This book recognizes 11 women who helped to build the U.S. labor movement. In chapters based on oral history interviews, they tell stories illustrating the turmoil, hardships, and accomplishments of thousands of other union women activists. Chapter 1, "An Overview: And Not Falling Out," describes individual differences, connecting themes, and collective lessons. Titles and subjects of chapters 2-12 are as follows: "Equal Is Equal, Brothers"--Lillian Herstein, American Federation of Teachers; "First a Troublemaker, Then a Troubleshooter"--Carmen Lucia, United Hatters, Cap, and Millinery Workers International Union; "You Can't Giddyup by Saying Whoa"--Esther Peterson, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America; "We Did Change Some Attitudes"--Maida Springer-Kemp, International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union; "Forty Years I'm Secretary-Treasurer of the Local"--Mary Callahan, International Union of Electrical Workers; "The Challenge Is Still There"--Ah Quon McElrath, International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen's Union; "Sometimes You Have to Rock the Boat"--Dorothy Haener, United Auto Workers; "The Vote Does Make a Difference"--Fannie Allen Neal, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America; "Just Sign a Contract and You Can Call Me Anything"--Jessie De La Cruz, United Farm Workers of America; "Somebody Has to Have the Guts"--Catherine Conroy, Communications Workers of America; and "People in the Plant Looked on Me as a Fighter"--Alice Peurala, United Steelworkers of America. A postscript provides a union update. Appendixes include notes, 113-item bibliography, and index. (YLB)