Press Releases
SXU to Host Historical Play "Women of Heart and Steel"
CHICAGO (October 31, 2001) – Saint Xavier University’s Women’s Studies Department will present the historical play, "Women of Heart and Steel" at noon on Monday, November 12 at Noon in McGuire Hall, Warde Academic Center, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago. This musical performance piece of the Working Women’s History Project spotlights Alice Peurala of the United Steelworkers and Sylvia Woods of the United Auto Workers.
Alice Peurala and Sylvia Woods were leaders of the women’s labor movement who fought for justice and human rights. Peurala, an Armenian American labor leader, organizer, and civil rights activist, became the first woman in the nation to head a basic steel unit. Sylvia Woods was a pioneer in the African American liberation and labor movements, fought sex discrimination, and helped found the National Alliance Against Racism.
Labor activist Vickie Starr and union member, steel worker, and author, Kathi Wellington Dukes will be special guests at the event. The play was written by Joan McGann Morris and Mary Bonnett with music was composed by Ken Morris.
For more information please call Saint Xavier’s Women’s Studies Department.