The Boldness of Betty

Dublin workers unite after pay cuts trigger a strike that reshapes their city and resolves

Dublin 1913

My name is Betty Rafferty. A few weeks ago I had to leave school and go out to work in a cake shop, serving fancy cakes to rude, rich people. No choice.

But since then so much has happened. It all started when old Miss Warby took our pay away. And we walked out!

The whole city - well, all us union members - are going out on strike. Even my dog Earnshaw has joined in!

Life on the picket line in the lashing rain isn't much fun. Lots of people, like Peter Lawlor, just don't understand how unfair everything is. But we workers have to stand together - no matter what!