Ajay Close did some of the research for her latest novel at Feminist Archive North. What Doesn’t Kill Us explores the story of Reclaim the Night and the Women’s Liberation Movement in Leeds, and reveals just how much the world has changed since the 1970s – and how much it hasn’t.

Ajay will be in conversation with Diana Muir, a junior reporter on the Yorkshire Evening Post in 1978, and copies of the book will be available on the night.

Wednesday 13 March, 6.30pm-7.30pm, Leeds Central Library, Room 700. Tickets are pay as you feel. Booking

 

If so, a new research project would love to hear from you!

A new research project at the University of Birmingham is exploring the history of sexual health in Britain from 1918 to 1980. A big part of this project involves the collection of oral history interviews with people who used or worked in sexual health clinics in this period.

At the end of the project in 2025, the oral histories will be deposited with the British Library and will form an exciting new collection on sexual health and wellbeing. This research will also help improve training and patient care today. More information about the project can be found here.

If you are interested in participating, or would like more details about the project, please contact Dr Claire Martin at c.martin.6@bham.ac.uk.

The memorial event for Jalna Hanmer in London on 11 November has been postponed. A new event is being planned for February 2024.

We have just catalogued a small collection donated by the daughter of Barbara Marlyn Hughes, a feminist campaigner and peace activist. Barbara, a mother of three, was described as  “strong, brave and proud”, and her Twitter handle was Raging Feminist Granny. She died suddenly at home, aged 75, in September 2021.

The collection includes a small collection of newsletters and posters on violence against women. There is also a headband handknitted by Barbara in green, white and purple with the words Greenham Common. You can see the collection here.

Shortly before her death, Barbara was interviewed by the Greenham Women Everywhere project. You can hear her interview here.

Barbara was also an avid clothes collector .Two of her dresses are currently in an exhibition in Bankfield Museum in Halifax until 23 December 2023. Opening the Wardrobe

There will be another event to celebrate Jalna’s life and work in London on Saturday 11 November. Information and booking.