She Persisted: Clara Lemlich by Deborah Heiligman; New York: Philomel Books; © 2021; ISBN 9780593-115725; 45 pages plus acknowledgments, references, and bibliography; PJ Our Way.
By Cailin Acosta
LA MESA, California – In 1886, Clara Lemlich was born in a small village in Ukraine, which then was considered a part of Russia. Jewish people were not considered equals to non-Jewish people and lived in constant fear of being killed or attacked for their beliefs.
Boys were allowed to attend school, while girls were expected to behave and remain quiet. Clara wanted to attend the village school to learn Russian and other subjects, but since she was Jewish, she was not allowed to do so. She taught herself to read at night as everyone was asleep.
Clara and her family fled to America since the situation in Russia was getting worse. She started working in clothing factories in the Lower East Side, only to realize that workers were being treated unfairly. She stood up for the rights of female workers, improving their treatment in America.
Clara spoke up for what was right. She was vocal about women being able to vote. She boycotted butcher shops and bakeries that increased their prices.
This book is recommended for 6-9-year-old readers. It is a wonderful example of a Jewish woman who did not take “no” for an answer.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.