'Women of Steel' build power at international conference

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.workdayminnesota.org/index.php?news_6_3319

4 October 2007
TORONTO - Seventeen women from Minnesota were among nearly 1,000 women who joined in global solidarity and activism at the United Steelworkers International Women's Conference, one of the largest gatherings of working women ever.

The Minnesota representatives included workers from mining, manufacturing, health care, newspapers, steel foundries and the 3M Corp., said Tara Widner, a Steelworkers union representative from Minnesota.


Participants from USW District 11, which represents Steelworkers in 10 states including Minnesota, gathered with USW President Leo Gerard.
Photo by Tara Widner


The conference, held Sept. 23 to 26 in Toronto, Canada, blended solidarity activities and political action with art and music, Widner noted. "It was really inspiring how the organizers incorporated art of various mediums and cultures."

The conference theme —"Women of Steel: Building Power, Taking Action" — "reflects the activist role of USW women," said conference chair Leeann Anderson, assistant to USW President Leo Gerard.

"Strong unions need women, and it is clear that women in every nation need strong unions," she said. The event highlighted "the critical role women play in the USW, how society and governments are failing women and working families, and what actions we can take as trade unionists to build awareness and power for change."

Workshops focused on building participants' skills so they can be more effective union leaders and activists. International guests from South Africa, Mexico, Sweden, Brazil, Chile, the United Kingdom and Germany discussed how to improve working conditions, stop worker exploitation, improve work-life balance and other issues that affect women in their daily lives.

FULL story at link

[donsu]

1. wonderful! get the misogynists out of the way, we women have a

world to nurture and save