In 2008, Canadian Steelworker Carol Landry made history when she became the first woman to serve on the USW International Executive Board.
In the ensuing 11 years, Landry’s leadership skills and history of achievement inspired Steelworkers at all levels of the union, particularly women and Next Generation members.
Landry joined USW 7619 at Highland Valley Copper in British Columbia in 1987. It didn’t take long for her to show her mettle in the male-dominated workplace. The only female member of her local’s bargaining committee during a 107-day strike, she helped lead a struggle that achieved a settlement providing equality for women on wages and job opportunities.
Landry rose through the ranks to become the local’s president before she was hired as a staff representative in 1999. She also worked as District 3 Education Co-ordinator and Women of Steel leader. She served as Assistant to District 3 Director Stephen Hunt prior to joining the USW International Executive Board.
As International Vice-President, Landry was responsible for the USW’s nuclear and chemical sectors and served as Co-Chair of the union’s Next Generation program as well as Vice-President of IndustriALL Global Union.
Throughout her career, Landry spearheaded programs encouraging women to take leadership roles in the union. With her retirement on July 15, the USW International Executive Board added two Women of Steel as new Vice-Presidents – Roxanne Brown and Leeann Foster.
This article appears in the October 2019 edition of USW@Work.
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