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.
Click to read the full text of the ILO Convention Standard concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work.
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.
While the end-of-summer heat pressed on throughout the Midwest, two more groups of Steelworkers turned up the dial on their activism by completing the Women’s Leadership Course this past August.
Local 1196, the Battle of Homestead Foundation, local historical societies and other activists, held a day-long series of events on Aug. 26, to honor a true Woman of Steel, Fannie Sellins, on the 100th anniversary of the fierce activist’s murder.
A new generation of leaders have stepped in to take the helm. Among them, the largest group of women to ever hold leaderships positions in the union at once.
Women of Steel from District 11 spent some time at the Minnesota State Fair by collecting signatures from attendees in support of the Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act.
Director of Women of Steel
Ann Flener
(412) 562-2443
