MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FESTIVAL 2018 Diary of events manchester.gov.uk/IWD Jaheda Choudhury-Potter WE ARE ALL Feminist,CELEBRATING Musician, Producer100 YEARS OF #STRONGMCRWOMEN#STRONGMCRWOMEN1 FOREWORD International Women’s Day has been So for International Women’s Day this year, celebrated since 1910, when activist Clara we want to mark the diversity, strength Zetkin proposed the idea of recognising and resilience of women with a festival of the achievements of women and raising celebratory, educational and participatory awareness of women’s issues. Her idea events throughout March. The intention is was rapidly taken up by women’s groups, to create a legacy for the future, inspiring trade unions, socialist societies and working others to persevere, to keep striving for women’s clubs before spreading globally – equality and, ultimately, to take great pride the first International Women’s Day (IWD) in being a woman. was just one year later. This diary includes events funded through Here in Manchester we’ve celebrated IWD Manchester City Council’s small-grant fund for more than 25 years. Each year’s theme for local not-for-profit organisations, and is set by the IWD Steering Group, which is part of the criteria for this year’s grants was chaired by the lead member for women, to create events linked to this year’s theme. and comprises organisations, individuals There will also be events from partners and and partners from across the city. other organisations. Strong Manchester Women – our overarching theme in this centenary year of the first women getting the vote – aims to reflect the tenacity, ambition and resilience of Manchester women in making our city the dynamic world-class city it is today. The women of Manchester are the backbone of the city. Manchester women juggle a number of roles as leaders in our neighbourhoods, inspiring friendship, creating a sense of community, and instilling pride. They contribute to the economic success of the city in their roles across the professions and in all areas of work, as well as being the keystone of family life. Key: IWD Funded by an IWD grant WW Part of the Wonder Women series of events 2 MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FESTIVAL SUFFRAGETTE CITY FEMINIST TAKEOVER AND FESTIVAL LAUNCH WHEN: 23 February to 10 March WHEN: Thursday 1 March, 6–8pm WHERE: The Refuge, Principal Hotel, Oxford Road, WHERE: Manchester M60 7HA Manchester City Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3JL ABOUT: This exhibition, curated by Manchester ABOUT: Digital Music Archive co-founder Alison Celebrate the launch of Wonder Women Surtees, features photographic portraits 2018 with a feminist takeover inspired by of 25 key women in Greater Manchester the radical Manchester-born artist and music, chosen via a community vote feminist campaigner, Annie Swynnerton from 270 original nominations. It’s (1844–1933). part of a project aimed at recognising and celebrating Manchester women’s MORE INFORMATION: achievements in the music industry, Suitable for ages 15+ highlighting the roles women have played Accessible venue and bringing their voices to the fore. FREE MORE INFORMATION: Drop-in event Accessible venue FREE CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF #STRONGMCRWOMEN 3 21 WOMEN WHO CHANGED DIY: HOW TO BUILD YOUR THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN STRENGTH AS AN HIV POSITIVE WOMAN WHEN: Thursdays in March WHEN: Friday 2 March, 9.30am–5pm WHERE: East Manchester Academy, WHERE: 60 Grey Mare Lane, Manchester M11 3DS George House Trust, 75–77 Ardwick Green North, Manchester M12 6FX ABOUT: Students from two neighbouring east ABOUT: Manchester schools will attend talks by An HIV diagnosis can make women influential women in the community. feel unable to progress with their lives, They’ll research and learn about the 21 but this event aims to redress that, with nominated women in cross-school groups a workshop delivered by Thandi Haruperi, and create presentations about their a speaker, facilitator and trainer, who subjects that they’ll deliver to external believes that all women have the ability visitors and fellow students, who will vote to learn and grow from experiences, no accordingly. Following the judging, the final matter how challenging. two will debate in front of a live audience, who will select the overall ‘most influential’ Event programme: woman in history via a democratic vote. 9.30am–1pm: DIY workshop – How to Build Your Strength as a HIV Positive Woman MORE INFORMATION: Closed event 1pm–2pm: Buffet lunch IWD 2pm–3pm: Skin care sessions – How to treat your skin well and look after yourself 3pm–5pm: Glam up for International Women’s Day – make-up tutorials and manicure MORE INFORMATION: Wheelchair access, accessible lifts and toilets. Closed event – registration required: call Adela on 0161 274 4499 or visit www.ght.org.uk/events IWD 4 MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FESTIVAL LYNX THEATRE: SYLVIA WALK FOR WOMEN WHEN: WHEN: Saturday 3 March, 2–4pm Saturday 3 March, 2–4pm WHERE: WHERE: Working Class Movement Library, Starting outside Central Library in St Peter’s 51 The Crescent, Salford M5 4WX Square, the walk will end at Castlefield Bowl ABOUT: ABOUT: A one-woman performance that captures Everyone is welcome to come and help us the lesser-known life of Sylvia Pankhurst celebrate International Women’s Day 2018 the artist, against a background of over in a procession that will mark 100 years of 250 slides. This event will be followed by the first women winning the right to vote. a discussion. There’ll be speakers, music, poetry and singing until 4pm. MORE INFORMATION: This event is now full. MORE INFORMATION: Find out more and register at www.manchester.gov.uk/iwd or just come along on the day! CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF #STRONGMCRWOMEN 5 THIRD WOMEN IN MEDIA LOST VOICES EXHIBITION CONFERENCE AND LAUNCH WHEN: WHEN: Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 March, 10am–5pm Saturday 3 March to Sunday 7 October, 11am–4pm WHERE: People’s History Museum, Left Bank, WHERE: Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER Quarry Bank, Stockport SK9 4LA ABOUT: ABOUT: Returning for a second year at the A series of installations recaptures the People’s History Museum, this student-led lost voices of the many women who conference will celebrate influential women were still denied the vote following the who have succeeded in careers that include Representation of the People Act in 1918. journalism, television, filmmaking, radio, MORE INFORMATION: music, writing, blogging and photography. Suitable for all ages The conference will include keynote speeches, panel sessions and workshops Admission charges apply from prominent women in the media to Drop-in event inspire others to follow in their footsteps. It is organised by a team of student journalists from The University of Manchester’s student media collective Manchester Media Group, and supported by Amnesty International, Gorkana and the NUS. Suitable for students and non-student delegates. MORE INFORMATION: Booking required via Eventbrite: https:// www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-in-media- conference-2018-tickets-42168068829 Early bird £14 full weekend. £9 for day ticket (both plus booking fee) £16 for full weekend. £11 for day ticket (both plus booking fee) Profits will be donated to local charity MASH (Manchester Action on Street Health). WW 6 MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S FESTIVAL #PRESSFORPROGRESS – WONDER WOMEN ACCELERATING GENDER GUIDED TOUR PARITY WHEN: WHEN: Thursday 8 March, 1–2pm and 2.30–3.30pm Monday 5 March, 12 noon–3pm WHERE: WHERE: People’s History Museum, Left Bank, The University of Manchester, Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER University Place, Manchester M13 9PL ABOUT: ABOUT: Take a guided tour of the People’s History Award-winning scientist and author Museum and see how women have Angela Saini discusses gender stereotypes, campaigned for equality. The tour will look conditioned perception and her latest book, at the lives of women reformists, chartists, Inferior – How Science Got Women Wrong. suffragists, suffragettes, MPs, radicals and revolutionaries, and includes a visit MORE INFORMATION: to Savage Ink: The Cartoon and The Suitable for ages 15 and over Caricature exhibition. Suitable for adults FREE and young people. Booking essential via www.creativetourist. MORE INFORMATION: com/event/wonder-women/ Booking essential via Eventbrite: 1pm tour: https://wonderwomentour. eventbrite.co.uk 2.30pm tour: https://wonderwomentour2. eventbrite.co.uk Pay what you feel at the event. WW CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF #STRONGMCRWOMEN 7 THE ONGOING NAKBA INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY HULME WHEN: Thursday 8 March, 2–4pm WHEN: Thursday 8 March, 2–6pm WHERE: People’s History Museum, Left Bank, WHERE: Spinningfields, Manchester M3 3ER Ascension Church, 108 Royce Road, Hulme, Manchester M15 5LA ABOUT: Hear the stories of Palestine’s refugee ABOUT: women talking about the 1948 exodus An afternoon of debate, workshops and (the Nakba) to today, through poetry, information stalls for people who live, work, testimonies, film and photographs. Before study and play in Hulme, covering a range the talk, visit a stunning installation that of issues such as women’s sexual health and considers the plight of refugees from wellbeing, women’s age-friendly activities, Palestine and the rest of the world. information about cervical screening, fitness Suitable for adults and young people. for women over 50, as well as arts and crafts for young and old. The workshops MORE INFORMATION: will last about an hour, focusing on: No booking required to visit installation, on display 11am–5pm. i) Opportunities for young women Booking required for the talk via Eventbrite: https://theongoingnakba.eventbrite.co.uk ii) Cervical screening Pay what you feel at the event. iii) Educate, participate, celebrate: WW discussing the key challenges to women in society today, and what we could do in Hulme, individually and collectively, to start addressing them. MORE INFORMATION: Wheelchair access and accessible toilets If you’d like to get involved or set up a stall email [email protected] or call 07879 555 056.