Hear My Sorrow: The Diary of Angela Denoto, a Shirtwaist Worker is a book by Deborah Hopkinson. It was the last book in Dear America, before the series was relaunched in 2010. The book was first published in October 2004 by Scholastic and a new eBook edition was released in January 2014.
Dedication
- "With love and gratitude to Robert Aitken and in memory of Anne Aitken. Thank you for your dedication to peace and social justice, and for showing the way."
Book description
- "Tuesday, November 23, 1909
I bent to my work. Everything seemed as usual. But it was not.... I could hardly keep sewing straight seams. We worked for two hours. There was only the sound of machines and Mr. Klein's voice, urging us to work faster. Around ten o' clock, Ruth stood up, took a whistle from her pocket, and blew it. "I now declare a strike in this shop!" All together we rose up out of our seats. Mr. Klein began to wave his arms and yell, "Girls! Sit down! Sit down!" No one listened. Without a word we took our coats and hats. And we walked out."
Plot
Characters
- Main article: List of Hear My Sorrow characters
Author
- Main article: Deborah Hopkinson
Editions
Acknowledgments
- "Writing Hear My Sorrow has been a deeply rewarding experience. I have learned so much, and wish to thank the many people who helped make this book possible. Throughout this project I was fortunate to meet Amy Griffin, Lisa Sandell, and Beth Levine, three amazing and talented editors. I am especially grateful to Lisa for her encouragement and thoughtfulness, and to Amy for her enthusiasm and unflagging support. Thanks also to Steven Malk, my agent, for setting me on the path that led into this fascinating period of history. I feel fortunate to have had the advice of two scholars whose writings and research have been extraordinarily helpful. Donna R. Gabaccia, Charles H. Stone Professor of American History at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, was thorough and generous in reviewing the manuscript, and her book on social change among Italian immigrants on the Lower East Side was invaluable. Dr. Gabaccia introduced me to Dr. Jennifer Guglielmo, Assistant Professor of History at Smith College, whose research enabled me to better understand Italian labor history during this period, and who also gave generously of her time to read the manuscript and respond to queries. Any errors are my own. A special thanks goes to author Susan Campbell Bartoletti, whose advice during one long phone call was more helpful than she probably ever imagined, and whose work I deeply admire. I would also like to thank the staff members who assisted me with research at libraries and museums, especially Patrizio Sizione and Barbara Morley at Cornell University's Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, and the library staff of the Museum of the City of New York, the New York Public Library, the Library of Congress, the New-York Historical Society, and New York University. Mahalo to my dear friend Elisa Johnston, her daughter Kate, and late mother Laurie Johnston, for welcoming me into their family home on Jones Street in Greenwich Village. I will always remember our visit to the Lower East Side Tenement Museum. My husband, Andy Thomas, and my children, Rebekah and Dimitri, who bring me joy every day. I am fortunate to have many people whose friendship and support sustains me day to day. A special thanks to my sisters, Janice Fairbrother and Bonnie Johnson, my friends, especially Michele Hill, Vicki Hemphill, Deborah Wiles, and Jane Kurtz, and all my Whitman College colleagues."
References
See also