Josie Fowler and her final book

Just over a year ago, my good friend Josie Fowler passed away after a long battle with breast cancer. I first met Josie while living in the Twin Cities and can honestly say she was one of those rare human beings who bring joy and love into the lives of everyone they meet. I couldn’t begin to recount all my great memories of Josie, so let me just say I miss her deeply. I will also share a moving tribute from another of Josie’s friends.

Another thing I want to share with you is Josie’s life work, or one aspect of her life’s work. Her book Japanese and Chinese Immigrant Activists: Organizing in American and International Communist Movements, 1919-1933 was recently published by Rutgers University Press and I recommend it to everyone with an interest in community and activist organizing. While the book is a heavily researched academic examination, it is also a fascinating read. I remember all the work Josie put into researching this subject in her final years and I’m glad her work is now being shared with others. I’m also glad that Josie learned shortly before her death that the book had been accepted for publication.