Praise

“The timing of this brilliant, feminist, activist book could not be more perfect! Who better to bring a sharp analysis, plucky optimism, and state the case for struggle for universal empowerment in the labour movement than Nash and White? The world needs this book now more than ever.”

– Donna Baines, professor, School of Social Work, University of British Columbia

“Nash and White have put together an informative and engaging history of the struggles and victories of women activists at the CAW. It is critical we recognize the women who worked to pave a path for inclusivity and equality in our unions. A more inclusive union is a more effective union, and we stand on the shoulders of those women union activists across Canada who ensured their voices were heard.”

– Bea Bruske, president of the Canadian Labour Congress

“Women United is a must-read which delves into the significant history of women’s struggle for justice and equality in the union movement—and by extension, wider Canadian society. Nash and White amplify the voices of women who fought to pave the way for future generations by carefully bringing together countless stories that would otherwise go untold. The interviews of women in the union movement provide important lessons on combatting sexism, patriarchy, and all forms of oppression from an intersectional perspective. Embedded in the stories of struggle are the webs of solidarity forged to propel action and hope for better working and living conditions.”

– Dr. Janelle Brady, assistant professor, School of Early Childhood Studies, Toronto Metropolitan University; president, Ontario NDP

“Nash and White bring to life union women who helped to drive—and drew strength from—the women’s movement. Fierce, visionary, and willing to challenge their own unions, they fought for equal pay, childcare, reproductive rights, parental leave, harassment-free workplaces, affirmative action, gender and racial equality, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, and union rights legislation—winning the support of male allies along the way. With solidarity and love, their struggles transformed their union, reshaped the labour movement, and sparked broader societal change, leaving a legacy to inspire new generations of feminist activists.”

– Barb MacQuarrie, community director (retired), Center for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children, Faculty of Education, Western University

“Women United is a fascinating, meticulously researched, insiders’ account of how women gained their place in unions and advanced women’s rights from equal pay to affirmative action to gender-based violence. Its insights into the strategies and tactics of mobilizing quickly and leveraging allies within and beyond, without sugar coating the challenges of navigating male-dominated environments, is invaluable. As Peggy Nash reminds us: ‘Your belief in building a better world will see you through the tough times. When you have to fight to make change, remember you are also making history.’”

– Wendy Cukier, Diversity Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University; co-founder of the Coalition for Gun Control

“This extraordinary book is a powerful testament to the strength and resilience of women in the labour movement. Nash and White weave together a complex tapestry of history, personal story, and sharp analysis, and in doing so, show how women have shaped labour in Canada and continue to redefine the meaning of solidarity. At a time when workers’ rights are under attack, this powerful rallying cry reminds us that women have long been the unsung heroes at the heart of progress and are wholly deserving of respect in workplaces, in unions, and in history.”

– Lana Payne, national president of Unifor

“In Women United, Peggy Nash and Julie White document the essential and often overlooked contributions of women to the development of the Canadian Auto Workers union. These compelling stories, based on extensive interviews and the authors’ own experiences, show how union feminists from the 1940s on persisted in the face of obstacles both inside and outside of their union. Through creativity and militancy, women and their allies won pathbreaking victories that transformed their workplaces, their fellow union members, and themselves. Part memoir, part labour history, part activist guidebook, Women United is a must-read for anyone interested in the messy and rewarding work of building a more equitable and just labour movement.”

– Stephanie Ross, associate professor, School of Labour Studies, McMaster University