During World War II, men were being shipped overseas and women were called to work in the factories. Women answered this call and they started a revolution. Remember Rosie the Riveter?
This image was created to inspire women to roll up their sleeves and do the work that was typically done by men. Since this time, women have made huge advances in the workplace. They should be treated as equals. While we are not there yet, we are progressing closer every day, thanks to unions and the Lily Ledbetter Act.
Unions have long been a place where women have been treated as equals. Equal rights activist Susan B. Anthony famously said, “Join the union, girls, and together say Equal Pay for Equal Work.”
This is still the case today. There are millions of strong union women throughout the country. It creates a standard for pay that is not based on male or female, only the job you do. Unions give workers a voice in the workplace. This voice is not limited to men. Women use this voice to become empowered in the workplace. Their demands may be different from men, but their desire to have their voices heard is the same.
Through unions women have fought and won in areas like equal pay, workplace safety, work hours, and many more. Through their unions, women were granted maternity leave to have a child without the fear of losing their jobs or being punished for starting a family.
Today that empowerment is being broadcast in an amazing way. The United Steel Workers Union is showcasing “WOMEN OF STEEL.” Strong and empowered women are just one more reason a women’s place is truly in her union!
Matt Murray is the creator and an author on the NH Labor News. He is a union member and advocate for labor. He also works with other unions and members to help spread the message.
Photo: A real-life “Rosie the Riveter” operating a hand drill at Vultee-Nashville, Tennessee, working on an A-31 Vengeance dive-bomber. Wikimedia Commons
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