Book Club

1900 – 2000: A Century of Women and Work
Ontario Federation of Labour and Workers Arts & Heritage Centre, 2007
Ontario Federation of Labour (www.ofl.ca)

1900 – 2000: A Century of Women and Work is the companion booklet to “A Century of Women and Work” Art Exhibit sponsored by the Ontario Federation of Labour and the Workers Arts and Heritage Centre. It is a short, lush book honouring the work of current artists as they, in turn, honour the memory of the women who built the labour movement over the previous century. The book is divided into ten chapters- each focusing on a decade. The chapters begin with a work of art and the artist’s statement. The art varies in style and media, and most are well displayed. Unfortunately, some do not show well in this small form. Only the acrylic-on-canvas paintings are best served by the book.

Each chapter tells the story of the biggest event related to women in the workforce of that decade. The 1900-1910 story is about the discriminatory labour and immigration laws of the period and women in domestic service. The 1940-1950 chapter discusses the effect World War II had on discrimination (particularly, although not exclusively, relating to Japanese Canadians) and women entering heavy industry. The 1960-1970 chapter relates to the effect of the movement against the war in Vietnam and the rise of the Women’s, Black, Gay and Lesbian and Native movements.

The book is brief and therefore does not go into much historical detail, but each narrative is thoroughly researched and well told. Each chosen piece of art is powerful, evocative and moving.

Anne Brunelle is a Freelance Writer and Career Coach & Resume Writer in private practice.