Women in Leadership: Pearl Abernethy

We champion women’s development and leadership at Community, and want to empower more women to come forward and become active in their union. As part of our Women in Leadership series, we are shining a spotlight on some of our members who are making a difference in their workplace. The latest profile in our series is Pearl Abernethy, Community member and Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee.

I am honoured to serve as the elected Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee for 2024/2025, having previously served as Vice Chair in 2023/2024. This committee, established in 1927, has been a steadfast force in the fight for women’s rights in Scotland for nearly a century. Throughout our 98-year history, we’ve witnessed immense social, political, and economic change — and we’ve met each moment with action, resolve, and solidarity.

I became Chair of the STUC Women’s Committee because I’m passionate about advancing equality and ensuring women’s voices are heard at every level of the trade union movement. It’s a real privilege to lead campaigns that challenge inequality and push for lasting change. What I value most is working alongside such committed and inspiring women—sharing ideas, building solidarity, and making a difference for women across Scotland.

As Chair, I lead the committee and ensure our meetings are well-planned, conducted in line with our constitution, and that all matters are handled efficiently and respectfully. Our role is to shape campaigns and influence policy on behalf of women trade union members across Scotland. We focus on a broad range of issues impacting women — from workplace inequality and discrimination to economic injustice and gender-based violence.

Despite another year marked by industrial unrest, political turbulence, and social upheaval — with no shortage of strikes and global challenges — the Women’s Committee has remained active and determined. We have worked tirelessly to fulfil the mandates of our conference and to respond to the urgent and evolving concerns of women across Scotland.

Our trade union sisters are leading the way — organising, resisting, and fighting for justice both at home and internationally. As women, we do not settle for the status quo. We push forward, support one another, build campaigns, lead strikes, and we win. Because when women win, we all win.

Our work continues — for the women in precarious employment, for those sustaining our underfunded public services, and for our sisters escaping violence and coercion.

Solidarity to all our sisters.