WNYLaborToday.com Editor’s Note: A collage of photos from the United Steelworkers (USW)/Women of Steel (WOS) Western New York Group’s annual holiday scarf donation here in Western New York where more than 300 scarves were distributed in Buffalo, Niagara County and in Olean for the less fortunate.  With heavy hearts, but with smiles on their faces, the WOS Members also celebrated what would have been Cindy Marlow’s 70th birthday, remembering the former WOS Western New York Chair who lost her battle against cancer earlier this year.  (Photos Provided To WNYLaborToday.com By The WOS & Susan Ridgeway)

(BUFFALO, NEW YORK) – With heavy hearts, but with smiles on their faces, the United Steelworkers (USW) Women of Steel Group (WOS) continued its annual tradition of donating scarves to the less fortunate earlier this week under the heavenly watchful eye of Cindy Marlow, their former leader who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year, but who would have celebrated her 70th birthday on Monday (November 25th).

“‘We felt her there,’” was the way Susan Ridgeway, who succeeded Marlow as Western New York Women of Steel Council Chair, described to WNYLaborToday.com how she and eight of her USW Sisters felt while making several stops to hand out the donations.

“‘It was like she was still right there with us,’” Ridgeway said. “This is ‘all about fellowship and this is extremely important, that’s the bottom line, to give back.’  ‘It shows our gratitude and appreciation of what we have working Union jobs and that’s what Unions do.’  ‘We are one and we should be compassionate and understanding.’”

Thirty USW/WOS Members in Buffalo and Olean made the scarves, 320 in all, that were split evenly between the Downtown Buffalo’s City Mission, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy on the City’s East Side and Community Missions - a Women’s Shelter in Niagara County. 

The WOS also plans to hand out the scarfs in Olean over the weekend.

Asked what the reaction was to the donations, Ridgeway said: “They were ‘overwhelmed, very receptive - happy’ to receive them.  When we visited St. Luke’s they were handing out hot meals with a scarf.  ‘It just leaves you with a warm feeling inside.’”

The USW/WOS group also took time from their donation stops to celebrate what would have been Marlow’s 70th birthday - complete with a festive cake and ballons  (For More, Read:  A ‘True Woman Of Steel’- For Years, Cindy Marlow Has Mentored The USW’s Women Of Steel Group In Western New York, ‘Helping Spearhead Efforts To Aid The Less Fortunate’ - Now She’s Proving She’s ‘Tough As Steel’ In Her Battle Against Cancer - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York and ‘December Is The Month Of Miracles’ - ‘Woman Of Steel’ Cindy Marlow ‘Has Helped Tens Of Thousands Over The Past 2.5 Decades’ Through A Variety Of Fundraising Efforts, ‘Now She Needs The Help Of Those In The Labor Movement As She Battles Cancer’ - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York). 

Marlow was a legendary USW/WOS Member who not only captained the group for a number of years, but gave countless hours of her time and energy to help anyone who needed it.

“‘It was in her honor and it is a wonderful way to celebrate her life,’” Ridgeway said.

On another front, the USW/WOS also volunteered to help hand out 500 Thanksgiving turkeys and gift cards from Union-represented Tops Friendly Markets through the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County to a number of their 1,500 USW Brothers and Sisters who were displaced by the recent closing announcement of the local Sumitomo Tire Plant (For More, Read: United Steelworkers, Western New York AFL-CIO Area Labor Federation ‘Slam’ Japanese-Owned Sumitomo’s Decision To Close Tonawanda Tire Plant - WNY Labor Today: Your On-Line Labor Newspaper, Bringing You Labor News From Across The Nation, New York State & Western New York).

“‘Regardless of where we are in life, we have to be prepared for the unexpected,’” Ridgeway said.  “‘We need to look after our loved ones in this time of thankfulness and gratitude.’”