The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women

After the trial, the women become icons for workers’ rights. Their case leads to a “significant change in the law that protected thousands of vulnerable employees” (435) and “removes a loophole by which corporations could shirk their responsibilities” (435). Pearl Payne writes to Grossman to propose that they form a society that would advocate for workers and provide them with legal aid while lobbying for better legal workplace protections. Grossman held a press conference to announce this and finishes his first legal brief, a copy of which is provided to the press.

Catherine is on her deathbed, visited by friends and family. Thanks to the press coverage, strangers send her letters of solidarity and encouragement, which brings her some comfort.

Grossman continues to work on the long legal briefs, and soon after he hands in the last one, the verdict is announced: Radium Dial is guilty. Judge Marvel orders payment to Catherine of her “past medical expenses, back salary for the entire period” that she couldn’t work, “damages, and an annual life pension of $277 ($4,656) for the remainder of her life” (443). This $5,661 ($95,160) is the maximum under the law.

Two weeks later, Radium Dial files an appeal. During the appeal hearing, Radium Dial asserts that the women were lying about having been instructed to use the brushes, and claims that they had never denied that working with radium was dangerous; this is supported by statements from the Reeds.