Bread and Roses

In 1911, women workers battle for respect in offices, agencies, and factories-sometimes with lethal results.

In 1911, Julia Nye works as a typist-and more-for the St. Louis Police Department. She is also lending her efforts and reputation to the local chapter of the Women's Trade Union League, which is fighting for better working conditions. When a member of the WTUL, one of Julia's new friends, is murdered, Julia expects to join the police in the investigation.

But her boss and mentor, Chief Wright, is out of town, and the newly appointed Chief of Detectives is opposed to new-fangled policing in general and to the presence of a woman in the department in particular. He gives Julia an ultimatum: leave the investigating to the men or lose her job, the position that has meant so much to her.

And the decision will have consequences, as the Chief of Detectives arrests the brother of a WTUL immigrant woman on prejudice as much as on evidence. Julia has decisions to make, a new marriage to balance, and an investigation to follow to a dangerous confrontation.