These Shining Lives
the true story of the “Radium Girls”
Based on the true story of Catherine Donohue. Ms. Donohue was hired to work at The Radium Dial Factory in Ottawa, Illinois. Paid by the watch, the women were encouraged to dip the brush in their mouths for a finer point. The solution they used though had radium in it so the watches would glow in the dark. Guaranteed they were safe, many women fell ill, Catherine Donohue one of them. She fought back though and sued the company, winning right before she passed away. Her trial and one in NJ set the precedent for changing labor union laws for generations to come.
Produced by Infinite Variety Productions
Written by Melanie Marnich
Subject matter: worker’s rights, labor unions, science
Production History
May 2013- the Tank Theatre. Directed by Bridget Leak. Featuring Ashley Adelman, Maura Zooey Barry, Holly Kay Benedict, Jake Cullens, Dave Herigstad and Petol Weekes.
Sept. 2013 - Performed a section of “These Shining Lives” for The Cultural Committee’s Health and Occupational Safety Seminar in NYC at The New York Academy of Medicine.
2018 - the Kraine Theatre and For The Farmingdale Bethpage Historical Society for women’s history month. Directed by Jessica Schechter. Stage managed by Tobie Goldberg and Carina Don. Featuring Andrew Dunn, Darla Juniper, Jessica Mosher, Kara Hankard, Katya Collazo, Robert Whiston.
