The Harvey Girls by Juliette Fay

In this episode of Historical Happy Hour, host Jane Healey chats with bestselling author Juliette Fay about her new novel The Harvey Girls. Together, they uncover the fascinating, little-known history of Fred Harvey’s hospitality empire, the young women who became Harvey Girls, and how this unique role transformed their independence in the 1920s. Fay shares insights into her research, character development, and writing process—while also reflecting on women’s opportunities, the challenges of historical fiction, and the surprising cultural impact of the Harvey Houses across the American Southwest