Women Of Steel
Proper advocacy journalism: Congratulations to the women, and congratulations to The Star of South Yorkshire.
"They travelled from Sheffield on a train named the Women of Steel Express. The engine was specially renamed in honour of the occasion and was unveiled by the four steel mill veterans before their journey on Wednesday."
SHEFFIELD'S Women Of Steel headed for Downing Street today to get official recognition for their war effort of more than 60-years ago - thanks to The Star.
Six decades after they were unceremoniously dumped from their vital wartime roles, The Star has been campaigning on their behalf. And four determined widows today carried the hopes of all women who worked in steel factories.
Kathleen Roberts, aged 88, Kit Sollitt, 90, Ruby Gascoigne, 87, and 88 year-old Dorothy Slingsby were this afternoon ready to walk through the most famous front door in the land knowing they had massive support on their side.
They were among thousands of young women who worked 12-hour shifts in the steelmills as well as looking after young children, homes and injured relatives, only to be fired when the men returned from war. Their previously untold stories instantly touched a nerve right across the world, with women in Australia, Canada and other countries contacting us to join the campaign which we launched less than two months ago.
More than 120 women now have their names on our roll of honour - all are between 83 and 101 - and are thrilled that action is finally being taken to recognise their efforts. . .
Kathleen Roberts, aged 88, Kit Sollitt, 90, Ruby Gascoigne, 87, and 88 year-old Dorothy Slingsby were this afternoon ready to walk through the most famous front door in the land knowing they had massive support on their side.
They were among thousands of young women who worked 12-hour shifts in the steelmills as well as looking after young children, homes and injured relatives, only to be fired when the men returned from war. Their previously untold stories instantly touched a nerve right across the world, with women in Australia, Canada and other countries contacting us to join the campaign which we launched less than two months ago.
More than 120 women now have their names on our roll of honour - all are between 83 and 101 - and are thrilled that action is finally being taken to recognise their efforts. . .
"They travelled from Sheffield on a train named the Women of Steel Express. The engine was specially renamed in honour of the occasion and was unveiled by the four steel mill veterans before their journey on Wednesday."
posted by Terry Glavin at 6:59 PM
2 Comments:
I wonder if the time hasn't come to award everyone working in the war effort during 1939-1945 with a campaign medal, while there are still a few of them around to appreciate it, and save the need for this piece-meal recognition; first the Land Girls, then the women pilots of the WAAF, women who worked on the canals recently too...
If all of Malta gets a George Cross, why not all of the UK?
This is a great story.
Now there's something to what David Kames just said. Totalizing war it was, and it drew everyone into its effort. Still, it's not too hard to spot the truly herculean tasks.
Post a Comment
<< Home