Roxanne Brown ushers in a “New Era” at Women of Steel Conference

USW International President Roxanne D. Brown brought delegates to their feet multiple times during her keynote address to the USW National and International Women of Steel Conference taking place this week in Toronto.

As the first woman and the first Black person to lead North America’s largest industrial union, Brown received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from the more than 700 activists from across Canada and the United States.

“Earlier this month, our union made a little history. Or should I say ‘Her-story!’ It’s so fitting that the first major conference after our historic installation would be this Women of Steel conference,” Brown said.

“I am joining giants in the honour of serving our union. We have produced some of the most incredible leaders in the global labour movement. It’s a privilege,” she said.

Brown acknowledged that by stepping into the president’s role, she embodies an achievement that moves the USW – and the entire labour movement – forward.

“We have some powerhouse women leading international unions and federations in the U.S. and Canada. And a lot of them have done so for decades. But in the U.S., there has never been a woman leader of an industrial union. Until now.”

Multiple times during her address, Brown initiated call-and-response with the Women of Steel delegates, calling out “New” with delegates responding: “Era.”

“Never let the world try to tell you who it thinks you are,” Brown said, encouraging sisters to power through roadblocks and doubters. “You are a leader. An inspiration. A powerhouse. You are wonderful reflections of this union that we love.”

Brown spoke about when she sees the foundational systems of the U.S. being broken, and how that’s affecting USW members in Canada and the rest of the world, she draws inspiration from our union’s shared values and from events like this conference, where activists are gaining the tools and knowledge they need to build the future we all want.

What the union fights for “is not the moon and the stars,” Brown said.

“We fight for safe workplaces. Retirement security. We want to retire in dignity. We want people who want to join a union to be able to form a union. We want to be able to count on a future for our kids and grandkids. It’s not a lot to ask for.”

With a lot of these basic workers’ rights under attack, union activists need the “toolbox” that we carry with us to fight back.

“Use this conference to educate yourself. Add some tools to the toolbox,” said Brown.

“We need to plan, educate, train, get ready. We can’t fix it by ourselves,” she said.

In closing, with another “New,” “Era” call-and-response, Brown called on the Women of Steel delegates to work with the broader labour movement to fight for and fix the kind of movement we want for ourselves.

“Because we have some things to fix. And we have to do it together!”

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