Women Have Always Worked: A Concise History (Working Class in American History) offers a comprehensive exploration of how work has influenced the lives and sensibilities of women across diverse social strata since colonial times. Author Alice Kessler-Harris delves into the public and private spheres where women have labored, covering a wide range of groups including housewives, trade unionists, immigrants, African Americans, professionals, menial laborers, and those from various class backgrounds. The book examines pivotal issues such as the gendered nature of success, social activism, and the evolving concept of citizenship for female wage earners. This second edition includes updated content and a new chapter that traces women’s journey into the early 21st century, addressing contemporary challenges related to race, sex, and class in the emerging information society.