'A Pair of Aces' is about two women who face down the mob in 1930s New York
In this episode of NPR's Book of the Day, authors Heather Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray discuss their historical novel about Eunice Carter and Polly Adler, two women from opposite worlds who united to take down mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York. Carter, the first Black female prosecutor in New York, and Adler, a madam who ran high-end brothels, formed an unlikely partnership that exposed organized crime's exploitation of women through prostitution.
The conversation explores the gender bias and career-family tensions women faced in the 1930s, the collaborative writing and research process behind creating historical fiction, and the often-overlooked contributions of ordinary women who testified against the mob despite significant personal risk. Terrell and Murray emphasize how meaningful social change emerged from collective female action and discuss their efforts to restore these women's stories to the historical record.
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1-Page Summary
Eunice Carter and Polly Adler's Alliance Against Lucky Luciano
Eunice Carter became the first Black female prosecutor in New York in the 1930s, joining Thomas Dewey's elite team fighting organized crime. Despite being married to Harlem's most successful dentist and expected to live as a socialite, Carter pursued law and public service, driven by her activist family's legacy. Her groundbreaking career, however, strained her marriage as her husband faced ridicule over her prominence and success.
Polly Adler arrived in America as a twelve-year-old Russian Jewish immigrant, relying on the streets for survival. She built a reputation for running brothels that functioned as private clubs, prioritizing medical care, protection, and security for her workers. Her fame grew such that "going to Polly's" became a culturally recognized phrase.
These two women from vastly different backgrounds formed an unlikely alliance to expose organized prostitution exploitation. Carter used evidence of mob-linked prostitution, aided by Adler's insights, to successfully prosecute notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano, disrupting the power structure of organized crime in New York.
Gender Bias and Women's Career-Family Challenges
Women pursuing professional roles in the 1930s faced significant resistance. Victoria Christopher Murray describes how Eunice Carter's husband, despite his own success, was mocked by peers who questioned his masculinity because of his wife's achievements. This societal discomfort meant Carter had to navigate a landscape where her ambition wasn't fully supported, even within her own community.
Heather Terrell points out that women like Eunice struggled to fulfill their professional callings while being pressured to remain in traditional roles. Society continues to send mixed messages, demanding that women juggle careers, family, and home responsibilities without additional support or any substantial change in expectations placed on men, making it difficult for women to achieve their career goals.
Collaborative Writing and Rigorous Research for Historical Fiction
Heather Terrell explains that their collaborative process seeks to cover timely and different subjects. For this book, they explored two women advancing good in the world, even if they weren't friends. The process involves three stages: identifying impactful historical women, conducting research to confirm the story's substance, and choosing contemporary themes. Both authors then collaborate on a detailed outline for deeper research into the historical period.
Victoria Christopher Murray emphasizes that historical research continues actively during writing. Writers must investigate period-specific details prompted by narrative demands—such as what cabs were called in the era, what they looked like, and crucially, how Black individuals navigated urban environments and whether cabs stopped for them. These contextual questions highlight the necessity of ongoing research to accurately reflect social dynamics and ensure authenticity in the narrative.
Unlikely Alliances and Female Power in Social Change
Heather Terrell describes the story as one of two unlikely allies—Carter the prosecutor and Adler the madam—uniting for social improvement despite being on opposite sides of the law. Their partnership crosses legal and social boundaries, showing that meaningful change often requires cooperation between those with different backgrounds.
Terrell highlights that real transformation came from the collective power of women who bravely testified against the mob despite danger. This "army of female voices" collectively achieved what individuals could not, illustrating that lasting social change is driven by coordinated action and solidarity among women determined to dismantle oppressive systems.
Women Exploited by Organized Crime Who Helped Bring Down the Mob
Victoria Christopher Murray reflects on her original misconceptions about organized prostitution, admitting she was unaware of the extreme violence women endured within the industry. Research revealed harsh conditions, highlighting the brutality perpetrated by organized crime.
Despite mob threats and intense societal stigma, many women courageously stepped forward to assist in the prosecution of Lucky Luciano. Murray describes these women as fearless for testifying under circumstances that would have given them every reason to be afraid.
Official records often focus on prosecutors and high-profile figures while neglecting the critical efforts of ordinary women victimized by the mob. By bringing attention to these women's courageous actions, the historical record is corrected to honor their essential role in dismantling organized crime and restores agency and respect to women whose stories have too often been forgotten.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Eunice Carter's achievements were groundbreaking, focusing primarily on her as the "first" Black female prosecutor may risk overshadowing the contributions of other Black women in law and public service during the era who also faced significant barriers.
- The narrative emphasizes Carter's family legacy and societal expectations, but it could be argued that many women of the time, regardless of background, faced similar pressures, making Carter's experience not entirely unique.
- The portrayal of Carter's marriage strain centers on her husband's discomfort, but this focus may inadvertently reinforce traditional gender roles by framing her success primarily in terms of its impact on her spouse.
- Polly Adler's brothels are described as prioritizing worker welfare, but this perspective may understate the broader exploitation and dangers inherent in sex work during that period, regardless of management style.
- The alliance between Carter and Adler is depicted as pivotal in Luciano's prosecution, but historical records indicate that many factors and individuals contributed to the case, and the narrative may overstate the centrality of their partnership.
- The text highlights the collective action of women in testifying against the mob, but it may underrepresent the role of male allies, law enforcement, and broader societal shifts in enabling the prosecution of organized crime.
- The assertion that official records neglect the contributions of ordinary women could be challenged by pointing to existing documentation and scholarship that has begun to address and recognize these roles, especially in recent decades.
- The focus on gender bias and societal expectations in the 1930s is important, but it may risk overlooking the intersectionality of race, class, and ethnicity, which also significantly shaped women's experiences and opportunities.
- The collaborative writing process described emphasizes thorough research, but historical fiction by nature involves creative interpretation, which can introduce bias or fictionalization that may not fully align with historical fact.
Actionables
- You can keep a private journal tracking moments when you or others challenge traditional gender roles or expectations, noting the reactions and outcomes, to build awareness of how societal pressures still shape daily life and relationships.
- A practical way to honor overlooked contributors is to write brief, anonymous thank-you notes or messages to people in your community whose efforts often go unrecognized, such as custodians, caregivers, or support staff, acknowledging their impact and resilience.
- You can practice solidarity by discreetly supporting someone facing bias or unfair treatment—such as offering to accompany a colleague to report harassment, or simply listening without judgment—helping to create a safer environment for collective action.
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Eunice Carter and Polly Adler's Alliance Against Lucky Luciano
Eunice Carter, 1930s: First Black Female Prosecutor in New York, Challenged Barriers to Pursue Justice
Eunice Carter: First Black Female NY Prosecutor on Thomas Dewey's Team Against Organized Crime
Eunice Carter becomes the first Black female prosecutor in New York in the 1930s, beginning her career with private practice before moving to women's court. Her abilities and ambition lead her to an elite prosecution team under Thomas Dewey formed to combat organized crime in New York City. This position is unprecedented for a Black woman at the time and places her on the front lines of one of the most significant battles against the mob.
Carter, a Harlem Socialite as a Dentist's Wife, Came From Activist Family With Ambitions Beyond Conventions
Married to Harlem’s most successful dentist, Carter is expected to live as a Harlem socialite. However, her upbringing as the daughter of activists inspires ambitions far beyond those conventions. Driven by her family’s legacy, she pursues a path in law and public service.
Carter's Marriage Faced Challenges due to Pressure and Ridicule Her Husband Experienced Over Her Success and Prominence
Carter’s groundbreaking career and rising prominence place a strain on her marriage. Her husband, despite his own professional achievements, faces pressure and ridicule stemming from Eunice’s public success.
Polly Adler: From Impoverished Immigrant to Renowned Madam, Prioritizing Women's Protection and Dignity
Polly Adler Arrived In America As a Jewish Immigrant at Twelve, Forced to Rely On the Streets For Survival and Opportunity
Polly Adler comes to America as a Russian Jewish immigrant at the age of twelve, alone and vulnerable. With little support, she relies on the streets for survival and opportunity, which shapes her resilience and entrepreneurial instincts.
Adler's Elite Clubs: Control, Care, Security
Adler builds a reputation for her unique approach to running brothels. Her establishments function more as private clubs than traditional brothels, where control, medical care, protection, and security for her workers are prioritized. This environment distinguishes her operations and attracts a powerful clientele.
"Going to Polly's" Became Culturally Recognized, Reflecting Her Status As the Era's Most Famous Mada ...
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Eunice Carter and Polly Adler's Alliance Against Lucky Luciano
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While Eunice Carter was a pioneering figure, her role on Dewey's team was often overshadowed by her male colleagues, and her contributions were not always fully recognized at the time.
- Carter’s transition from private practice to women’s court and then to the organized crime team, though impressive, was not entirely unprecedented for women of her educational background, though her race and gender made her path more challenging.
- The narrative of Carter’s ambitions being solely driven by her activist family may overlook her own personal motivations and the broader context of Black women’s professional advancement during the era.
- The strain on Carter’s marriage due to her career success reflects broader societal pressures, but it is also possible that other personal or relational factors contributed to marital difficulties.
- Polly Adler’s portrayal as prioritizing the protection and dignity of her workers, while partly accurate, does not negate the inherent exploitation and legal risks involved in the sex trade during that era.
- The depiction of Adler’s brothels as elite and secure may u ...
Actionables
- you can identify a personal or professional barrier you face due to societal expectations and take one small, concrete action to challenge it, such as volunteering for a project outside your usual role or sharing your ambitions with someone who might support you, to practice stepping beyond conventional boundaries.
- a practical way to build unlikely alliances is to reach out to someone in your network whose background or perspective is very different from yours and propose collaborating on a small, shared goal, like co-authoring a blog post or solving a mutual problem, to experience the benefits of diverse partnersh ...
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Gender Bias and Women's Career-Family Challenges
Women in 1930s Professional Roles Faced Resistance
In the 1930s, women who pursued professional roles encountered significant resistance from both family and community. Victoria Christopher Murray describes how Eunice Carter's husband, despite his own success, faced social embarrassment because of his wife’s achievements. His friends mocked him by questioning his masculinity, making remarks like "Is your wife the man? You're being the man." This peer pressure highlighted the societal discomfort with women stepping into successful public roles traditionally held by men. For Eunice, this meant having to navigate a social landscape where her ambition and legal work were not fully supported, even within her immediate community, which urged her to stay in more traditional roles instead.
Women Face Contradictions Between Career Goals and Home Duties, Despite Promises Of "Having It All."
Heather Terrell points out that women like Eunice struggle to fulfill their professional callings while being nudged by their communities to remain in traditional roles. Society continues to send mixed messages, demanding that women juggle careers, family, and home respo ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Gender Bias and Women's Career-Family Challenges
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While societal resistance to women in professional roles was significant in the 1930s, there were also examples of supportive families and communities that encouraged women's ambitions, suggesting the experience was not universal.
- Some men and communities may have viewed successful women as a source of pride rather than embarrassment, indicating a diversity of responses rather than a monolithic societal attitude.
- The expectation for women to balance career and home responsibilities has evolved over time, with increasing numbers of men participating in domestic duties, especially in recent decades.
- The narrative may understate the agency and resilience of wome ...
Actionables
- you can create a weekly reflection journal where you track moments when you feel pressured to meet conflicting expectations at work and home, then brainstorm one small action to challenge or reframe those pressures each week (for example, delegating a household task or openly celebrating a work achievement with family).
- a practical way to support women’s professional ambitions in your circle is to intentionally ask women you know about their career goals and offer to connect them with someone in your network who can help, even if it’s just for a casual conversation or adv ...
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Collaborative Writing and Rigorous Research for Historical Fiction
Co-authoring Process Builds Toward a Comprehensive Historical Narrative
Heather Terrell explains that each book in their collaborative process seeks to cover something both timely and different. For the current book, Terrell and Victoria Christopher Murray focused on exploring the idea of two women coming together to advance good in the world, even if they were not friends. Terrell breaks down the collaborative writing process into three stages. The initial stage involves identifying impactful historical women, conducting enough research to confirm the story's substance, and choosing themes that resonate with contemporary relevance and personal interest for both authors. Victoria Nye's third collaboration illustrates an ongoing partnership that leverages these steps. Following this, both authors collaborate on a detailed outline, using it as the foundation for deeper, more focused research into the historical period, thereby ensuring a rich and nuanced narrative structure.
Historical Research Requires Attention During Writing to Uncover Contextual Details in Narrative Scenes
Victoria Christopher Murray emphasizes that historical research continues actively during the writing process. Writers need to investigate period-specific details prompted by narrative demands. For instance, when a character gets into a cab, writers must research what cabs were called during the era, what they looked like, and, crucially, how Black individua ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Collaborative Writing and Rigorous Research for Historical Fiction
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Collaborative writing can sometimes dilute individual authorial voice, potentially leading to less distinctive narratives.
- Focusing primarily on impactful historical women may inadvertently overlook lesser-known figures whose stories are also valuable.
- Preliminary research might not always be sufficient to confirm the substance of a story, as deeper complexities can emerge only later in the process.
- Themes chosen for contemporary relevance may risk anachronism or impose modern perspectives on historical contexts.
- Detailed outlines, while helpful, can sometimes constrain creative spontaneity during the writing process.
- Ongoing research during writing may disrupt narrative flow or slow down the drafting process.
- Emphasizing period-specific terminology and social dynamics can sometimes overwhelm readers or detract from storytelling if not balanced carefully.
- Concentrating on the experiences of Black individuals in urban en ...
Actionables
- you can team up with a friend or family member to co-create a timeline of a historical event, each person researching and adding details from different perspectives to make the story richer and more nuanced
- By dividing the research and narrative tasks, you’ll uncover overlooked details and ensure the story reflects multiple viewpoints, making the final timeline both comprehensive and engaging.
- a practical way to deepen your understanding of historical context is to keep a running list of unfamiliar terms, customs, or social dynamics you encounter while reading or watching period pieces, then look up and briefly summarize each one in your own words
- This habit helps you build a personal glossary and cultural reference guide, making it easier to recognize and accurately use period-appropriate language and concepts in your own writing or discussions.
- you can id ...
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Unlikely Alliances and Female Power in Social Change
Narrative Framework: Two Unlikely Allies Unite Women Across Social Divides for Common Social Improvement
Heather Terrell describes the story as one of two unlikely allies—Carter and Adler—uniting for social improvement despite being on opposite sides of the law. Carter, the prosecutor, and Adler, the madam, join forces to expose mob violence against women and pursue justice, challenging the norms of their respective roles. Although they are not technically enemies, their partnership signifies a collaboration that crosses legal and social boundaries, showing that meaningful change often requires cooperation between those with different backgrounds and perspectives.
The Power of Women Dismantling Luciano's Organization Highlights That Transformation Requires Coordinated Individuals
Terrell highlights that the real transformatio ...
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Unlikely Alliances and Female Power in Social Change
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While cooperation between individuals from different backgrounds can be powerful, it may also lead to ethical compromises or conflicts of interest that complicate the pursuit of justice.
- The narrative may overemphasize the role of women’s collective action, potentially overlooking the contributions of male allies or broader societal factors in achieving social change.
- Focusing on a few prominent individuals (Carter and Adler) might inadvertently minimize the agency and impact of less visible participants in the movement.
- The idea that solidarity among women is always effective may not account for internal divisions, differing priorities, or power imbalances within groups.
- Legal and social boundaries exist for reasons that can include protecting vu ...
Actionables
- you can reach out to someone in your community whose background or perspective is very different from yours and invite them to collaborate on a small project that addresses a local issue, like organizing a neighborhood safety walk or starting a shared resource list, to experience firsthand how unlikely partnerships can spark change.
- a practical way to build collective power is to start a private group chat with a few women you know, where you regularly share challenges you face and brainstorm ways to support each other, whether that means sharing contacts, advice, or simply encouragement, so you can practice coordinated action in everyday life.
- you can document and anonymously ...
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Women Exploited by Organized Crime Who Helped Bring Down the Mob
This story focuses on the women who suffered abuse at the hands of organized crime but ultimately played a pivotal role in bringing down notorious mobsters like Lucky Luciano.
Victimized Women Show Courage By Aiding Lucky Luciano Prosecution
Prostitution Industry Perpetrates Severe Violence Against Women: Research and Stories Reveal
Victoria Christopher Murray reflects on her original misconceptions about organized prostitution, admitting she was unaware of the extreme violence and abuse women endured within the industry. Research and personal stories revealed the harsh conditions these women faced, highlighting the brutality and exploitation perpetrated by organized crime.
Victim-Witnesses Courageously Testified Despite Mob Threats and Societal Stigma
Despite ongoing threats from the mob and the intense societal stigma attached to their involvement in prostitution, many women courageously stepped forward to assist in the prosecution of figures like Lucky Luciano. According to Murray, they faced grave dangers and overwhelming pressure, yet their commitment to justice was unwavering. She and her co-author Maria often describe these women as fearless for testifying and participating in the case, even during circumstances that would have given them every reason to be afraid.
Honoring Forgotten Women: Recognizing Contributions to Dismantling Organized Crime
Records Highlight Prosecutors, Madams; Overlook Ordinary Victims' Resistance
Official records and historical narratives often focus on prosecutors and high-profile figures such as madams, while neglecting the critical efforts o ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Women Exploited by Organized Crime Who Helped Bring Down the Mob
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- While the bravery of victim-witnesses is significant, some historians argue that the primary factors in bringing down figures like Lucky Luciano were law enforcement strategies, legal innovations, and the work of prosecutors, rather than victim testimony alone.
- Some scholars note that not all women involved in organized prostitution were solely victims; a minority may have exercised agency or participated in the system for complex reasons, complicating a purely victim-centered narrative.
- The focus on women’s roles in these prosecutions, while important, should not overshadow the contributions of other marginalized groups or law enforcement personnel who also faced risks and played key roles.
- There is debate among historians about the extent to which individual testimonies versus broader social and legal chan ...
Actionables
- you can keep a personal journal where you regularly note stories or news about overlooked individuals who show courage in difficult circumstances, then reflect on how their actions challenge common narratives and what you can learn from their resilience
- By actively seeking out and recording these stories, you train yourself to notice and value the contributions of people who are often ignored, which helps shift your perspective and conversations toward recognizing hidden bravery.
- a practical way to honor forgotten acts of resistance is to write thank-you notes or messages to organizations that support survivors of exploitation, specifically mentioning your appreciation for the courage of those who speak out
- This simple act not only acknowledges the bravery of survivors but also encourages organizations to continue highlighting these stories and can inspire others to do the same.
- you can ...
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1-Page Summary- Eunice Carter and Polly Adler's Alliance Against Lucky Luciano
- Gender Bias and Women's Career-Family Challenges
- Collaborative Writing and Rigorous Research for Historical Fiction
- Unlikely Alliances and Female Power in Social Change
- Women Exploited by Organized Crime Who Helped Bring Down the Mob
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