Courage and Solidarity: Celebrating the Power of Women

On International Women’s Day—celebrated around the world—and during Women’s History Month in the United States, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) honours the women whose leadership and solidarity continue to strengthen our union across Canada and the United States.

Women in IFPTE serve as engineers, scientists, judges, analysts, technicians, and public servants. They are organizers, negotiators, and advocates who have advanced fair wages, pay equity, family-supportive policies, and safer, more inclusive workplaces. Their contributions have not only improved our workplaces—they have helped shape a more just society.

We also recognize that barriers persist. Women—particularly Black, Indigenous, and racialized women, immigrant women, and 2SLGBTQI+ workers—continue to confront inequities in pay, opportunity, and representation. As trade unionists in Canada and the United States, we recommit to challenging discrimination in all its forms and to building a labour movement where every worker can thrive.

We mark this moment amid rising global political tensions, cross-border uncertainty, and no shortage of local struggles. Attacks on equality gains and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives have created a chilling effect in many workplaces. Across the United States, raids by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are destroying families, neighbourhoods, and shaking the very foundation of America’s democracy. At the same time, the mass termination and targeting of immigration law judges is further destabilizing an immigration court system already in crisis.

Nearly 600 Immigration Judges of the National Association of Immigration Judges - IFPTE Judicial Council 2 have spoken out under the leadership of Judge Holly D’Andrea. They are using their collective voice to defend judicial independence, protect due process, and uphold the rule of law.

Professional workers are organizing—and women are leading. In California, more than 1,100 planners, designers, and field technicians at Southern California Edison voted to unionize with Engineers and Scientists of California - IFPTE Local 20. In a traditionally male-dominated workplace, women played a pivotal role on the organizing committee, talking to colleagues about the power of collective action. “Together, we’re stronger and ready to make a real difference,” said Stephanie Sarmiento, a Design and Drafting Specialist.

In Canada, employees of the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) unanimously voted to join the Society of United Professionals - IFPTE Local 160. As LEAF Senior Staff Lawyer Rosel Kim said, “At a time when we are seeing a heightened backlash against equality rights, we are proud to be strengthening our workplace, and securing our rights and the vital work we do by unionizing.”

These victories send a clear message: when equality is challenged, workers organize. When rights are threatened, unions speak out. Hear more about how women in the labour movement are making a difference in an upcoming interview with IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer Gay Henson on the America’s Work Force Union Podcast airing this month. Details will be shared soon!

On International Women’s Day, recognized globally, and during Women’s History Month in the United States, IFPTE celebrates the women leading in their workplaces and reaffirms our commitment to defending equity, advancing justice, and building collective power for all.

In Solidarity,

Gay Henson
IFPTE Secretary-Treasurer

Tracy Miller 
IFPTE Women’s Solidarity Network Chair