Article Photos: ‘The Help' renews interest in women who clean homes, now and in the past

Mary Upshaw McClendon, 87, founded the Household Workers Organization in 1969. The new movie "The Help" highlights the plight of women who worked cleaning the homes of others at a time when that was almost the only job available for them. McClatchy-Tribune photo <strong>REGINA H. BOONE</strong>

Mary Upshaw McClendon, 87, founded the Household Workers Organization in 1969. The new movie "The Help" highlights the plight of women who worked cleaning the homes of others at a time when that was almost the only job available for them. McClatchy-Tribune photo REGINA H. BOONE