Events & Training

March is Women's History Month, a time to celebrate the incredible achievements of women who have paved the way for a brighter future and those who continue to make a difference at every level. 

The impact women have made in labor history is often missing from textbooks and the media despite the numerous roles they have played to organize, unionize, rally, document, and inspire workers to fight for justice. From championing better workplace conditions to cutting back the 12-hour day to demanding equal pay across racial lines, women have made enormous contributions to the labor movement. 

Many CSEA women have made history, including five different Association Presidents. Pat Smith, the first woman to lead CSEA, was one of a few, if not the only, woman in the nation to head a large labor organization during her time in office.

“I made it to the president’s office not because I’m a woman, but because I tried,” Smith would tell women who were elated over having a woman president. “I’ve always felt women were not in higher offices in CSEA for the pure and simple reason that they never tried to be. You won’t get into any office unless you compete for it.”