|
|
8:15 am
District 6 Director, Wayne Fraser takes a walk in the shoes of a woman – a "steel" woman. Delegates from District 6 made a bet with their Director that he would have a hard time walking in their shoes. In the mean time, they collected almost $200 for a women’s shelter. Donning a pair of pantyhose and high heels, Wayne made a stage appearance to the delight of the 500 women. |
|
8:25 am
Today’s special guest from the past was "Norma Rae". (Melinda Newhouse, a technician with the International working in Strategic Campaigns).
As she and the "Pie Pan Players" walked through the crowd, the famous chant of "UNION" roared through the hall. |
|
|
|
"Norma" told the basically partisan crowd that "The job has to be done. The fight has to be won. And we will never give up on that fight."
She went on to say, "This government runs over people and doesn’t look back. Now is our time to be counted." |
|
8:45 am
The newly appointed Canadian National Director, Ken Neumann spoke of the legislative battles in Canada and on the international front that Steelworkers are fighting today. "Universal health care coverage means coverage for everyone, and we will do everything in our power to protect that which is precious to us." |
|
|
|
9:20 am
Amid the cheers of avid supporters, Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton entered the hall and sat a moment to talk with United Steelworker President, Leo W. Gerard. |
|
The Senator took time to pose for pictures and sign "Norma Rae" posters and copies of her latest book.
As she stepped up to the podium she congratulated the delegates for their enthusiasm and dedication to the fight for women’s issues. She told delegates, "I’ve traveled around New York and the country and it’s the women who understand what is happening and why we have to change this Administration."
She added, "We need to be on the frontline to take America back. |
|
|
|
She said "Because of this Administration, the concentrated wealth is in the hands of a very few."
Continuing she told the members, "If you are registered to vote and do not use that right, you are giving this Administration a free pass." |
|
After receiving a standing ovation, Hillary was presented with gifts from the Women of Steel. A bracelet made by USW Local 1196 commemorating the 9-11 tragedy, a "My Vote Matters" women of Steel t-shirt, and a poster of Norma Rae were a few of the gifts. |
|
|
|
The final gift was a handmade rug made by the widows from Kenya who lost their spouses in the civil war. The rug depicts the emblem of the Women of Steel logo. |
|
9:55 am
Legislative interns, Vicky Belawski (L) from District 8 and Sylvia Ruiz from District 1, spoke of their positive experiences in Washington and how they have became more involved in the political process. Sylvia asked delegates to assist in getting people mobilized, educated, registered and most importantly – getting people to the polls. |
|
|
|
10:15 am
The next special guest to rile the crowd was Democratic Congressional Representative, Rosa DeLauro from the 3rd District in Connecticut.
She told the delegates, "You cannot change thinge unless you get involved."
She told the women to contact their Representatives and tell them the issues that need to be addressed. She stated, "if members ignore the voices of their constituents, they to it at the risk of their own power." |
|
10:40 am
The delegates were then given their marching orders for the day as they prepared to descend on the Congressional Houses to lobby Representatives. Jim Robinson, USW District 7 Director, goes over a few items with Norma Gaines (District 7 WOS Assistant Coordinator and Gigi Baker (District 7 WOS Coordinator). |
|
WOMEN OF STEEL
