I Am a Teamster : A Short, Fiery Story of Regina V. Polk, Her Hats, Her Pets, Sweet Love, and the Modern-Day Labor Movement

by Unknown

• ISBN13: 9781893121355
• ISBN10: 1893121356
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2008-05-01
• Publisher: Everything Goes Media Llc
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Summary

Detailing the life of relatively unknown yet remarkable American labor leader Regina V. Polk, this biography describes the Teamster as a warrior, a champion, and a humanitarian who spent her life living fully, caring deeply for those around her, and advocating for the things she believed in, particularly the dignity of all work and all workers. Indie Excellence Award - Finalist - Regional Non-Fiction - 2009 A Whole-Hearted Life On Valentine's Day, 1950, a beautiful and determined child was born with a birthmark between her eyebrows in the shape of half a heart. She spent the rest of her life living fully, caring deeply for those around her, and advocating for the things she believed in, particularly the dignity of all work and all workers. She recognized early the growing service and clerical sectors of the economy and the need to unionize this overlooked group of low-paid employees. An utterly compassionate and confident woman, she sparkled with excitement and mystery. Her intelligence and passion were formidable. She lived easily in a world of comfort and high culture as well as that of the streets, the workplace, and the tough, male-dominated union halls. Regina V. Polk was a Teamster. A warrior. A champion. A humanitarian. And the most remarkable American labor leader you haven't heard of until now.

Author Biography

Terry Spencer Hesser has had the pleasure of telling stories in print, on television, and on the stage for three decades. A recipient of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting Gold Award, three Emmys, and a host of other honors, she has searched for vampires in Transylvania, Limburger Cheese in Wisconsin, the meaning of a black canvas at The Art Institute of Chicago, and told the life stories of people ranging from Robert McCormick to Regina Polk. She has also taught children about AIDS and adults about mental illness. Her book Kissing Doorknobs received an ALA award and her play about Elvis was called "the funniest show in town" by FOX News. She has enjoyed working with Audrey Hepburn, Oprah Winfrey, and R. Kelly.  Her story on Mackinac Island documents one perfect summer day on Michigan's treasured island. Terry is currently working on two more programs on islands without cars (Sark, in the English Channel and Hydra in Greece) and is busy documenting Homer Bryant's Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Academy Center. An avid skier, former scuba diver, and boxing fan, Terry is a world traveler and eager student of…whatever captures her imagination next.