Feminists of_ celebrates its first birthday on the 15th of March 2022. In the last year we've had the joy of building this inclusive network, first across the country, before we joined together across the world. Our chapter survey showed us that you're also feeling the joy.
90% Feel more committed to the gender equality movement
As an impact of being part of Feminists of_
For Women's History Month, we're shouting about five of our chapters: Coventry, Oxford, Surrey, Lancaster and Bromley.
I love Lancaster because it's provided so many opportunities.
MEET LANCASTER
WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR CITY:
I love Lancaster because it's provided so many opportunities. It's allowed me to go to university, meet amazing people, become the president of Lancaster University Feminist Society and most importantly start up Fo_Lancaster!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR YOUR CHAPTER:
With the chapter I am hoping to create a safe space where like minded people can connect. We want the space to empower and allow marginalised voices to be heard! So far our stand out events have been a fundraiser for the Afghan support campaign & with femsoc (which has overlapping members) we did a 5k fancy dress walk for period poverty.
WHAT EVENTS HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP:
We have an upcoming meet up where we will discuss what we want to do with the chapter in the future. One thing we already would love to do is raise money for local charities.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND FEMINISTS OF LANCASTER:
Instagram: @Feminists_of_Lancaster Facebook: Feminists of Lancaster
The biggest challenge facing chapters is
55% Knowing how to get started and finding allies
we all move forward when we recognise how resilient and striking the women around us are - Rupi Kaur
MEET OXFORD
WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR CITY:
I love Oxford because of its culture, diversity and all-round good vibes!
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR YOUR CHAPTER:
The Chapter is for fun and feminism, and will evolve to accommodate its members.
WHAT EVENTS HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP:
Rooftop drinks meet-up coming soon...
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND FEMINISTS OF LANCASTER:
Twitter: @FeministsOxford Instagram: @feministsof_oxford
WHO ARE YOU CELEBRATING THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMENS MONTH:
We are enjoying and sharing the poetry of Rupi Kaur
we all move forward when
we recognise how resilient
and striking the women
around us are
- Rupi Kaur
We really love that we're able to make Bromley feel like a little neighbourhood
MEET BROMLEY
WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR CITY:
FO Bromley covers quite a large geographic area and we have members from Crystal Palace, Penge and Beckenham through to Chislehurst and Orpington. Some of the things we love about Bromley are the amazing and varied green spaces (fancy a walk with some dinosaurs, anyone!? or maybe an open-air swim?), as well as having so many indie shops, cafes and restaurants at our disposal.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR YOUR CHAPTER:
We want to build a community! It's been so amazing to meet such wonderful like-minded women as part of this chapter. We really love that we're able to make Bromley (London's largest borough) feel like a little neighbourhood and we hope to grow the community and be a space for women to make connections and feel empowered to create change
WHAT EVENTS HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP:
At FO Bromley we are full of ideas! This year we plan to check out a 'Herstorical' walk, take a self-defence class together, visit the Frida Kahlo exhibition and a group of us are heading to the Guilty Feminist live show. We also have regular after-work meet-ups for dinner and walks in the warmer months.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND FEMINISTS OF LANCASTER:
We're on Instagram! Find us @feminists_of_bromley
WHO ARE YOU CELEBRATING THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMENS MONTH:
We couldn't celebrate only one womxn! So we decided to focus on the women on ground in Ukraine who are fighting, trying to escape and/or providing aid to people there.
There are always things- such as theatre productions and music gigs, going on all year round.
MEET SURREY
WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR CITY:
We love our city because it's such a vibrant and upcoming county to live in. There are always things- such as theatre productions and music gigs, going on all year round. Surrey is a very inclusive place to live. Guildford and Woking have a mix of people living there, so different people integrate with others all the time.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR YOUR CHAPTER:
We want to build a Surrey community, which is also a positive and safe space for everyone. We want people to feel welcome and supported regardless of their sexuality, gender, race, religion or culture.
WHAT EVENTS HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP:
At the moment, this Chapter is still in the early stages, but myself and Soph want to host an introductory meet-up soon, so we can recruit more members! We have other things in the pipeline as well, such as planning inclusive art workshops and bi-weekly/monthly meetings.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND FEMINISTS OF LANCASTER:
We have an official instagram account (@feministsofsurrey) and a Whatsapp Group!
WHO ARE YOU CELEBRATING THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMENS MONTH:
It's quite a cliche answer, but I'm (Jess, Community lead is) going to be celebrating [her] mum! She's done so much for me over the last 20 odd years, and I appreciate it, and her so much. We've done- (and gone) through a lot together, so I'm going to take the time today to let her know how much she means to me. Unfortunately however, I won't be able to visit her in person, as she lives in Devon.
MEET COVENTRY
WHY DO YOU LOVE YOUR CITY:
Coventry has such a rich history of resilience, reconciliation, and people power. From the museums, to the thriving small businesses, and culture, it’s a great place to live and seeing how it’s developed since I moved here 13 years ago. It’s also a very welcoming place for migrants and refugees, and there are lots of organisations who work with and welcome vulnerable people from all walks of life.
WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR YOUR CHAPTER:
Connecting with people in the region who want to support each other in terms of bringing about change; this could be in the workplace, in social settings, but mainly just knowing we have a strong support group who can share their joys and struggles.
WHAT EVENTS HAVE YOU GOT COMING UP:
A podcast about local/national feminist issues.
WHO ARE YOU CELEBRATING THIS INTERNATIONAL WOMENS MONTH:
For international women’s month, I would like to celebrate Zarah Sultana, the MP for Coventry south. She was elected in 2019 on a platform of bringing about radical change i. Society, and changing our approaches to looking after the vulnerable, and long term vision for combatting climate change. She had endured intense backlash, particularly on social media, when it comes to her support of causes like Black Lives Matter, freedom for Palestine, and challenging Islamaphobia, but she’s not backing down. She also uses social media to break down the barriers between the people and parliament, helping understand what goes on behind closed doors.
WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND FEMINISTS OF LANCASTER:
@ feminists_of_coventry