“We’re not alone in this”: Women of Steel Raise the Bar for mental health and solidarity

On a chilly February afternoon at the University of Guelph, 47 Women of Steel gathered not just for lunch but for connection, reflection and solidarity. Over plates of chicken Caesar salad and warm conversation, stories were shared, laughter echoed and for many, something powerful clicked: we are not alone in this.

Hosted by USW Local 4120, the Lunch and Learn session focused on a topic many women quietly carry every day – the ongoing struggle of work-life balance, stress and mental health. It was the second event in a growing series supported by Raising the Bar, a USW campaign focused on bringing gender-specific health and safety issues to the forefront of union work.

“Health and safety systems were designed by men for men,” said Sylvia Boyce, USW Department Head of Health, Safety and the Environment, who led the session. “But women are working full-time while caring for children, aging parents and running households. Mental health is a safety issue, and our union is stepping up to say: this matters.”

The conversation was honest and resonated deeply. Members spoke about the pressure of caregiving, the quiet exhaustion of burnout and how social media adds another layer of stress. Boyce shared tools from Raising the Bar, including action guides on pregnant workers, harassment, menopause and psychological health – all designed to help locals open meaningful conversations about safety, support and inclusion.

Tracy VanRaaij, Chair of Local 4120’s Women of Steel Committee, helped bring the event to life after members’ strong feedback pointed to stress and work-life balance as urgent issues.

“When we surveyed members, stress and work-life balance came up again and again,” said VanRaaij. “Eighty percent of our members are women. This is our everyday reality – and talking about it is part of our union work.”

With the help of the USW Family and Community Education Fund, the committee offered lunch, Women of Steel swag and door prizes featuring artwork from local women. But what members took home was more than a gift – it was the knowledge that mattered to them.

“A member said to me, ‘I didn’t realize how badly I needed this’,” VanRaaij recalled. “That’s what these events are about – making space to breathe, to feel seen and to remember our union has our backs.”

For Local 4120, this was more than a lunch – it was solidarity in action. The committee already has its next event planned, with three more events scheduled throughout the year, culminating in a final session in November. Their ongoing efforts reflect a strong commitment to bringing timely and meaningful issues to the forefront.