USW - United Steelworkers
01/25/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/25/2025 18:32
District 4 Woman of Steel Susan Ridgeway’s unwavering commitment to justice
Jan 25, 2025
District 4 Woman of Steel Susan Ridgeway's unwavering commitment to justice
Susan Ridgeway knows she has big shoes to fill as the USW Western New York Women of Steel Committee Chair. After long-time activist Cindy Marlow passed away in 2024 following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer, Susan stepped up to take on the role. Her 25 years of union experience has prepared her well, and her determination to make a change is helping her lead with dignity.
She's also accrued her strength while working in a male-dominated career at 3M in Buffalo, N.Y. Susan currently works as a crew lead in shipping and receiving, along with serving as the Local 13833 Civil and Human Rights Chair and as Griever for her department.
Long story short, she wears many hats, and she has no plans of taking them off anytime soon.
"I am unapologetically a steadfast activist," Susan said. "I eat, sleep, and breathe this work."
Outside of the union, Susan is just as active. Her current focus is building up a mental health awareness center-CASSO-that is dedicated in honor of her late grandson. The goal of this organization is to help at-risk youth get off the streets and prepare them for job interviews.
Susan's commitment to the next generation-both union and nonunion-is currently driving her to do as much as she can to empower and uplift them.
"They are being affected by so much," she said. "It's my desire to stay strong for them and help bring them up through the ranks."
Susan believes the key to connecting to younger people is simple: it's all about communication.
"We need to listen to them," said Susan. "We need to be open and have real, nonjudgmental conversations."
She also believes this is the key to tackling the many challenges the labor movement is going to face over the next several years, especially in the realm of social and economic justice.
"Civil rights are human rights," she said. "It is our duty to acknowledge and include everyone in this movement. It's about dignity."
Susan's passion for justice was renewed at this year's AFL-CIO MLK Civil and Human Rights Conference in Austin, Texas. She said connecting with her fellow union siblings is always energizing and enlightening, and it didn't hurt that she was able to meet U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett.
"Now that is a true Woman of Steel," she said.
Regardless of what happens in the coming years, and regardless of who is in power, Susan plans to continue her work with the union, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
"I feel a lot of gratitude for the USW and Women of Steel for allowing us the opportunity to network and be a part of so many different experiences," she said. "I am so honored to be a part of it."