Industry News & Advocacy

Women’s History Month: Celebrating the Women Who Shaped Labor and the EAS Carpenters Union

March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the strong, determined women who transformed industries, fought for workers’ rights, and opened doors in the skilled trades. Women have played a crucial role in the labor movement, pushing for fair wages, safer job sites, and equal opportunities. At the Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EAS Carpenters), women continue to lead, strengthening labor rights and expanding opportunities for tradeswomen in construction.

Pioneering Women in the Labor Movement

Throughout history, women have driven change in the labor movement, demanding justice, fair treatment, and dignity for all workers. Some of the most influential leaders include:

Mother Jones (Mary Harris Jones)

A fearless advocate, Mother Jones fought for workers’ rights in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She organized coal miners, campaigned against child labor, and helped form the United Mine Workers of America. Her famous words, “Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living,” continue to inspire union members today.

Frances Perkins

As the first female U.S. Secretary of Labor (1933–1945), Frances Perkins shaped modern labor laws. She helped create the Social Security Act, fought for minimum wage laws, and pushed for the 40-hour workweek. Her work forever changed labor policies.

Dolores Huerta

A co-founder of the United Farm Workers union with César Chávez, Dolores Huerta has dedicated her life to workers’ rights. She has championed fair wages, labor organizing, and women’s leadership in the labor movement, becoming a symbol of strength and resilience.

Women Making an Impact in the Carpenters Union

The EAS Carpenters remains committed to expanding opportunities for women in carpentry, leadership, and union activism.

Hear from one of our sisters, click here!

The Future of Women in the EAS Carpenters Union

Honoring the past isn’t enough—progress must continue. The EAS Carpenters focus on recruiting, retaining, and developing women in the skilled trades. By empowering women in labor and construction, we strengthen the union’s future.

Women in the EAS Carpenters Union prove every day that they are essential to the workforce. Their impact on the labor movement will inspire generations to come. Interested in starting your career? Visit the Eastern Atlantic States Carpenters Technical Centers to learn more about apprenticeship programs.