The Last Ballad by Wiley Cash

1929 and for both the black and white mill workers in Bessemer City North Carolina times can't get much harder.  Ella May finds herself husbandless and with four near starving children to feed worn out from working long shifts at the mill six days a week for a few dollars.  She writes songs and after singing one at a rally to organize a union, she becomes a believer and one of their most energetic supporters.  As she fights for both white and black workers to unionize her singing and reputation grows gaining attention from the wrong people.  Gritty, honest and heartbreaking - Ella May's story is just one of many women - fighting to support her family working exhausting hours both inside and outside the home without the respect or equal pay.  It seemed to me that mules and farm animals were given more care than these industrious courageous women.