CONTACT: Ann Flener 412 562 2250
(Pittsburgh) – Today, United Steelworkers (USW) International President Leo W. Gerard released the following statement:
“The United Steelworkers (USW) will commemorate Women’s History Month by honoring those women who led the fight for dignity and respect in the workplace, and those that continue the fight for equality in all aspects of life today. In this election year, we especially remember women who fought for the right to vote in both the United States and Canada, and intend to honor their sacrifices with our votes.
The USW will honor the contributions of these women with a display in the USW lobby and host a lunchtime series featuring the struggles of those that led the way.
The USW recognizes the sacrifices of those who fought, suffered and died for what they believed in, and honor all men and women that continue to stand up for all that is just and right.”
United States v. Susan B. Anthony
On November 18, 1872, Anthony was arrested by a U.S. Deputy Marshal for voting in the 1872 Presidential Election two weeks earlier.
Before retiring, Anthony was asked if all women in the United States would ever be given the vote. She replied by stating, “It will come, but I shall not see it…it is inevitable. We can no more deny forever the right of self-government to one-half our people than we could keep the Negro forever in bondage. It will not be wrought by the same disrupting forces that freed the slave, but come it will, and I believe within a generation.”[30] “Failure is impossible” were the words she left with her “girls” to encourage them on in the long discouraging struggle ahead.[30] Fourteen years after Anthony’s death, following assiduous campaigning, women were given the right to vote on August 26, 1920, by the nineteenth amendment to the Constitution.[30]
She was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women’s rights movement to introduce women’s suffrage into the United States. She was co-founder of the first Women’s Temperance Movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as President.[1] She also co-founded the women’s rights journal, The Revolution. She traveled the United States and Europe, and averaged 75 to 100 speeches per year.[2] She was one of the important advocates in leading the way for women’s rights to be acknowledged and instituted in the American government.[3]
Throughout our nation’s history, women have played a significant role in transforming workers’ lives. Their courage, spirit and contributions not only changed the labor movement but helped shape our society-and still inspire us today.
Find out more about by clicking the links below:
Lowell Mill Women Create First Union of Working Women
The Uprising of 20,000 and the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
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