GMB North West and Irish Region Connect Magazine May 2018 | Page 18

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ALWAYS WEAR YOUR INVISIBLE CROWN It may be dented, it may not stay on straight, but never allow anyone to dull your sparkle. Never allow anyone to take away your power - you decide how you wish to feel – nobody has the right to tell you. We discussed the role of women in the trade union movement and used it to share experiences, to laugh and come together. If Women Rose Rooted was the book by Sharon Blackie. I shared the story of the Selkies – of her wearing coarse skins which try as she might did not reflect who she was. She began to perish trying to fit in for others. The moral of the story was above all the risks out there in the world, live an authentic life - be yourself and listen to your instincts. As Regional Equalities Officer it was a pleasure and a privilege to invite and hopefully inspire our sisters at the conference. Our very own Regional Secretary, Paul McCarthy, opening the day’s event and welcomed familiar faces and those who were there for the first time. He encouraged everyone to be vocal and to become involved in the days’ events. Clare Hargreaves read Clara Barton’s speech of Women’s suffrage and the powerful words resounded within each of us. That she was born believing we have full rights without a price to be paid, to be treated equally with respect and with freedom of speech. That man is self-made and self-approved, placing crowns upon heads with their own hands. Karen Lewis, Regional Officer with responsibility for Equalities shared the statement that was passed to her by Senior Organiser, Giovanna Holt. Always wear your invisible crown! We discussed the challenges and threats that we encountered at work on a daily basis and how in some places, where we managed to break through the glass ceiling only to find that it had been doubled-glazed or, as Thatcher did, pulled up the ladder completely! We discussed the issues we face such as discrimination, childcare issues, unequal pay, overlooked for promotion, menopausal quips from misogynistic cave-men who think it’s just banter or acceptable discussion – could we ask if a man was having an erection if he suddenly went blank…. I fear not! We agreed we needed to rise rooted to ensure that branches are relevant and reflective of the membership which it represents. Giovanna then shared the documentary, ‘Hull’s Headscarf Heroes’ I can fully recommend that you watch this programme as all good fights are born from the wombs of women - from the first strike of 1,500 women within the Dagenham factory who fought for equal pay; the women of the Second World War - the way women entered factories making parachutes and still raised a family only then to be persuaded and encouraged to take back up their “normal duties”. So a woman’s place is in her heart, not in the kitchen nor in the bedroom, unless she so desires. Women don’t need to be ignored, women don’t need to find their voices, some just need empowering and a collective contribution from the sisterhood - and I add the brotherhood too as the changes are universal and starts with all humanity. This changes the way strength is perceived, with courage, commitment and collective as these are the key ingredients to any cake she didn’t decide to bake so we’re not moody, we are the motivators, the mothers, sisters, aunts and grandmothers who carry the light that some try to dim. We are the trailblazers that some try to trip up. We are never defeated whilst there is breath inside of us, we may get winded, but tomorrow is another day so what you thought was a Phoenix rising from the ashes was really a W O M A N………… 18 Karen Lewis Regional Equalities Officer 19