Million Women Rise - Saturday 7th March 2015

Guest blog by Nicky Amos, Somerset Federation

The Million Women Rise March takes place once a year, in London, and aims to raise awareness of all types of violence against women and children. It starts at Duke Street, near Selfridges in Oxford Street and ends two hours later in Trafalgar Square.

I am Chair of Public Affairs for Somerset Federation and have always been very supportive of the WI’s ‘No more Violence Against Women’ campaign.

As I planned to be in London for that weekend anyway, I gathered together a few friends and family, and with NFWI approval and the WI slogan “The WI, making a difference” in mind, I decided to take part.

I had a few reservations.

One was health and safety. Would it be safe?  I need not have worried. The police had closed Oxford Street and there were lots of MWR stewards ensuring the March went according to plan.

Another worry was, who would turn up? I had contacted the organizers before hand and they were a bit vague about the arrangements and the numbers expected.

I need not have worried. Lots of different organizations had come. There were several thousand of us altogether spread out all along the route. It was a very impressive sight. The sun shone, people chatted and the atmosphere was very convivial.

We were all given chant sheets and the lovely lady in this photo did a very good job of getting us all responding. Lots of people had drums and whistles. We made a great deal of noise.

I’ll be honest; I’m not a very extrovert person. Chanting in Oxford Street in front of many thousands of tourists and a few TV crews is not my normal cup of tea. But buoyed-up by the atmosphere, our group soon joined in enthusiastically.

Did we do any good? Did we raise awareness of the issue?

Frankly, before we set out I was sceptical. But people were standing three deep all along Oxford Street and Greek Street watching us pass. Many were filming us on their cameras. Lots clapped. The organisers passed out postcards telling by-standers about the organizations Million Women Rise supported.

Some tourists looked bemused. One told me marching was illegal in his country. Lots of people stopped to talk.

After stopping traffic in Shaftesbury Avenue, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus we ended in Trafalgar Square, for a very welcome cup of tea.

Would I recommend your WI took part next year?

A resounding yes. I have never been on a march before. What an experience! My party all loved the entire afternoon. I will remember it for ever and I genuinely think we did make a difference.

Celebrating International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day (IWD), celebrated every year on 8th March, was the brainchild of Clara Zetkin, leader of the ‘Women’s Office’ for the Social Democratic Party in Germany. In 1910, she suggested an annual Women’s Day for women worldwide to celebrate their achievements and mobilise to make the case for labour rights and better working conditions. 

Over the years the Day has proved hugely successful, growing from its roots in the socialist movement to become a global day of celebration and recognition. IWD was formally recognised by the United Nations in 1975. Today, it’s a national holiday in more than 25 countries, from Afghanistan and Cuba to Zambia. It’s a day when women’s successes are recognised and celebrated, regardless of ethnic, cultural, economic or political differences.

It’s also an occasion for reflecting on past challenges and acknowledging the tremendous progress towards equal rights and women’s participation and, even more importantly, for highlighting the struggles women in different parts of the world still face today. Over a century on from the early 1900’s when a women’s day was first celebrated, the world is a very different place.  In the UK alone, women have gained the right to vote, seen education and age old professions like medicine open up, and benefited from a framework of legislation to protect against sex and pay discrimination. As we approach 8 March, we hope to see ground-breaking legislation, currently under debate in the Welsh Assembly, passed next week that would put Wales at the forefront of global efforts to eradicate domestic abuse, sexual violence and all forms of violence against women.

From the WI’s early days, members have campaigned on a wide range of social, political and economic challenges faced by women. Yet barriers remain that prevent us achieving gender equality. 

In June 1943, WI members passed a resolution calling for men and women to receive equal pay for equal work, yet women continue to be fighting for equal pay with female graduates typically paid less than men, an income gap that continues into retirement. 

Early WI resolutions passed in the 1920s highlighted the importance of women playing a prominent role in public life. West Suffolk federation’s 1921 resolution urged WIs to ‘educate members in the powers of the Parish Councils, Rural District Councils and County Councils with a view to getting local women on all these bodies.’  Despite their efforts, women remain chronically under-represented in political and public life at all levels. While there are now more female MPs than ever before, women still make up under a quarter of the House of Commons. With only one female judge on the Supreme Court and few female High Court judges, it’s clear that women have even less say in implementing the laws than in making them. 

In 1975 WI members began campaigning to tackle violence against women.  Today the scale of abuse remains staggering; official data suggests around 1.2 million women suffered domestic abuse last year. One in four women will experience domestic violence at the hands of a partner during their lives. 

So while tremendous advances have been made, gender equality remains far from a reality for women in the UK and our sisters around the world. Let’s take the time to take stock this weekend and continue working together to improve all women’s rights. How are you celebrating international women’s day and the women in your life this weekend?  

Wear red and join Somerset Federation WI for the Million Women Rise March this Saturday, the 7th of March

The WI has long campaigned to stop violence against women and this Saturday, March 7th 2015, WI members are taking to the streets of London once more to protest endemic violence against women and girls as part of a march organised by the Million Women Rise Foundation.

The Somerset Federation will meet outside Waterstone’s in Oxford Street (W1C 2PQ) at 12.15. The march starts from nearby Duke Street at 1.15pm. Here is a link to the Somerset Federation facebook page where interested members can contact them directly if they are interested in joining up with them: 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-WI-Somerset-Public-AffairsInternational/1399028270349736

For more information on the March see: http://www.millionwomenrise.com/7-march-2015.html#.VPWB394TWFI

The organisers say: “A woman’s right to live free from violence and / or the fear of violence has not been achieved. Women continue to be attacked and violated in many different ways, in our homes, on our streets, on our public transport, at our places of work. The government, the TV and newspapers do very little to address this issue; instead they often blame women for wearing the wrong clothes or being in the wrong place.

If you think this needs to change, then join us on this women only critical mass. We need to be strong together and in large numbers. Unity is strength; the voices of many are louder together than a single voice. Together and united we are ending male violence against women and children. If you want to see change for yourself, your children, your families, your communities then come out and say no to violence against women! Every sister...bring a sister.”

It’s a woman only event so no husbands, partners, sons allowed but otherwise the more the merrier! The organisers would like everyone to try to wear red, but it’s not essential. Come as you are! 

New Eco-Friendly Ovens Set to Slash Energy Waste and Save Consumers £1.1 Billion

WIs and environmental groups across the country will be pleased to learn that thanks to new ‘Eco-design’ regulations aimed at increasing the energy efficiency of common household appliances, ovens and hobs just got a whole lot greener.

The new rules, which come into force today, mandate that manufacturers improve the energy efficiency of their products by, for instance, improving insulation or redesigning oven doors to mitigate heat loss. This directive will be phased in over a number of years, with no new appliances that score less than an “A” efficiency rating being allowed on the market after 2019. Eco-designed appliances will also have the added benefit of cutting an estimated £1.1 billion from Britons’ energy bills by 2030. This means that in the near future, consumers in the market for new kitchen appliances will be spoilt for choice when it comes to functionality, affordability, and sustainability.

This is very welcome news. Since the 1920s the WI has called for responsible and practical environmental stewardship. Whether it’s campaigning to clean up oil from our seas, urging the government to invest in alternative energy sources, or protecting the countryside from pollution, ‘green’ concerns have helped shape the WI’s identity over the past one hundred years.  Therefore, it will come as no surprise to WI members that new ComRes polling  on these “eco-design” regulations has revealed that ninety percent of respondents support energy efficiency regulations, and, furthermore, that the majority (59%) of those polled say they would even pay a little bit more for an energy efficient appliance.

Commenting on these new regulations and the polling data, our Public Affairs Chair Marylyn Haines Evan had this to say:
   
“Whether you’re turning your hand to a Victoria sponge or a Sunday roast, it’s reassuring to know that ovens and hobs are becoming more energy efficient, insulating you better from volatile energy prices while also cutting carbon emissions. No-body likes to waste energy, and in fact the survey shows that people want regulations that cut down on waste. Knowing what we do about the risks that climate change presents to the UK, it’s clear that better designed appliances are a boon both for householders now and for the world that our children will inhabit.”

The WI will continue to monitor any new developments, but until then Bon Appetit!

Read more
Energy and Climate Information Unit 

WI Cookery School class

#WITimeToTalk

Guest blog by Janis Tunaley, Wellingore WI

Both my parents were organ donors - and one of them an organ recipient - and I wanted to share their stories in the hope that it would both reassure and encourage people to become donors.

My father, an engineer by profession, suffered sight problems in his early 30s.  Just one year after getting married, he was told he had corneal dystrophy, that the condition was genetic and that, not only would he go blind, but he should seriously consider not having children.  You can imagine the shattering impact this had on both him and my mother both in terms of his professional career and their hopes for family life.  Nevertheless, by dint of a great deal of research and much visiting of consultants, he was eventually seen by Benjamin Rycroft (later knighted for his expertise in eye surgery), who pioneered corneal graft operations.  This obviously depended on healthy corneas being donated when people passed away.  My father was given back his sight - in both eyes over some years - as a result.  Consequently, and unsurprisingly, both he and my mother were great advocates of organ donation.

When my mother passed away, she stipulated that she wanted her eyes donated - her contribution in gratitude for my father's sight.  This was done as she wished.  On the morning of her funeral we received a letter telling us that two people had benefited from her gift.  This was a wonderful thing to hear as we bid her farewell - and we know that her eyes are still looking out somewhere in this world!

My father had by this time been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.  As progress was made in treating this wicked disease, a "brain bank" was initiated in London.  Its purpose was to provide brains for research purposes to try and find both the cause and, consequently, a way of treating or even curing Parkinson's.  Both healthy and diseased brains were sought.  My father immediately signed up, stating that even though he could not be helped himself, he wanted, in some way, to help others - as he himself had been helped all those years ago.  When he passed away, his brain was harvested and it is of great comfort to both my sister and me that his wish was granted.  Both she and I are registered as brain donors.

For me, this was something I had been brought up with, but it's not always easy to tackle the subject with loved ones who are less familiar - and perhaps more than a little anxious - with the subject.  It took several conversations with my husband to achieve an understanding and real acceptance of why I wanted this to happen.  There is worry that donation will in some way diminish or damage the person who has passed away.  I can categorically state that this is in no way true.  I saw my mother before her funeral and she had been beautifully looked after - there was no way of knowing she had given her precious eyes.

Equally, I cannot describe in words the tremendous respect and gratitude that is given for the gift of vital organs.  The ability to give those gifts is a truly precious thing and something that everyone should consider.  I am so proud of both my parents for making the commitment to donate for the good of others and hope that when my time comes anything that is of any good at all will be equally well used.

For more information about the WI Time to Talk campaign, please see the WI website:
http://www.thewi.org.uk/campaigns/current-campaigns-and-initiatives/time-to-talk

Australia Day

As Australia celebrates its national day today (26^th January) we look back through the NFWI archives at a fascinating trip to Australia, taken by then NFWI chairman, Lady Albemarle, in 1951.

With Australians preparing to mark their Jubilee year in 1951, the Australian Government invited the NFWI to attend the celebrations. The NFWI annual review that year proudly reported on this invitation:

“The federation received a signal honour through the invitation to its chairman, Lady Albemarle, from the Australian Government to attend part of the 1951 Commonwealth Jubilee Celebrations. Lady Albemarle was able to accept the invitation, and flew out to Australia early in the New Year, taking with her a gift of a footstool for the Australian House of 

Commons. The gift was gratefully acknowledged by the speaker.”

Lady Albemarle presented a gift of a footstool to the Australian Government. The footstool, pictured below, was a replica of the Speaker’s stool from the UK House of Commons. The plaque on the stool reads:

“Presented by the National Federation of Women’s Institutes to the Commonwealth of Australia on the occasion of its Jubilee Year of 1951”

Her Majesty The Queen took great interest in the trip, and Lady Albemarle received the following letter before she flew to Australia:

Dear Lady Albemarle,

The Queen has heard with interest that you have received, and accepted, the invitation of the Australian Government to their Jubilee Celebrations this spring, and that the invitation came through the Australian Country Women’s Association. 

It is a delightful compliment to the work that is being done by country women all the world over, and the Queen bids me tell you how Her Majesty rejoices to think of all the greetings and good wishes that you will carry from the Women’s Institute members here, as well as the wonderful welcome you will receive from other Australian Associations.

The Queen desires me to say how much Her Majesty will look forward to hearing all about your visit.

Yours Sincerely,

Delia Peel,

Lady-in-Waiting.

If you would like to find out more about the history of the WI, please see our website where you can read about the WI’s campaigning history, or the history of the WI as an organisation. 

Stoke Road Sisters WI

Guest blog by Laura Wise, President of the Stoke Road Sisters WI

Stoke Road Sisters WI was formed in July 2014 with just a handful of interested ladies who had never been to a WI before yet wanted to make friends, learn new interests, and also contribute their existing skills and talents to others. It was very exciting getting to know each other and talking about what we would like to draw from our new WI. Very quickly a name was chosen, a strong name that would reflect our WI, and then we formed the committee, the back bone of our WI. Soon we had 70 members and we very quickly got organized and started to plan events and socials for our WI. It was amazing- before we knew it speakers were booked, newsletters were being printed, nights out organized and it really felt like this WI had been running for years and not only 4 months.

Our first speaker was a local historian, Andrew Negus, a very humorous and knowledgeable young man who talked to us about the villains and whores of old Portsmouth. It was a great start to our WI. This was followed by a chocolate making demo by a fellow WI advisor who kindly offered her talents at very short notice. We then proceeded to have a quiz night organized by two of our committee members. This was such good fun, and as we mixed people around, lots of new friendships were made. Then we had a craft meeting in which our ladies enjoyed making pin cushions and hanging decorations.

It was after this meeting that one of our committee members, a keen crafter asked if we could make felt poppies for Remembrance Day. The other committee members loved this idea and it was suggested that we could make a wreath. We agreed it would be a wonderful tribute to give this wreath to our community in memory and tribute to our armed forces. This seemed so fitting as Gosport is a military town and has strong connections to the armed forces. Many of our members are military wives, mums, Grandmas or ex-service personnel themselves. One of our ladies even has an MBE for her time in the Royal Navy.

The only problem was that Remembrance Sunday was just over four weeks away and this was going to be a real challenge. I got on to the British legion the very next day as I was determined to get the ball rolling for our ladies who were so passionate and determined to do this project. The British legion was very interested and within two days the Chair of our local British legion, Andy Brown, was in touch. Andy came along to our next meeting and met all our ladies. He was totally overwhelmed with their enthusiasm and admitted after the meeting that he had been expecting to see about 10 ladies with knitting needles not 60+ ladies full of the joys of life with laughter filling the air. Andy asked if we would like to present our Wreath at the Remembrance Service at Northcott House, a residential home set in lovely grounds in Gosport which is a living memorial for war veterans. We felt so honoured and proud to be invited alongside local councillors and local dignitaries to such a special event.

The following month we made the poppy wreath at our November meeting. Lin and Jo, the two committee members who had suggested the idea, cleverly made a template for all of our ladies to draw around and cut out a poppy. These were then stitched by hand. Some of our ladies wrote names on the back of their poppy in memory of loved ones. All our ladies wore something red to the meeting and a local photographer offered her services. We had the Military Wives and similar music playing, and it was a respectful and moving meeting.

A few days later we went to pay tribute and respect at Northcott House. Some ladies came with their partners, some turned up in military uniform. The service was beautiful, the sun shone and we were made to feel very welcome by all those involved. The local councillors were very pleased to see us there, representing not just the WI but our community too. It really was an honour to be a part of the service. We all had big lumps in our throats during the last post; it was very moving. Afterwards we were all invited into Northcott to meet the residents, and for tea and cake. It was so welcoming and lovely to meet not just the residents but the carers too. One resident we met was 99 years young and was actively chatting to us all and proudly displaying some beautiful medals. We agreed that our wreath would stay at Northcott House on display for all to enjoy. We have been invited back to the Remembrance service next year and we have also offered in return to support and help in any future events at Northcott House, from fetes to afternoon tea. We feel so honoured to be affiliated with Northcott.

The Stoke Road Sisters I am sure will grow from strength to strength, the participation in the poppy wreath and service has not only united us as friends with each other, but also with our community. We are so very proud of all that we have achieved so far and this has started the key stones for us to carry on as a strong, committed and passionate WI. We are a very mixed WI of all ages, which makes our group very fresh, fun and current, yet still keeping the traditions and ethos of the WI. We love to make new friends, try different experiences and learn something new.

I think we can proudly say we are the new generation of the WI. We look forward in continuing to make new friendships, support our community and current issues and keeping the WI traditions alive. Not bad for a WI that has only been running for 5 months.