Dying for Work: Dangerous Trades for Women (1880s-1960s)

This talk by Geoff Rayner-Canham explores "Dying for Work: Dangerous Trades for Women (1880s-1960s)" presented through the Royal Society Of Chemistry. Discover the untold stories of women in hazardous occupations including the pickling girls, match girls, canary girls, porridge mixers, radium girls, and calutron girls. Learn about these dangerous trades that women were forced to work in, with their horrifying accounts compiled together for the first time. The presentation also highlights five key individuals who fought for women workers' rights and safety: Alice Hamilton, Annie Besant, Grace Fryer, Joan Hinton, and Karen Silkwood. This 47-minute talk, delivered on May 20, 2025, sheds light on an important but often overlooked aspect of women's labor history.