Crystal security guard at u.s. steel7/30/2023 She was later voted in as a guard, and now she serves as the first woman vice president of her local union, which has been in existence for more than 70 years. She has been involved with Local 105 since she started working at Arconic and is lucky to have had a mentor who encouraged her to be a teller for an election. She has been a shop steward, recording secretary, and trustee for Local 0425 and continues to be active in WOS.Īmber grew up knowing the value of unions with her father being a proud Teamster truck driver. Her fellow workers quickly began coming to Debra for help with their issues, and soon she decided to attend labor law school. Stevens textile plant in Roanoke Rapids, N.C. She earned a dual degree in electromechanics and industrial engineering-while caring for two children as a single parent-before becoming the first woman hired in the maintenance department of the J.P. They also kept the food pantry stocked during those tough months, because, as Frances said, “We are a family and we need to take care of everyone.”ĭebra is not only a Woman of Steel she’s a woman of perseverance. With the help of many union spouses and other local labor organizations, she and her sisters were able to provide a Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas party with Santa, and are now working on an Easter event. Members of Local 40 recently stood together throughout a five-month strike at Special Metals, thanks in part to community support, as well as the work of Women of Steel like Frances Barker. “I've seen changes on the job that were made possible by myself and my coworkers because of the union.” “Being raised with the importance of group work showed me what solidarity can accomplish,” she said. Jessica is currently, she’s working on her bachelor’s in labor studies because of her passion for activism. She was the only woman at the blast furnace then and had to learn how to navigate the male-dominated environment. Now, she is trained as the furnace’s first-ever woman keeper. Jessica started working at the Indiana Harbor East mill in 2014 as a third-generation Steelworker. “It really opened my eyes to how much politics and legislation affects our jobs and the labor movement.” Karen said she’ll never forget attending the union’s legislative internship program in 1999. In 2003, she became a staff representative and still works today helping members across District 8. She dove in headfirst with the union, serving on the Rapid Response committee, as District 8 Women of Steel Coordinator, and as president of the local for three terms. When the legendary plant shut down in 1980, she joined USW Local 8851 as a customer service representative at Blue Cross Blue Shield. Karen got her first union job at Marx Toys in Glen Dale, W. Trish was probably always destined to be a labor activist, as she comes from a family of union members, and knows that through a collective voice, workers can make a real difference at their jobs and in their communities. She was also the first woman in her local to hold a full-time safety position after assisting in developing safety language for full-time reps on all shifts. There she served as trustee and Rapid Response committee chair, and was an active member of the WOS committee. Trish joined the USW when she became employed at Bobcat in Gwinner, North Dakota. Check back here often as we share new stories daily! In honor of Women’s History Month, we are highlighting our very own members and their trailblazing stories.
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