‘Like the wind that lifts a sail’

 

A picture of yachts under sail on the sea

Celebrating  International Women’s Day  2022

Clarissa Scott Delany was 26 when she died in 1927. An African American poet, essayist and social worker, she was associated with the Harlem Renaissance Movement and the Women’s City Club of New York.*  Her poem, ‘Joy’, is simple and powerful, and describes how she pushes herself to laugh and sing her way out of despair.

Too long have I walked a desolate way
Too long stumbled through a maze
Bewildered

Is this how we feel as we come out of the pandemic and see what’s going on in the world? Unsure, anxious, and often horrified by terrible news. As women are being hurt, constrained and oppressed in so many ways, do we need to begin the struggle all over again? Why is it so difficult and what can we do?

There’s no doubt that things are grim at the moment; but we can find joyful and celebratory moments. There are opportunities to grasp, to hold on to and to remind us of why we are feminists.

One of those moments is coming up very soon.

International Women’s Day 2022, Tuesday 8th March

IWD has been celebrated annually since 1911, but it is also a global and round-the-year call to action. It’s a rallying cry to fight bias, smash stereotypes, break inequality and reject discrimination. And it’s also a great opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements.

The campaign theme for 2022 is #BreakTheBias


A cartoon of three diverse women in the BreakTheBias post

You can see hundreds of pictures of the campaign pose, and express solidarity by adding your own image to the IWD website.

A quick search also reveals a multitude of worldwide events. You can, for example,  join an online workout in Vancouver or learn about women receiving awards in Kenya. A quick journey round the IWD website is itself a cheerful and inspiring experience.

What else is happening nationally on IWD? A few suggestions, click on the links for registration details……

St Pancras Station, in partnership with the Royal Opera House, has an ambitious programme. Seven mini-operas, all composed by women are being performed at the station between 11am and 4pm. 

The Fawcett Society are offering two activities. They are launching a campaign called Equal Play: ‘Ending Harmful Gender Stereotypes’ and participating in the 4 Nations Chain of Events between 3pm and 7pm.  The Fawcett Society's slot starts at 4pm.

WOW Festival London 22:  Jude Kelly and guests will be speaking online on March 8th about joy, resilience and making change happen. 

Garden Court Chambers is hosting a series of free webinars on achieving a gender- equal world.  

Women for Refugee Women has a short online showcase event on March 10. 

IWD Talk by Joanna Williams on Lydia Becker. The achievements of a ‘suffragist, scientist and trailblazer’


Meanwhile, for IWD in Milton Keynes……

The Milton Keynes Community Foundation's Annual Event at MK Theatre and MK Rose on March 8th. Save the Date! and visit their website or social media for more information.

Woughton Community Hub Drop-in Cafe for International Women’s Day. March 8th from 11am - 6pm at Woughton Community Council, Coffee Hall, Milton Keynes (in partnership with Voices of Women MK). What is it like to be a woman in Milton Keynes? What’s good and what is missing?

At MK Snap, Walnut Tree, on March 7 at 3.30pm,  Milton Keynes Soroptimists will be hosting an afternoon tea to raise funds for local charitable organisations. For information and booking, email soroptimistsmk@gmail.com

The Play’s the Thing Theatre Company. March 30 to April 1, at MK Gallery. A four-day festival  ‘Taking the Stage and Screen’ which will showcase newly commissioned plays from female playwrights. Individual events from £8.00 up to whole festival pass £60.00


And so – back to the poem

In mid-February we experienced huge storms with destructive and frightening gales. But the wind in Clarissa Scott Delany’s poem is a  powerful, positive and exhilarating force. It’s an image to hold on to as we push onwards, working for change and seeking joy.

It floods me like the sun
On rain-drenched trees
That flash with silver and green


 HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY FROM
MILTON KEYNES FAWCETT GROUP!


Notes

*The Women’s City Club of New York (WCC) was founded in 1915 by suffragettes. It later changed its name to Women Creating Change and is still very active in the New York area.

* The poem ‘Joy’ is in the public domain

Location: Milton Keynes, UK

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