Feminist Transnational Labor Activism

Feminist Transnational Labor Activism

Labor feminists are helping to revitalize labor movements around the world and are serving as a bridge leaders between labor and other social movements. Union women play an increasingly visible role in alliance making at the national, regional and transnational level. I will examine the political opportunities and constraints that make such activism possible and will draw from my research on union feminists activism in Canada, Australia, UK, and US to illustrate the strategies, discourses and practices being utilized by union feminists for social movement building. What factors sustain such activism in challenging and uncertain times for labor and feminism? What new models of leadership, organizing and mobilizing are emerging in this climate? What do feminist bring to the table?

Mary Margaret Fonow, is a sociologist and professor of women and gender studies at Arizona State University where she holds the Norton & and Ramsey Professorship in Social Transformation. Her research interests include transnational labor activism, women and work in the global economy, and feminist methodology. Fonow has conducted comparative research on workplace change and labor activism in U.S., Canada and Australia and has published, "Union Women: Forging Feminism in the United Steelworkers of America," "Making Feminist Politics: Transnational Alliances between Women and Labor" and "Making Globalization Work for Women: Social Rights and Trade Union Leadership." She is currently at work on a book about feminist labor activism in politically difficult and challenging times.

Seminar will be held in English. No registration is needed.