Voices of Women MK: Springing into Partnership!

A preface, written in sadness and anger.

 The following blog was written to celebrate the success of the mini-festival of March 7th, when women’s voices came together in a day of activities and a sense of hope. Since then, the appalling events surrounding the disappearance and death of Sarah Everard have begun to emerge. The police response to protesters has been badly mishandled, and calls to change the law are getting louder and louder. Our earlier optimism is being replaced with a grim determination. The growing partnership*(Voices of WomenMK) has a crucial part to play in calling for change. The festival has showed us what women can achieve quickly and effectively when we work together. That collaboration is more important than ever.

We are planning our next meeting for March 25th – see below. Join us.

Voices of Women MK: Springing into Partnership!

Yes, we did it! The VOWMK mini-festival of March 7th zoomed onto screens at 1.30 on Sunday afternoon, and zoomed away again at about 9.30 in the evening leaving memories of a splendid and vibrant patchwork of events and activities.

 Earlier in the day the planning group had gathered nervously online to make last minute arrangements. It was an ambitious programme. Would it work? Would anyone join in? What if we were ‘zoom-bombed’?

 The answers were very clear by Sunday evening as we switched off our screens, staggered off to bed, and realised that, yes, it had worked, and not only that, it had been more successful than we had even dared to hope. There had been over 300 sign-ins and the chat boxes were crammed with appreciative comments.

 The festival offered a local introduction to International Women’s Day, a global event which takes place every year on March 8th. Members of the newly formed MK Women’s Partnership* planned the day of activities and a wealth of contributions flooded in, resulting in a heady mix of the local and the international. The programme included craftivism, panel discussions films and talks, and ended with a friendly evening conversation on ‘What Women Want’. There was so much happening that it is difficult to mention everything in this short piece. However, with most events being recorded, we are eagerly looking forward to the uploads on YouTube being available soon.

 Here is a small selection of responses from people who joined us for the festival.

 ‘Hearing about Marjorie Reid and the founding of Willen Hospice – what a legacy she has left us. Willen is a treasured organisation.’

 ‘The NHS session on the contributions that nurses and midwives make, was so uplifting. Dr Abigail Kyei, speaking from Ghana, crystallised it for me when she said she actively chose to be a nurse because “you stay WITH the patient.”’

 ‘I loved the Living Archive film about the MK Black Lives Matter protest. The story of a young MK woman who was determined that people should have their say – it filled me with hope’

 ‘Noel James talking about the Medieval women of MK, was wonderful, describing female bones found in an unknown burial. Why were they pointing the wrong way?’

 ‘I was thrilled with ’K’ of YMCA, Bea Roberts (ATD4) and Kerry Thompson, who supported the housing discussion with views and real experience. It is SO important that we learn from others in and out of MK. Grateful too, for the knowledgeable and considered views of Caroline Bernard (Homeless Link).We have so many links to build on.

‘I was particularly struck by the Polish Anti-abortion protesters in the film The Women’s Strike. Their fearlessness was immensely powerful. Their protests screamed “Do not mess with us.”’

 ‘You asked for reflections - here’s mine; An amazing festival celebrating women’s voices, organised by women, for women in a creative collaborative enterprise. It was inspirational and energising to participate in the sessions and know that this is just the beginning of a new movement for Milton Keynes that will campaign to put the voices of women and girls centre stage in planning the future.’

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to our festival. Your support has been quite tremendous and very much appreciated. We are continuing to shape and develop the concept of a Women’s Partnership (Voices of Women MK) and would love you to join us as we plan a programme for the year.

On March 25th, 7-8.30pm, we are planning an online meeting with representatives of other women’s partnerships in the country so that we can learn from their experiences. Please contact us if you are interested in joining us on our journey to empowerment.

                                                         __________________

 *The Women’s Partnership (Voices of WomenMK) includes FawcettMK, SoroptimistsMK, Sexual Assault and Abuse Support Service, MK Rape Crisis Centre, MK Act and other groups and individuals. If you would like to find out more or get involved please contact Community Action: MK via email: support@communityactionmk.org.uk or ring 01908 661623. We welcome people of any gender or sex who support female empowerment

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