Elements are No Match for District 11 Women’s Conference

Submitted by Cathy Warner, District 11 Women of Steel Coordinator

Even Yona, the third largest April snowstorm in the Twin Cities since 1891, didn’t prevent our members from attending the 5th United Steelworkers District 11 Women’s Conference. Some 58 delegates from seven of the District’s nine states attended the conference at the Millennium Hotel in Minneapolis, MN., with 23 of the women also serving as delegates to the District’s Conference which followed.  

A hospitality event the first evening allowed the delegates the opportunity to meet in an informal setting. Minn. AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson gave the welcoming address the next morning. Knutson, the first female president, gave a passionate speech about the importance of women in leadership in both the Union and the community. 

In an effort to promote public speaking opportunities, nine women delegates were selected to introduce the speakers and instructors:  Amy Hutkowski, LU 6860; Tina Fife, LU 13214;  Dawn Churchill, LU 560; Christina Knap, LU 310L; Kelli Ritz, LU 9460; Michelle Mihalek, LU 11-63; Debbie Shearen, LU 11-418; Bridget Wagner, LU 13; and, Marketa Anderson, LU 9349. All did a superb job.

The delegates heard a presentation on “Repair Minnesota, Repair America” by Katie Gulley, Regional Program Manager for the Blue Green Alliance. John Lepley, USW Membership Department staffer, directed a “Labor History” workshop. Lee Geisse and Kim Steinhoff from the Tony Mazzocchi Center conducted a three-hour workshop titled “Putting Breast Cancer Out of Work,” which included breakout sessions and chemical body mapping.  The closing presentation was by Katie Gjertson, Field and Member Development Director from the Minnesota National AFL-CIO on “Raising the Minimum Wage”.

The second day of the conference began with a Rapid Response workshop by Kim Miller, Director of the USW International Rapid Response Department and Bob Ryan, District 11 Rapid Response Coordinator.  It included short film clips, handouts and a Rapid Response action call. 

District Coordinator Katelin Sims gave a Next Generation presentation. This was followed by a video presentation from Minn. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Meghan McKeefrey and Michael Mitchell, from the American Alliance for Manufacturing, provided a presentation on “Buy American, which provided delegates with resources of where to look for products made in America. 

Director Emil Ramirez’s closing speech focused on the importance of women activism and his commitment to promote leadership and educational opportunities to all the women in District 11, including the USW Leadership Scholarship Program, the WOS Year 1 Leadership course, the District’s two Charley Richardson’s Education Institutes – MINK and Ruttgers – and the Next Generation Program.  He also spoke about the importance of Women’s Council meetings and their schedule over the next several months. Six Councils have been established in the District:  WIMN (MN and WI), Dakotas, Iowa, MOKAN (MO, KS and NE), Eastern Missouri, and Wyoming/Montana. 

Thanks again to Director Ramirez for scheduling this conference and to all who participated in making it a success. Everyone left energized and armed with information to educate membership and officers.  We look forward to our next conference in 2016.