Mighty Force: Dr. Elizabeth Hayes and Her War for Public Health

In the last half of 1945, Dr. Elizabeth O. Hayes, MD, a mining company doctor, resigned to protest intolerable living conditions in Force, PA. 350 miners followed her in a strike, attracting national media attention and leading to the foundation of the town. Press - including women reporters - flocked to champion her cause, and she became the heroine of an environmental drama. President Harry S. Truman referred her grievances to his justice department, which handed her a victory. Force is the only book written about Hayes, and readers interested in feminism, the environment, corporate accountability, and the World War II home front will be excited to discover this engaging, untold episode in womens history.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 15 November 2021
Publisher: Prometheus Books

In the latter half of 1945, a remarkable woman emerged as a focal point in the news, her story intertwining with accounts of the war's conclusion and its aftermath. Her name was Elizabeth O. Hayes, and she held the position of a doctor for a mining concern that controlled the town of Force, Pennsylvania. Force, unfortunately, faced numerous challenges, including the contamination of drinking water due to sewage, the immobilization of ambulances on muddy unpaved roads, and the recalcitrant refusal of corrupt management to address sanitation issues, despite their lavish high-rise accommodations in Manhattan.

Dr. Hayes' decision to resign in protest against the intolerable living conditions she encountered sparked a powerful response. Over 350 miners joined her in a strike, causing a seismic shift in the town's foundation and drawing the attention of the national media. Press, including women reporters temporarily assigned to national news desks during wartime, flocked to Force to champion Dr. Hayes' cause.

Dr. Hayes, known as "Dr. Betty," was a captivating figure, characterized by her slim build, blonde hair, and youthful 33 years of age. She became the heroine of an environmental drama that captivated the nation, complete with mustache-twirling villains, unexpected twists, setbacks, and a predominantly satisfying conclusion. News outlets such as Business Week and the Daily Worker applauded her bravery and determination. Woody Guthrie even composed a song in her honor. Soldiers, following her progress in the military newspaper Stars and Stripes, showered her with fan mail, and a Philadelphia newspaper even recommended her prescription for others: "Rx: Get Good and Angry."

President Harry S. Truman took notice of Dr. Hayes' grievances and referred them to his justice department, which ultimately secured a victory for her. Force stands as the sole book, popular or academic, dedicated to the remarkable story of Hayes. Readers with an interest in feminism, the environment, corporate accountability, and the World War II home front will find immense excitement in uncovering this captivating, previously untold episode in women's history. Fortunately, a fascinated press meticulously documented Hayes' words and actions through numerous news pieces. Author Marcia Biederman has skillfully compiled these pieces, sourced from major news outlets and small local papers.

Weight: 464g
Dimension: 163 x 236 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781633887084