Worker Portraits events

The Worker Portraits exhibit is on display for the month of February, 2009, at the main branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

On Thursday, February 5, at 7 pm, there's an opening presentation by Sherry Linkon and Alyssa Lenhoff

On Wednesday, February 11, we're inviting people to come share their own work stories in an informal conversation, again at 7 pm.

We'll hold another worker stories conversation on Saturday, February 28, at 1 pm, also at the main library.

Why Workers' Stories Matter

One of the goals of the Center for Working-Class Studies is to make work and workers more visible in American culture. Work is at the heart of human experience. Through work, we support our families and become connected to the community. Work defines who we are, including where we stand in society. For many people, it's where our most important relationships get started. Work structures our time, shapes and sometimes damages our bodies, and affects how we see the world. Work can provide satisfaction or frustration, pride or anger, economic stability or the conditions for ongoing struggle. Sharing stories of work can help us understand how it affects our lives, and understanding can be the first step toward change and growth.

The Worker Portraits project collected stories of workers in the Mahoning Valley, as told by YSU journalism students. But that's just a beginning. On this blog, we hope to share additional stories -- your stories. What's your job like? What does a good day feel like? What's the greatest frustration you face on the job? Send us your stories, and help us make work visible.