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.
This Working Mothers Issue Brief highlights employment characteristics, the changing structure of families, the poverty status of working mothers and their families, mothers as sole or primary earners, and unpaid caregiving and household responsibilities.
This is a central and searchable repository of federal government resources, tools, and publications of interest to 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.
What do you feel are the characteristics of a Woman of Steel? Some people tell us Steelworker women are determined, committed, courageous, dedicated, confident and inquisitive.
Building strength and solidarity within the Women of Steel of District 9 is very important to increasing unity within our Locals and the District. This is why we have a District WOS Conference every other year.
The South LA WOS Regional Council pulled resources from its locals to completely refurbish a “living room” at a women’s shelter in their area. For their hard work and compassion, they are District 13’s 2017 USW Jefferson Award winner.
In the past year, the Local Union 105 Women of Steel (WOS) committee raised more than $16,000 to help those in their community who needed it most. For their relentless compassion and giving, they are District 11’s 2017 USW Jefferson Award winners.
Aside from all of the roles she plays within her own Local Union 3657 in Pittsburgh, Pa., Paulette Battisti dedicates an immense amount of time outside of the union to make sure people in her community never go to sleep hungry.
Director of Women of Steel
Ann Flener
(412) 562-2443