A 1913 strike by women millworkers in Camas features in a new novel by West Linn author Dede Montgomery. Montgomery is a semi-retired industrial hygienist (a scientific expert on workplace health and safety), a sixth-generation Oregonian, and the wife of former West Linn mayor Russ Axelrod. Since 2019, she’s published several works of fiction and memoir. The latest, “A Map of Her Own,” tells the connected stories of a crabfisherwoman in the Astoria of 2024 and a millworker making paper bags in the Camas of 1912.
For historical research, Montgomery drew on a dissertation about the strike by Bradley Richardson, executive director of Clark County Historical Museum. Retired labor educator Marcus Widenor also read a draft and contributed suggestions. Montgomery also had a personal connection: her great great grandfather was on the board of directors at the mill.
Montgomery will present the book at several upcoming events:
- West Linn Book launch party at Willamette Ale & Cider House, 1720 Willamette Falls Dr., Sunday, Oct. 19, 4-6 p.m.
- Portland Conversation with author Maura Doherty at Annie Blooms Books, 7834 SW Capitol Highway, Thursday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.
- Eugene Conversation with author Miriam Gershow at Tsunami Books, 2585 Willamette St., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m.
- Portland Conversation with author Carolyn Dasher at Bold Coffee & Books, 1755 SW Jefferson St., Friday, Nov. 14, 7 p.m.
