TO ALL IAM UNION MEMBERS INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Dear Sisters, Brothers and Siblings,
As International Women’s Day approaches March 8, the District Women’s Committee wanted to thank
all of our wonderful sisters for the work they do. We are stronger together!
Retired International Representative, Sister Heather Kelly once read this poem to us and so for
International Women’s Day, we share it for you to read:
Bread and Roses
As we come marching, marching, in the beauty of the day,
A million darkened kitchens, a thousand mill-lofts gray
Are touched with all the radiance that a sudden sun discloses,
For the people hear us singing, ‘Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses.’
As we come marching, marching, we battle, too, for men-
For they are women’s children and we mother them again.
Our lives shall not be sweated from birth until life closes-
Hearts starve as well as bodies: Give us Bread, but give us Roses!
As we come marching, marching, unnumbered women dead
Go crying through our singing their ancient song of Bread;
Small art and love and beauty their drudging spirits knew-
Yes, bread we fight for-but we fight for Roses, too.
As we come marching, marching, we bring the Greater Days-
The rising of the women means the rising of the race-
No more the drudge and idler-ten that toil where one reposes-
But sharing of life’s glories: Bread and Roses, Bread and Roses!
By James Oppenheim
We wish everyone a very Happy International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month!!
In solidarity,
Karri Airhart
District 140 Women’s Co-chair
Christy Slauenwhite
District 140 Women’s Co-chair
