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HONORING THE WOMEN OF STEEL AS WE CELEBRATE WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
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HON. FRANK J. MRVAN
of indiana
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Mr. MRVAN. Madam Speaker, it is with great respect and admiration that I rise today in observance of Women's History Month and its 2021 theme--Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced. Each year, the National Women's History Project selects a unifying theme to recognize and promote Women's History Month. This year's theme recognizes the passage of the 19th Amendment and honors the stories of those women who have fought for equal rights in the workplace.
Prior to the right to vote, women were instrumental in organizing workplaces, most famously during the Bread and Roses Strike of 1912. Tens of thousands of women fought for more than wages and working conditions; they fought to be respected in the workplace. For generations since, women have contributed to resolving conflicts and have persevered tirelessly to promote equality in the workplace. Women have insisted upon and continue to fight for respect, justice, and equality. Today, I would like to take a moment to honor Women of Steel, an advocacy-arm of the United Steelworkers, which evolved from the early women's caucuses that demanded women have their rightful place in the workplace. Throughout the years, women from diverse backgrounds have played an instrumental role in paving the way for women in the steel industry.
Among these remarkable leaders was Ola Kennedy. Ola was a resident of Gary, Indiana, who passed away in 2009. Ola worked for 28 years at Hammond Valve. A devoted community leader, she was involved in many union and civic organizations and was one of the founding members of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists in addition to being a member of the NAACP and holding various positions at Local Union 1273, District 31 United Steelworkers, District 31 Women's Caucus, and Steelworkers Fightback Organization.
We also celebrate Roberta Wood. In the 1970s, Roberta Wood went to work in the male-dominated mill in the union's former District 31 in Gary, Indiana. Along with Ola, Roberta co-founded the steelworker women's caucus in the Chicago/Gary district of the Steelworkers union. In 1976, she was elected the first female member of USWA Local 65's Executive Board and is currently a member of the Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees where she continues to advocate for future generations.
I would also like to take a moment to recognize those women who have recently celebrated more than five decades at ArcelorMittal, which is now Cleveland-Cliffs: Gail Richardson, a native of East Chicago and a safety advocate at Indiana Harbor; Judith Studer, a senior clerical technician in the maintenance, environmental and utilities department at Burns Harbor; and Maria Garcia, a materials management coordinator in the logistics department at Indiana Harbor.
Today, the Women of Steel continue to advocate for more women in leadership and carry on the march to fight for full gender equality in the workplace. I commend these women and the many others who fought and continue to fight alongside them for women of every creed, class, and ethnic background. These fearless, strong, and vocal women are exemplary role models who reflect the 2021 theme, Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced.
Madam Speaker, I am honored to join in celebrating Women's History Month and recognizing the role Women of Steel have played to organize, unionize, rally, and inspire workers to fight for justice. I ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me in celebrating the impact these extraordinary women have made in labor history and their continued contributions to the labor movement and our nation.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 54
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