Reviews, Endorsements, and Media Interviews
"The story of Polk's life is told well in the biography and includes a wealth of information on a truly dedicated unionist."
- Jim Carlile, TeamsterMagazine.com
"Imagine an environment dominated by men unconsciously comfortable with sexism, racism, and brute force. Further imagine a young working-class woman courageously embracing the principal of justice for all workers and compelled to navigate a terrain dominated by complex, flawed, sometimes deeply compromised and always powerful men. Such elements are typically the ingredients of wonderful fiction, but in Terry Spencer Hesser's colorful and personal portrait of labor leader Regina V. Polk, we have a truly inspirational story for anyone who believes in fighting against the power of patriarchy and abusive employers. I Am a Teamster is how Regina Polk defined herself and in the accounts of her tragically brief life, as told by Ms. Hesser, the reader finds an exemplary model of what the very best of union leaders can offer workers and society."
- Robert Bruno, Director of Labor Education Program, University of Illinois
"After working in the cotton mills from 1956 until 1973 when I was fired from J.P. Stevens in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina, for working to organize a union, I can appreciate the hard work and challenges that Regina Polk faced as one of the first woman Teamster leaders. It is sad that I had not heard about Regina Polk before reading I Am a Teamster. Polk was a woman with so much love, courage, and knowledge of labor laws. She was a woman as dedicated, as intelligent, and as tough as her idol Jimmy Hoffa. This is a wonderful educational book for anyone who wants to know about organizing the unorganized. It also does a wonderful job of honoring a woman who 'felt that it was more important to actually help one person than to talk about saving the world.'"
- Crystal Lee Sutton, "The Real Norma Rae"
"After reading about Regina Polk, you'll wish you had known her, especially if you are of her generation--a baby boomer in your late fifties or early sixties. This biography by Terry Spencer Hesser portrays a dynamic, determined organizer who pried doors open for women in the labor movement and who entered the world of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) Local 743 and rose to leadership in the large Chicago local....It is likely appealing to a youthful audience that would find Polk's life story unusual and interesting. Undergraduates or young working people might take inspiration from Polk's commitment and zest for life...Hesser presents the story of a very inspirational figure from recent labor history: Regina Polk. The contributions to labor of Regina Polk and other women of her generation need to be compiled, examined, and cherished."
- Louise Simmons, University of Connecticut, Labor Studies Journal, Volume 34, Number 4, December 2009
"A story of compassion and desire to change the world, I Am A Teamster tells an unknown story well worth reading..."
- Library Bookwatch, Midwest Book Review
"...colorful, touching, inspiring, sad and yet filled with hope...the book takes the reader on a fast-paced journey through the very short but amaziningly full life of this young labor leader."
- Amazon.com, 5-star review
"I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting tobe inspired, anyone who is pursuing labor studies, or anyone who would like toread the story of a woman whose life was dedicated to helping those who needed someone to speak out for them"
- Amazon.com, 5-star review
In Print
Q&A
with I Am a Teamster Author
Terry Spencer's interview with
Teamster Magazine
"Author
Hesser Looks at Pioneering Polk"
Northwest Indiana Times,
"Shelf Life," 12/20/2009
Featured in Today's Chicago Woman Book Club, "Inspiring Guidance From One Woman to Another"
Radio
Portrait
of Regina Polk
Terry Spencer's interview on WBEZ radio's 848,
1/9/2009
Terry
Spencer on the Linnda Durre Show
Interview on WEUS-AM 810 (Central
Florida), 12/30/2009
Online Radio
Kick-Ass Woman in History: Regina Polk
Terry Spencer's interview on Blog Talk Radio's "Women Making a
Difference," 1/18/2010
Regina
Polk Love
Terry Spencer's interview on Blog Talk Radio's "Females
with a Mission," 11/20/2009
Terry
Spencer and I Am a Teamster
Terry Spencer's
interview on Women's Radio Network
Online
"Book
Report: I Am A Teamster by Terry Spencer
Hesser
Highwayscribery: Politics, Poetry, and Prose, 9/5/2009
"Chicago's
Women Union Leaders Win Praise"
Berger-Marks Foundation
newsletter
For press kits and review
copies of all Lake Claremont Press titles, and for information
on media
interviews, bookstore/library programs, and other
events,
contact Sharon Woodhouse at 312/226-8400 or sharon@lakeclaremont.com.