Women of Steel is an activist-arm of the USW that evolved from the early women’s caucuses that demanded that women have their rightful place in our union. Originally, WOS was designed as a Leadership Course for union sisters to learn how the union works and is still offered in each district annually, but now, the USW Constitution requires that each local union with female members establish a Local Union Women’s Committee. All female members of the USW are considered Women of Steel regardless of their union-position or the industry or service they work in, some are activists, and some serve on their local’s Women’s Committee.
To continue the march toward full equality, Women Steelworkers gathered at the 2018 International/National Women’s Conference to commit ourselves to act, individually and together within our union, on important issues.
Read about the hazards and health issues specific to women workers, ideas for taking action in local unions, tools and other resources.
Click for the full report gathered by the U.S. Dept. of Labor in March 2022 on how overrepresentation in undervalued jobs disadvantaged women during the pandemic.
The Commission on the Status of Women is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives around the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
THE NATIONAL SURVEY OF WORKING WOMEN has captured the priorities of nearly 25,000 working women who are politically engaged and poised to take action in their communities, their unions and at the voting booth.
To secure women’s rights and economic empowerment, women’s participation in labor markets must be transformed.
Andrea Hunter, President of USW Local 1299 and Detroit/Downriver chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute, was one of many advocates who played a role in overturning this ban, propelling a lawsuit that inspired the bill.
More than 1,000 passionate union activists descended upon Pittsburgh for the 2023 USW International Women’s Conference, where they took part in several days of educational workshops and celebrated the Women of Steel who give the union its strength.
“El primer principio fundacional de nuestro gran sindicato establece que nuestro propósito es unir a todos los trabajadores, independientemente de su credo, color o nacionalidad.
Every person—regardless of their ethnic, national, religious, gender, or romantic identity—deserves health and safety in their workplaces and in their communities. This Pride Month we recognize and recommit to this crucial founding principle of our union.
Randie Pearson
Director, USW Women of Steel
(419) 779-0446
