The Gossard Girls of Michigan's Upper Peninsula kept our towns going

With a foreword by Lisa M. Fine, Michigan State University, Michigan's Upper Peninsula is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and harsh winters, as well as the mines and forests that supported industrial factories during the 19th and 20th centuries. However, it is often overlooked that there were factories located within the Upper Peninsula, where women were employed. In her book, Phyllis Michael Wong recounts the fascinating tales of the Gossard Girls, a group of women who dedicated their talents to sewing corsets and bras in factories located in Ishpeming and Gwinn from the early 1900s until the 1970s.

As the mines in the Upper Peninsula gradually became depleted and the forests were further diminished, the income generated by the Gossard Girls became vital not only for their own families, but for the local economy as well. Throughout this era, these hardworking women exhibited their political and economic prowess, culminating in a successful four-month strike in the 1940s that marked the end of an arduous eight-year struggle to unionize.

Drawing upon numerous interviews with surviving workers and their families, Wong's book provides a glimpse into the daily trials, triumphs, and joys experienced by these primarily first- and second-generation immigrant women. Moreover, it sheds light on how the Gossard Girls skillfully navigated the constantly shifting societal expectations placed upon single and married women, both in terms of their roles as workers and citizens.

From the intricacies of cutting fabric and distributing materials to the intricacies of getting paid and embracing leisure activities, Wong offers readers a unique and intimate perspective on the world of piecework within the garment industry, as observed from the sewing room floor by these remarkable women.

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