Sticking to the Union

Sticking to the Union relates the vibrant life of Julia Ruuttila (1907-1991), a political radical and labor journalist in the Pacific Northwest. Ruuttila's life of activism provides a much-needed woman's voice in the history of labor and social activism in the twentieth century. Ruuttila worked for civil liberties, civil rights, and peace organizations throughout her life, supporting striking workers, taking part in lunch-counter protests against businesses that discriminated against African Americans, and demonstrating against the Vietnam War. Polishuk provides insightful historical context for Ruuttila's own lively words. A unique and important perspective on American struggles of the twentieth century emerges in this engaging story of an irrepressible, hard-nosed woman.

"what a life!" - Publishers Weekly

"Sandy Polishuk's Sticking to the Union is the best kind of oral history, bringing to life a person and an era quickly passing out of reach.." - Elinor Langer, author of A Hundred Little Hitlers

"Sticking to the Union is a fabulous oral history, Julia Ruuttila a compelling subject, and Sandy Polishuk, a thoughtful scholar who allows Ruuttila's voice to drive the narrative, but who also probes the intersections of ego and memory to present the many truths of Ruuttila's life story." - Mary Murphy, Montana State University

"This is a gem. Julia Ruuttila gives an imaginative, vivid account of her hard times and struggles as a labor radical, feminist, anti-racist, and internationalist peace advocate in the Pacific Northwest." - Michael Honey, Harry Bridges Chair of Labor Studies, University of Washington

"Sandy Polishuk deftly explores the challenges of history and memory in this fascinating oral history biography of Julia Ruuttila: consummate union, civil rights, and peace activist of the Pacific Northwest . . . The story of this extraordinary woman should inspire a new generation of activists." - Laurie Mercier, author of Anaconda: Labor, Community, and Culture in Montana's Smelter City and Associate Professor of History, Washington State University Vancouver."As one of the first volumes in Palgrave's Studies in Oral History series, Sticking to the Union sets high standards for subsequent series contributors to match." - Journal of American History

Sandy Polishuk teaches women's studies at Portland State University.