|
Women's Equality - A Daily Goal in the USW
As we celebrate the many accomplishments of women to secure equality, to organize around common interests, and to provide economic stability for their families, I wish to commend our "Women of Steel" for the new wave of spirit and activism they have aroused in our Union. It is with pride that the United Steelworkers stands committed to expanding women's involvement in all aspects of our organization.
Yet as we celebrate the past, we call our membership to the next great struggle facing both working women and working families throughout our Union and North America. In 2004, national elections will be held both in the United States and Canada. On both sides of the border a power struggle between the rich and the working class is most evident. How wealth, power, and basic freedoms will be shared is what is at stake.
Women -- especially our "Women of Steel" activists -- can play a major role in these upcoming elections. In a recent study by the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), it was found that "In every presidential election since 1980, the proportion of eligible female adults who voted has exceeded the proportion of eligible male adults who voted. Women, who constitute more than half the population [in the United States], have cast between four and seven million more votes than men in recent elections."
So this message goes out to all our members and leadership as a Call to Action that goes beyond celebration of International Women's Day and Women's History Month. The commitment to, and success of, working-class values knows no gender in this struggle. Each member and Local Union now has the opportunity to put into action the recognition and mentoring of women to be equal participants. Their inclusion in the strategies, struggles, and successes emphasizes our greatest strengths as a Union - diversity and collective action. This is our heritage and legacy in the USW - to reach further, longer, and harder - to make a difference in the future.
In solidarity,
Leo W. Gerard
International President
|
WOMEN OF STEEL
