Steelworkers’ District 6 Director, Myles Sullivan is pleased to call for applications for our Norma Berti Education Scholarship.
Director Sullivan has made available a $1,000 scholarship to the child of a Steelworker member in memory of Norma Berti, a member of Local 1005 who embodied the true meaning of the phrase “Woman of Steel.”
Norma Berti was the first Steelworker woman in Canada to be elected to her local union executive. She was hired at Stelco in 1950 and immediately became a strong supporter of the labour movement. Working in a male dominated workplace did not stop Norma from expressing her views about equal pay for equal work. Her determination to be heard resulted in her becoming a steward and in 1970 she was elected Secretary of the Grievance Committee. Her next step was to run for election in 1976 for the local union Financial Secretary position, which she won. She held this position, through re-elections until 1984, when she retired.
Her dedication to the union did not stop with her local. She was very active in many charities in the Hamilton area, was involved in the founding of the New Democratic Party, was an officer of SOAR and was recognized as Hamilton’s Woman of the Year in 1976.
Norma passed away in Hamilton on October 9th, 2001. Norma’s legacy is an inspiration for us all, and through this scholarship we will keep her memory alive.
Following is the eligibility criteria for this special scholarship
- The applicant’s parent or guardian must be a member of a United Steelworkers local union in District 6 (Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, or Prince Edward Island).
- The applicant must be enrolled in a full-time course of study leading to a diploma, certificate or degree from any publicly recognized college or university.
- Applicants must fill out and submit the attached application form.
- Applicants must submit an essay between 750-1,000 words in length (French or English). The essay must have a cover page with the student’s full name, address and contact number. In addition, it should identify the name and local union number of the parent who is the USW member.
The winning essay will be judged for creativity, style and content. The following essay topics reflect all that Norma was: a leader, role model and Steelworker activist.
Essay Topics (Please select one)
- Identify a woman in your community who is a local leader and describe how and why you see this person as a leader and a role model.
- Identify how the need for unions has changed in the global economy and why unions need activists like Norma Berti.
The deadline for receipt of essays is June 30, and the winners will be notified prior to Sept. 15.