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The endless struggles of the poor people who had to make their living working for the cotton mills is something I don't think anyone today can truly comprehend. The misery and abject poverty many of them faced, day in and out, would naturally lead some to support a strike, if even it didn't seem like it would accomplish much. The woman at the center of this story is Ella Mae Wiggins, a woman just trying to survive the existence of working at a Bessemer City mill for $9 a week. I won't go into a
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This book left me speechless, but I’m probably biased. I’m a sucker for North Carolina fiction and books set during/based on real events. Combine that with this author’s powerful storytelling and I’ve got a new addition to the short list of books I want to recommend to everybody.
I do not usually write about books. I have lived in Gastonia Nc for over 40 years. I knew of the Loray Mill Strike and the death of Chief Orville Aderholt but never had I heard of Ella May Wiggins. This book is hauntingly beautiful. So sad. Ella a strong lady who loved her children. She was so strong and wanted so much a better life for. her children and others who were so poor that they never had a chance in life. Exceptional book
This book is based off of a true story of a very courageous and strong woman named Ella Mae Wiggins. Like Wiley Cash wrote in his Afterword, I too am from Gaston County and have never heard of the life of Ella Mae Wiggins. It wasn't until I moved in to the newly renovated Loray Mill Loft Apartments that I began to explore the history of the building through the amazing history museum and photographs here on site at the Mill. After reading this book I have found a new appreciation for yet another
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Loved the book! I too am a Gaston County native but had not heard of Ella May Wiggins until a few years ago. The telling of this story through different characters kept me reading.
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Oct 19, 2017
James
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Dec 07, 2017
Andrew Pierce
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Feb 15, 2018
Alexas
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Apr 03, 2018
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Andrea
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Dec 12, 2019
Bella Cornell
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