We Were Promised: How an Appalachian Grandmother Fought a Corporate Giant

This rousing debut account from independent researcher Flint profiles fiery West Virginia activist Karen Gorell, who spearheaded a successful grassroots campaign to get insurance benefits for retired aluminum workers. The Century Aluminum plant in Ravenswood, W.Va., where Gorrell’s husband Mike had worked since the 1970s, terminated its retirees’ health insurance plans in 2010. Flint recaps how plant employees like Mike had knowingly sacrificed their health working in the plant’s toxic conditions, under the belief that a robust retirement health insurance plan would help manage any “chronic conditions.” After the plan was canceled, Gorrell felt compelled to act—particularly on behalf of a former coworker of Mike’s who was suffering from an aggressive cancer. At first, Gorrell naively assumed that if elected officials could just “shake the retirees’ hands” at a townhall-style meeting, they would be moved to help. She found, instead, that most politicians ignored her pleas. Undeterred, Gorrell moved on to more confrontational encounters, including protesting the chair of the board at his home in suburban Cleveland, and culminating in 2011 with a 77-day Occupy-style encampment at the plant. Flint’s detailed reportage captures Gorrell’s folksy humor and refreshing forthrightness. (“If [your boss] doesn’t have the balls to call me back, he needs to be man enough to tell me,” Gorrell tells one flustered corporate underling on the phone.) It’s an inspiring granny vs. Goliath tale. (Oct.)