Publishers Weekly
06/06/2022
Labor activist Cassedy (We Are Here), cofounder of 9 to 5, the association of working women that inspired the movie 9 to 5, delivers an inspirational if uneven account of her organizing efforts in the 1970s and ’80s. Noting that many female office workers of the era didn’t consider themselves feminists or were afraid of repercussions from their male bosses, Cassedy details the innovative approaches she and other leaders took, including lunchtime meetings and publicity pranks. She also shares stories of harassment and discrimination collected from the group’s members and documents the condescending treatment the organization received from male union officials. Discussions of internal drama in 9 to 5 are kept to a minimum (“There were occasional conflicts and blowups,” Cassedy admits, “but for the most part we functioned as a team”), and an intriguing section on the group’s concerns about the plot of the 1980 comedy is cut short to sing the praises of stars Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, and Dolly Parton. Details about Cassedy’s romantic relationship with fellow labor activist Jeff Blum also feel somewhat out of place. Still, this is an entertaining and occasionally enraging reminder of just how long and hard the fight for women’s equality has been. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
"In her latest work, feminist trailblazer Ellen Cassedy takes us through her journey as a founder of the 9 to 5 movement, where ten brave women came together to take a stand against sexism in the workplace. Their battles fought at the intersection of the women’s movement and the labor movement are even more relevant today, making Working 9 to 5 a must-read for any activist or reader in search for a piece of inspiration.” —Liz Shuler, president, AFL-CIO
“The 9 to 5 movement inspired organizers and working women everywhere. Finally, sexism that was a part of working women’s lives was exposed and became a rallying cry to address what so many women endured just to earn a living. This engaging book by Ellen Cassedy gives a behind-the-scenes look at the organizing behind this important movement, and how it inspired a generation of women to stand up for themselves and their sisters for fairness on the job.” —Cecile Richards, cofounder, Supermajority; former president, Planned Parenthood
“In these days of hard times for unions and workers, it’s good to have Ellen Cassedy to remind us of a struggle that looked pretty hopeless when it started but made a big difference. Women’s work is still undervalued and underpaid, so what are we waiting for? Read Working 9 to 5 for the story of a not-so-distant past that could help us figure out how to make a better, fairer future.” —Katha Pollitt, The Nation“A fresh and timely resource for labor educators that underscores the power of workers to change conditions inside and outside the workplace.” —Mary Bellman, president, United Association for Labor Education (UALE)
“Working 9 to 5 imbues social history with practical knowledge about movement-building and the day-to-day work of collective power. The timing for this book couldn’t be better—as labor’s popularity surges, especially among young workers, people are seeking exactly these kinds of stories for inspiration and guidance.”—Michelle Miller, cofounder and co-executive director, Coworker.org
“We at the Fight for $15 stand on the shoulders of women who organized before us. The story of 9 to 5 is inspiring for organizers today!”—Ciara Fox, Wisconsin lead organizer, Fight for $15
“History we can learn from, and be inspired by. The women of 9 to 5 joined together for respect, recognition, and rights, paving the way for so many of today’s organizing efforts for economic and gender justice.”—Ai-jen Poo, cofounder and executive director, National Domestic Workers Alliance; cofounder and director, Caring Across Generations; cofounder, SuperMajority
“The women of 9 to 5 were among the first in modern labor history to model the significance of community/labor partnerships, not simply as a general alliance but as a necessity to build worker power and women’s power in the face of racial and gender discrimination. We are their legacy. And we owe it to them to continue the fight.” —Erica Smiley, executive director, Jobs With Justice, coauthor of The Future We Need
“An engaging first-person look at a group of amazing women who changed workplaces across America. Cassedy takes us back in time, lets us feel the thrill and uncertainty, the courage and verve of the small band of women who spoke the truth they saw, learned to organize, and broke the mold of the obedient secretary.” —Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, Academy award–winning filmmakers of 9 to 5: The Story of a Movement and American Factory
DECEMBER 2022 - AudioFile
Part history lesson and part manual for social change, this audiobook is an inspiring listen. Hillary Huber pulls listeners in with an engaging optimistic tone as she narrates Cassedy's compelling memoir of founding the 9 to 5 movement and all that followed, including the iconic movie. In 1973, 10 women came together in Boston to address problems in the workplace, including sexism, unequal pay, discrimination, and more. With a behind-the-scenes look at their personal stories and the challenges they faced, the story also reminds us of how far we’ve come while providing a framework for future activism. Huber's passion, humor, and authenticity pull listeners in as she provides the historical background of the movement and a roadmap for the future in the continued fight for equality. K.S.M. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
