9781633887084
Page Count: 208
Genre: Public Health, Biography
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