Special Thanks to the Following Artists
The Artists listed below have given written permission for use of their original work specifically in the independent documentary Stark Men of Steel. No reproduction, distribution, or use outside of the film is permitted or lawful.
MS. SUE BURTON Author and Poet
Ms. Burton graciously provided an original reading of her poem inspired by The Little Steel Strike where three steelworkers were killed by company-hired security forces during a strike to gain union representation in 1937 at Republic Steel in Massillon, OH*. Her reading appears in the film Stark Men of Steel. Her books of poetry are available online from Amazon Books.
MS. JOY HARJO U.S. Poet Laureate (2019-2022) & Professional Musician
Ms. Harjo graciously lent a recording of her original flute solo for use in Stark Men of Steel to enhance the opening segment acknowledging First People (Paleo-Indian) in Stark County, Ohio
Joy Harjo is an internationally renowned performer and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She served three terms as the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States from 2019-2022 and is winner of Yale's 2023 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry.
PROFESSOR KELLY PHELPS and PROFESSOR KYLE PHELPS
Professor Kelly Phelps (Xavier University) and Professor Kyle Phelps (University of Dayton) have exhibited their work at over 200 international art museums and galleries. Locally, their work appeared in the 2015-2016 show, Blue Collar Sculptures at the Canton Museum of Art.
“Our research interests includes social-political representation through the use of visual narratives; the human figure as image and ideal; multiple topics including, race, class, and the working class /blue-collar; material meaning and process. We have been working with these ideas/themes for a number of years and feel that there is still so much more for us to explore and to create. The topics /themes that we create are forever fresh and timeless.”
“Before entering the world of academia, becoming professors, tenure, and sabbatical, the twins experienced first-hand what the struggles of the working class was really about. The twins grew up in a blue-collar/factory environment in Indiana where they were inspired by family members and friends who worked in various manufacturing plants, steel mills, and foundries. These everyday people became working class heroes that has inspired over a decade of working class art.” Some of their art work appear, by their permission, in the documentary film Stark Men of Steel.
SWAMP TRASH BAND, USA
The band has generously lent use of recordings of some of their original music. The main song "Tired of the Color Blue" was written and performed (vocals) by Mark A. Wright. The band has performed live in the Washington, DC metro area and in Virginia.
More information about their music is available at www.swamptrashband.com
Special Thanks to Those Who Have Contributed Their Memorabilia
Many individuals have contributed photographs and historic memorabilia for use in the documentary. The film would not be so powerful without their generous support. See the Film Credits for a complete list of Contributors.
SMOS thanks the local chapter of SOAR (Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees) for their document contributions and their Little Steel Strike memorial events.
*The Little Steel Strike was a national CIO-organized steelworker strike affecting several cities including Chicago, Pittsburgh and other factory locations in addition to Massillon OH.