Crowdfunding for the project surpassed its $25,000 target this week after attracting donations from about 170 contributors. 

Robynne Murphy, a member of the film’s producers group, welcomed the show of support, which comes 11 years since the action resulted in a landmark high court decision in the working woman’s favour.

‘‘Most of the work that was available for women in the [Illawarra in the 1980s] was in sweatshops – factories at the back of someone’s house,’’ said Ms Murphy, who spearheaded a 14-year legal battle by 700 women to see BHP open its gates to female employees.

‘‘They were non-unionised and offered dreadful pay.

‘‘I don’t know why our story hasn’t been told. The action opened up the gates for women working in a whole range of non-traditional workplaces.’’

The crowdfunding drive continues until Sunday. By late Friday the tally stood at more than $27,000. The film’s creators will use the money to cover pre-production costs and leverage further financial support from unions, film organisations, funding bodies and individuals.

Paul Benedek, another member of the film’s producers group, said the pledges showed the value of the film to everyday people.

‘‘Our supporters tend to be working class people who don’t necessarily have a lot of money to give, so that makes it all the more special,’’ he said.

The film project and its related Women of Steel book have been launched in Wollongong, Sydney, Melbourne, Geelong, Cairns and Armidale. 

To wrap up the crowdfunding, the documentary Radical Wollongong will be screened at Thirroul Community Centre on Saturday, at 3pm. 

The film offers an account of miners battling deadly working conditions, women fighting Australia’s biggest company, activists jailed for resisting the Vietnam draft, and today’s movement to stop coal seam gas.

WEEKENDER

Today in Weekender: the Illawarra mums who took on BHP and won.