Dec. 11, 2025

When Flint Fought Back: Genora Johnson and the Strike That Changed America

When Flint Fought Back: Genora Johnson and the Strike That Changed America

This episode begins with a cinematic reenactment of the Flint Sit-Down Strike and Genora’s electrifying moment on the picket line. From her kitchen-table organizing to the chaos outside the plants, Genora’s bravery becomes the doorway into a deeper story about labor, power, and the long shadow cast over America’s auto industry.

Apple Podcasts podcast player badge
Spotify podcast player badge
RSS Feed podcast player badge
Pandora podcast player badge
Deezer podcast player badge
iHeartRadio podcast player badge
Apple Podcasts podcast player iconSpotify podcast player iconRSS Feed podcast player iconPandora podcast player iconDeezer podcast player iconiHeartRadio podcast player icon
Season 6

In 1937, a 23-year-old Flint woman stood between General Motors security, Flint police gunfire, and the workers fighting for their lives inside Fisher Body.
 Her name was Genora Johnson Dollinger — and she did more than rally the Women’s Emergency Brigade.
She dodged bullets for the UAW and helped spark a labor uprising that reshaped the American middle class.

This episode begins with a cinematic reenactment of the Flint Sit-Down Strike and Genora’s electrifying moment on the picket line. From her kitchen-table organizing to the chaos outside the plants, Genora’s bravery becomes the doorway into a deeper story about labor, power, and the long shadow cast over America’s auto industry.

👉Subscribe to The Mitten Channel

Join us for the full experience. Subscribe to The Mitten Channel on Substack to receive our latest narrative essays, audio stories, and deep-dive reporting directly in your inbox.

Explore Our Series:

  • Radio Free Flint: Narrative storytelling and community perspectives on industrial resilience.
  • The Mitten Works: Essential history and analysis of labor and economic policy.
  • Flint Justice: Critical insights into the legal and institutional challenges facing our state.

Visit our Mitten Channel website for our complete library of podcasts, videos, and articles.

The Mitten Channel is a production of Radio Free Flint Media, LLC. © 2026 All Rights Reserved.



Visit our website at www.radiofreeflint.media to subscribe to our free newsletter to receive our latest episodes.

Chapters

00:00 - Resolve To Hold The Plant

00:13 - Women Lead The Picket Strategy

00:33 - Turning The Strike’s Momentum

Transcript

WEBVTT

00:00:06.240 --> 00:00:07.759
We're done talking, boys.

00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:11.359
It's time to sit down and hold this plant until they recognize the UAW.

00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:12.800
Yeah, let's do it.

00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:15.519
We'll be back home soon enough, Joe.

00:00:15.679 --> 00:00:18.239
We just got a whole lot to hold out longer than they expect.

00:00:18.239 --> 00:00:20.320
Look here, this is where they'll try to break the line.

00:00:20.320 --> 00:00:21.839
But what about the governor?

00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:23.519
He won't intervene if we stand firm.

00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:25.039
Counting on us.

00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:29.600
Our husbands and sons are inside that plant, and we must protect them.

00:00:29.600 --> 00:00:31.519
They think we will not let out.

00:00:31.679 --> 00:00:33.119
But we are stronger.

00:00:33.119 --> 00:00:37.359
Take up the food, ladies! We march together to that gate.

00:00:40.799 --> 00:00:43.600
That single act reversed the momentum of the strike.

00:00:43.600 --> 00:00:45.280
Food was brought back in.

00:00:45.280 --> 00:00:53.920
If the occupation they underestimated the resolve of the American worker, but we have courage, and we will win this fight!