International Women’s Day

#Press for progress

Local group, Women’s Voice is hosting an event for International Women’s Day (IWD) on Saturday 10 March at Azur on the Marina from 12.30 – 3.30pm. All are welcome. The event is free and there will be refreshments.

This will be the 11^th year that Women’s Voice has organised an event for IWD. Ann Kramer, speaking for Women’s Voice, said: “IWD is a very important date in the women’s rights calendar. It has its roots in the early years of the 20^th century when it remembered action taken by women workers in New York. Since then the day has grown so that it is now marked by women worldwide. It is a chance to celebrate women’s achievements and also to reflect on what still needs to be done.”

At the event on 10 March, Women’s Voice will be doing just that. The afternoon will include film, music and discussion. Local suffrage campaigners will be celebrated and there will a chance to talk to local women councillors about the situation of women in politics today. There will also be information about a whole host of events from March – June that Women’s Voice is organising to celebrate the centenary of women winning the vote. These events include banner and poster making and singing workshops, all being prepared for a big event on 23 June. There will be much more information at Azur on 10 March.

Ann said: “This is an important year for women. In Britain it marks 100 years since some women won the vote and the right to stand for Parliament. We celebrate this great achievement while also recognising that women still have a long way to go to achieve true equality. Worldwide there is a re-energised women’s movement and we are part of that so, using the theme of #pressforprogress, we are calling out for local women to put their ideas forward about what still needs to be done.”

Also at the event Ann will be talking about her new book Turbulent Spinsters: women’s fight for the vote in Hastings and St Leonards, which is being published to coincide with International Women’s Day. Commenting on her book, Ann said ‘We know about the big names of the women’s suffrage campaign but what I wanted to do was find out what went on down here, in Hastings and St Leonards. Perhaps not surprisingly I found that there was a very active and determined campaign here. Local women met in their homes, in public venues and marched through the streets, adding their efforts to what was a fantastic battle for the women’s vote.’

For more information about the International Women’s Day event on 10 March or any other Women’s Voice events, email: hastingswomensvoice@yahoo.com or rossanawomensvoice@gmail.com. More information about International Women’s Day #pressforprogress campaign.

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