POSCO values the contributions from its female workers and their role in its success. In the past, The Steel Wire has looked at women in the steel industry as well as a few of the women who have had a lasting impact at POSCO. Please check out the in-depth interviews with Yukyung Lee, Group Leader of Iron Ore Group of the Raw Materials Department; Mihwa Park, Head of the Information Planning Department; Young Choi, Vice President of PR at POSCO Daewoo; and Lee Yoon Hee, Vice President of POSRI.

Today, in honor of International Women’s Day, we want to take a moment to celebrate three women who broke barriers in their own male-dominated fields. Their hard work, perseverance, and dedication allowed the world to recognize and acknowledge the capabilities of women.

Alice Peurala, Woman of Steel Who Fought for Gender Parity in Steel Industry

Women have long been a minority in the metals and mining industries (Catalyst noted in 2015 it was at just 13.3% in the U.S.). However, thanks to the efforts of women like  Alice Peurala, many more rights and protections are afforded to them today.

Alice Peurala was the first and only female to head a steel unit (Source: Daily Kos)

Alice Peurala, the first woman to head a steel unit, played a vital role in the steel industry during WWII. Peurala was one of the first female steelworkers who entered Chicago’s South Works mill in 1953 when there were only a few women left in the field. Most of the women who had steel jobs as a result of WWII had been let go when the men returned home. Those who remained, including Alice Peurala, faced gender discrimination in hiring and promotion. Having been an activist in the civil rights movement, she was determined to transform the steel industry into a more comfortable workplace for female employees.

“I did not win as a woman. I campaigned as a candidate who would do something about conditions in the plant that affect 7500 people – men and women.” – Alice Peurala

When Peurala was denied a promotion from her job in the Metallurgical Division to a job in a product testing lab in 1967 because people thought she was ineligible for a job that required overtime and heavy lifting, she sued the mill at the recommendation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Due to her unwavering efforts, a compromise settlement was reached and in 1969, Peurala finally got her promotion. Her successful lawsuits against gender discrimination and the dictatorial control of the steel company owners were indeed a victory for all women in manufacturing. Alice eventually won the presidency of the Local 65 in 1979 and left an impressive legacy as a fighter for women’s rights.

Raye Montague, The First Person to Design Computerized Ships for Navy 

Raye Montague, the first female Program Manager of Ships in the U.S. Navy, not only shattered the glass ceiling as a black woman in the then male-dominated Navy but also the first person who single-handedly changed the way the U.S. Navy designed and used ships.

Growing up, she was often ridiculed for wanting to become a female engineer and was even denied entry into the University of Arkansas because the school did not allow minority enrollment at that time; however, she did not let gender or race barriers discourage her.

Raye Montague revolutionized the design process for all naval ships and submarines in under 19 hours in 1970. (Image courtesy of thv11.com)

She taught herself how computers worked and rose in the ranks for 14 years to become a computer systems analyst at the Naval Ship Engineering Center.  In 1970, she showed the world that women were just as capable as men in the male-dominated Navy by revolutionizing the design process for all naval ships and submarines – a task she famously completed under 19 hours even though she was given a month by her boss.

Montague retired in 1990 and entered the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame in 2013. After the award-winning film Hidden Figures was released, which tells the true story of three African-American women who helped the U.S. space program at NASA, Montague appeared on Good Morning America and sparked interest in her story as another true “hidden figure” during that same era, whose dedication and unwavering commitment became an inspiration to all women.

Billie Jean King, Breaking Records and Gender Barriers

Long a champion for social justice and gender equality, Billie Jean King is a 39 time Grand Slam winner and an American former world #1 professional tennis player. She transformed the world for not only female sports players but also for the LGBT community.

In 1973, King famously threatened to boycott the U.S. Open unless the winner of the ladies singles was awarded the same prize money as the men’s champion. Thanks to her efforts, the U.S. Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money to women and men.

That same year King famously defeated men’s former world No.1 Bobby Riggs in a match later dubbed “Battle of the Sexes” in the Houston Astrodome proving to the world that women could compete with men in any arena. In the most viewed U.S. tennis match of all time with more than 50 million Americans tuned in to watch, King beat Riggs, 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 for the USD 100,000 winner-take-all prize. More importantly, the match turned King into arguably the first superstar female athlete in the U.S. Later this year Emma Stone and Steve Carell will adapt this story for the big screen, helping to reignite the excitement of King’s win in 1973.

King also became the first prominent female athlete to come out as gay in 1981 and continued to advocate for gender equality and the LGBT community even after leaving tennis in 1983. In 1990 was named one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century” by Life Magazine and in 2009, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian award for her massive contribution to improving gender equality on the tennis court.

King’s demands for equal treatment and equal pay helped pave the way for future stars such as Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams, the latter who broke barriers of her own at the 2017 Australian Open by winning her 23rd Grand Slam singles title, the most of any player in the Open Era.

“It’s not about the money, it’s about the message we send. We are sending the equality message out that this is the right thing to do. Yes, the men are better than us in some ways. Yes, we’re better in some ways. It doesn’t matter. Don’t you want to share in this world? I do.” – Billie Jean King

Billie Jean King photographed by ©Lynn Gilbert 1978, New York. (Source: Lynn Gilbert)

On International Women’s Day, POSCO honors these three remarkable women who made major contributions in their fields at a time when female participation was incredibly difficult. The bravery and dedication of these women, along with so much more around us who have broken through barriers to ensure gender equality are, and will continue to be,  a source of inspiration for all.

Cover Image Courtesy of Alfred T. Palmer, U.S. Office of War Information.

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Following the previous interview with female executive Young Choi of Daewoo International, today we met with POSCO Research Institute (POSRI) deputy director Lee Yoon Hee. In the male-dominated steel industry, Lee is holding her own, leading her team with her trademark “soft charisma.” Shall we head on and have a listen to her story?

POSRI Deputy Director Lee Yoon Hee Talks POSCO

Could you please tell us what made you knock POSCO’s door, and about the work you’ve done at POSCO ever since?

While I was preparing for my post-grad school entry, a friend tipped me about a job opening at POSCO, which were exclusive for female students only. At the time I actually preferred to continue my studies rather than work for a company, but my professor and parents talked me into going for some good work and real-life experience. I was sold and applied for the job.

My first post when I joined the company in October 1990 was the secretary’s department located at Seoul. There, I worked for a year as then-president Park Tae-jun’s secretary. Next Fall I relocated to the management examination department located at Pohang. The new department was devoted to examining the local economy, market demands, and industry trends.

Afterwards I started afresh as a researcher when the Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology (RIST) and the examination division of the Planning and Coordination department merged to form the new POSRI. Since 2001, I have worked on building marketing strategies and analyzing the steel industry and our competitors.

When was the most rewarding moment during your time at POSCO?

I’ve worked 3 years and 10 months at POSCO and 20 years as a researcher at POSRI. At POSCO, the year I worked as a secretary was the most memorable and rewarding. The Management Instructions Administration System had been newly introduced when I was assigned to the secretary’s department. I was in charge of recording the president’s and the vice-president’s instructions into the system, and relaying them to related departments.

The departments would correspond by submitting task results or countermeasures, and in turn the management would develop new strategies based on those reports. While experiencing the entire process, I was enthralled to have fulfilled my duties as a secretary by contributing to the work of my superiors.

On the other hand, the most personally rewarding work I’ve done as a researcher was the publication of steel industry research. Doing various unique research on steel commerce including the Korea-US steel tariff issue, competition rounds, and case studies on multiple commercial conflicts on several local industries, I could feel a genuine sense of duty in my work. I took pride in the idea that the research we were doing set us apart from other research centers, and that I was contributing to my country’s economic and social development through the steel industry.

A stalwart career amidst a male-dominated steel industry

When were difficult moments as a female worker, and how did you find the strength to march on?

Initially, it was difficult to withstand all the attention I received as someone who entered a predominantly male culture through a female-only recruitment. I was anxious to prove that gender doesn’t matter in the workplace, which drove me to pay more attention to detail and not make mistakes.

However, things changed when I moved into the research center: I began to receive credit for my work rather than how I behaved within the organization. Also, the fact that I was doing research in uncharted grounds proved to be a challenge in and of itself, which pushed me to work even harder.

Tell us about your personal efforts to become a truly admirable (female) leader.

First, I think the female advantage is her “Multiplayer DNA.”

Korean females are making a constant effort to fulfill their responsibilities not only in their careers but also in their homes. Because they are exposed to an environment which requires them to carry out various tasks in limited time, they develop the ability to tackle multiple tasks simultaneously while looking at the bigger picture.

This DNA contributes enormously to workplace performance. Taking myself as an example, I ask for the help of related departments without hesitation when needed. I also do not forget to make the necessary preparations for planned objectives, all while making bold decisions when need presses.

Furthermore, I have developed the ability to assume the role of the leader and allocate appropriate tasks to my teammates even when faced with complex objectives. Also, as a researcher, I had the responsibility to provide professionalism. I think perfection in professionalism is difficult, if not impossible, to attain solo.

There is a Korean proverb that says “Goodwill is born in the shed.” It means that a full shed comes before the sharing of its contents. To me, this saying underlines the importance of the continuous effort to fill the shed. That said, I try to meet with my researcher colleagues and share ideas in order to fill the shed. Such efforts contribute enormously in shaping my ideas in the right direction.

I also try to set some of my time aside for giving advice and sharing concerns with anyone who comes to me for help. Even when I’m pressed for time, I try my best to share my resources and provide solutions!

A Step towards the Future: The Story of Lee and POSCO

What are your five- and ten-year plans?

The question I’m asking myself these days is “what kind of leader shall I be?” With the specialty of the organization named research center, there is a certain limit to live as a position holder. I will try to become a ‘playing coach’ to secure the place as a position holder who does not lose the professionalism of a researcher.

First, I’m trying to finish my doctoral thesis by the following year. A diploma is mandatory not only internally but also externally for professional integrity. Next, I’d like to write a book on a topic of my field of expertise. I’m planning on a comprehensive summary on the steel industry-related dispute cases that were a part of my earlier publication, “The Commercial Disputes in Korean Industries.’

Furthermore, I’d like to write a series of reports on the history of the development of the global steel industry and the changing management strategies for the next generation of researchers to consult during their studies.

Could you give us any insight on the strengths of POSCO in the steel industry and the path it should take in the future?

POSCO assumes a leading role not only domestically but also in the global steel industry. It’s true that POSCO’s growth and profitability has slowed down somewhat recently, but its cost competitiveness and profit making ability remain superior to other steel manufacturers nonetheless. This indicates that POSCO’s market premium is to reckon with.

Another strength of POSCO is that it has many, many talented individuals working for the company. POSCO remains atop the “most coveted workplace” list. I expect the company’s new strategies to bear fruit over time as the promising talents of today become the leaders of tomorrow!

As a leader of the steel industry, POSCO must contribute to solving the industry’s two main issues spawned by structural problems: surplus supply and margin squeeze.

More than anything, it’s important to identify the ineffective policies and weaknesses that exist in the domestic steel industry. Joint efforts that will promote the mutual growth and development of the steel industry should be made, as well as strategies that will fortify the foundation for the growth of manufacture and demand.

Lastly, please give some advice for the females entering the workforce!

Firstly, try to maintain a bigger perspective. Look further and further. I recently read a book titled “A woman who lives 10 years into the past, a women who lives 10 years into the future.” The book compared women who stop growing at age thirty to women who start growing at age thirty, which prompted me to make specific plans for my life.

Also, try growing an interest in sports. There’s nothing like sports that leads to communication with males in a predominantly male organization. Sports is an activity that has a clear distinction between the winner and the loser, but it also gives us lessons on fairness and the need for sound strategy. Also, it will be helpful in carrying out tasks because it requires prompt decision-making from time to time.

Hope that Lee’s story will encourage you and many other business people to take a brave step in shaping their futures! Please look forward to reading our next post for the POSCO Women Leadership Series!