Premilla Nadasen’s “Household Workers Unite” Draws Positive Reviews in Feminist, Trade, Mainstream Press

February 3, 2016
Premilla Nadasen’s “Household Workers Unite” Draws Positive Reviews in Feminist, Trade, Mainstream Press

Strong reviews from feminist, trade, and mainstream press for Premilla Nadasen’s Household Workers Unite: The Untold Story of African American Women Who Built a Movement.  Nadasen is Associate Professor of History at Barnard College and co-director of CSSD’s working group on Social Justice After the Welfare State.

Deesha Philyaw in Bitch Magazine wrote that Household Workers Unite is the story of “the help” helping themselves while Kirkus Reviews claimed, “Valuable for its recovery of a largely neglected piece of labor history, particularly one in which race, class, immigration, and gender intersect, this work may prove most useful as a how-to guide for those looking to effect change in the landscape of the new economy.”

In The American Prospect, Rachel Cohen wrote that “Nadasen’s book is a powerful reminder that 20th century activism, led by some truly incredible women, has helped to make our present-day victories possible.”

Ms. Magazine‘s Michelle Chen wrote that “Nadasen’s account comes at a particularly relevant moment. Domestic-worker activism is experiencing a renaissance today, as housekeepers, nannies and other care workers campaign for labor protections like overtime pay and paid sick leave.”

Sara Catterall wrote in Shelf Awareness that “Nadasen overturns the popular image of African American domestic workers in the mid-20th century as passive caretakers and victims. Instead, she shows that they redefined domestic work as a profession deserving decent pay, proper training and respect, and built influential local and national labor organizations. Household Workers Unite adds a significant contribution to the history and ongoing discussions of labor organization, feminism and civil rights.”

Purchase the book here.