On Yorkshire Day, 1st August, FAN celebrated with a stall at Bradford’s Darley Street Market. The packed-out event, organised as part of the Women of West Yorkshire (WOWY) Network gave an opportunity for lots of women’s organisations and businesses to showcase our offers while enjoying a diverse programme of entertainment, from speeches, songs and dance to a glittering performance by the Bradford Belles.
We had our hands full as women of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed our display, signed the mailing list and told us of their own struggles and successes against sexism, misogyny and inequality. Huddersfield nurses remembered their successful 1980s fight against the closure of their nurses’ home, women from Keighley Women’s Centre and Bradford’s Staying Put organisation spoke of their ongoing work, and one woman, on seeing the flyer displayed, fondly recalled attending the 1996 conference on Violence, Abuse and Women’s Citizenship. This conference, organised by FAN founder Jalna Hanmer, attracted 2,500 women from 132 different countries, and lasted six days. She sent a picture of the flyer to the friend with whom she went, and both were delighted to see it remembered.
We are keen to reach out to more women, to promote what we do and the treasures we hold, to ensure that feminist activism is not forgotten, and that its records are available to the widest possible audience. Do let us know about any events we might attend.