We Paved the Way: Black Women and the Charleston Hospital Workers' Campaign

by O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight

186 pages, Hardcover

Published October 15, 2025

Reviews

[nerena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dr. Dixon was the first history professor I took a course with at Winthrop University. This class fueled the flames for my passion of history which led me to taking African American history courses with her, with my favorite course being Black Women in America. Through the course she discussed the plight of black women in America and highlighted the experiences of the black women involved in the Charleston hospital strike of 1969. This book dives deeper into the history of the strike as well as the rich history of Charleston, SC and the struggles of the African Americans who lived in Charleston and on John’s Island. The book tells the story of these women not by painting them in the narrative of saviors, but showing how far black women are willing to go to ensure they are treated fairly and given the same respect as their white counterparts. I recommend this book to everyone who wants to dive deeper into the Civil Rights movement in South Carolina as well as those interested in the experiences of black women in America.