The Women of Steel

                                                            The Women of Steel 

As we go into the history, women have worked in the steel industry in the United States since the early 1900s. However, women have always been outnumbered in the workforce. In 2023, only about 4.4% of ironworkers in the United States are women. 

There are a number of reasons why women have been underrepresented in the steel industry. One reason is that the work is often physically demanding and dangerous. Ironworkers must be able to lift heavy objects, climb tall structures, and work in confined spaces. This type of work can be difficult for women, who are typically smaller and less physically strong than men. 

Another reason why women have been underrepresented in the steel industry is that it has traditionally been a male-dominated field. Men have often been reluctant to accept women as coworkers, and they may have made it difficult for women to get hired or promoted. 

Despite the challenges, there have been several women who have succeeded as ironworkers in the United States. One of the earliest known women ironworkers was Mary Harris "Mother" Jones.  Jones was a labor organizer and activist who worked in the steel industry during the early 1900s.  She was known for her fiery speeches and her willingness to stand up for the rights of workers, regardless of their gender. 

Another early woman ironworker was Margarethe "Peg" Trautlein. Trautlein was a German immigrant who came to the United States in 1910. She worked as an ironworker in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was one of the first women to be certified as a welder.  

One of the most famous is Mary Beatrice Davidson Kenner, who invented the sanitary belt in 1914. Kenner worked as an ironworker in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and she was inspired to invent the sanitary belt after seeing the challenges that women faced in the workplace. 

Another notable woman ironworker is Lillian Moller Gilbreth, who was a pioneer in the field of industrial engineering. Gilbreth and her husband, Frank Gilbreth, developed a number of time-saving techniques that were used in the steel industry. 

In recent years, there has been a growing movement to recruit more women into the steel industry. Some companies have implemented diversity and inclusion programs, and they have made efforts to make the workplace more welcoming to women. As a result, the number of women working in the steel industry is slowly increasing. 

There are many benefits to having more women working in the steel industry. Women bring a different perspective to the workplace, and they can help to improve safety and productivity. They can also help to break down the traditional barriers that have prevented women from succeeding in this field. 

If you are a woman who is interested in a career in the steel industry, there are a number of resources available to help you get started. The Ironworkers' Union has several programs that are designed to recruit and train women ironworkers. There are also a number of online resources that can provide you with information about the industry and the job opportunities that are available. 

If you are willing to work hard and overcome challenges, there is no reason why you cannot succeed as an ironworker. The steel industry is a great place to work, and it offers many opportunities for advancement.