Former Crane operator Addie Smith stands in front of the exhibit panel featuring her story of carrying her baby up into the crane for a shift when she was unable to find daycare.
Nicolette (left), daughter of Edie Papadakis (right) donates her mom’s hard hat to the museum. Edie worked at Bethlehem Steel for more than 30 years while raising three kids.
Alberta Buckson, one of the women featured in the Women of Steel exhibit, visits the BMI. She worked at Bethlehem Steel for 27 years as a First Class Welder. Her son (also pictured) worked at Bethlehem Steel for five years.
Women of Steel opens along the BMI’s Key Highway fence.
Women of Steel takes an inspirational turn and is re-imagined as an outdoor exhibit, free for all and viewable in a safe and accessible format.
Rendition of Women of Steel inside the BMI’s temporary gallery – Danielle Nekimken.
The BMI exhibit team reviews first-person stories for inclusion in Women of Steel.
Research begins by consulting books and films, talking to local historians, attending union meetings, reaching out to retired women steel workers or their descendants. Artifacts in the BMI collection are tagged for potential inclusion.