ATU Salutes Our Fierce ATU Women for International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month
International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, began as a global holiday to commemorate women’s cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements. The holiday was brought to us by the labor movement, originating in North America and Europe during the early 20th century.
This International Women’s Day, the ATU created a photo collection project to highlight all of the ATU’s fierce women on the frontlines. We asked our women members to recreate the iconic Rosie the Riveter pose, a symbol of women’s strength and contributions to the workforce. Thank you to all the women who sent in their Rosie photos.
Women’s History Month in March, traces its beginnings back to International Women’s Day, began in 1978 as Women’s History Day in Sonoma County, California. The National Women’s History Alliance championed it, and it then became a national week in 1980, a month in 1987, and spread internationally after that.
This year, the ATU celebrated Women’s History Month by recognizing ATU rank-and-file women members who have made a difference in their Locals and our Union. We honored Sisters Tonia White, a Local 689-Washington D.C. Dispatcher at the MV Metro Access Call Center, Lakresha Hood, a Local 732-Atlanta, GA, Bus Operator at MARTA Mobility, Karen Kleppick, a Local 85-Pittsburgh, PA, Bus Operator at the Port Authority of Allegheny County’s Collier Garage, Suzanne “Gigi” Gamble, a Local 1555-Oakland, CA, Station Agent for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and Marcela Garcia, a Local 113-Toronto, ON, Streetcar Operator for the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).
These extraordinary women have shown their dedication and commitment to helping their fellow sisters and brothers either as Shop Stewards, by getting active politically, by volunteering for members in need, or in the many other ways to help their Locals become stronger.
Please take a look at our social media posts and website to learn more about the remarkable ATU women leaders working to improve our Locals, our Union, their communities, and public transit.