The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) recently held its largest Women’s Leadership class to date at the Winpisinger Center. The event marked a significant milestone for the union, as it was the final session led by Julie Frietchen in her role as IAM Women’s & Young Worker’s Director. Frietchen will soon transition to become Director of the Winpisinger Center.
“It’s very exciting news that the numbers are growing every year in these programs,” said Frietchen. She pointed out that there was even a waitlist for this year’s class, which included IAM women from both the United States and Canada.
The Women’s Leadership program aims to help IAM women develop leadership skills and become more active in their workplaces and communities. Over the past three years, Frietchen has led this program and has worked to mentor members, supporting efforts to advance gender equity within both the IAM and the wider labor movement.
During the week-long class, participants attended workshops on topics such as organizing, collective bargaining, public speaking, communications, union leadership, political advocacy, and women’s history. The program also provided opportunities for participants to build connections and reinforce the union’s commitment to including women in decision-making roles.
As part of their training, participants created an original post for IAM Union’s social media platforms.
