Local feminism groups

[sethstarkaddersmum]

I have an assignation with another feminist! How exciting! We're meeting to talk about setting up a local group.

Is anyone else involved in setting one up, or part of one, in their area?

What would you want from a local group, or what would you do if you were involved with one?

[AliceWorld]

How exciting. There is a real wave of them being set up at the moment which is so very exciting

There's a guide at UKFeminista that you might find useful.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

ooh, there is guide isn't there, I'd forgotten that!
thanks

[jenny60]

You could set up a local branch of Fawcett if you have memebrs or know any people who mgith like to become members. That's what's been done where I live and so far the response has been fab. This was a very active feminist area in the '70s and now there's a revival. We will be going in a group to the Fawcett AGM soon which will be great. It's been an absolute joy for me to meet with like-minded women in RL. Hope yours goes well too.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

that's an interesting thought Jenny.
I wonder what the advantages would be of doing that rather than an independent group. The Fawcett Society rocks.

The woman I am meeting is younger than me and doesn't have kids; I have 3 incl 2 preschoolers but don't WOHM, so we will have very different needs & opportunities & interests from each other, which could either make it tricky or very interesting and productive!

[jenny60]

The advantage, as far as I see it, is that you belong to a bigger whole and that means more resources, more back up, more feeling of colectivity and, for Fawcett, more money for their coffers. In my group we have women from 18 to, I would guess, 70. Some are mothers, some are students, some are f/t or p/t workers, some are a combination or none of those. They're not all members of Fawcett, some are members of other feminist and/or women's groups and Fawcett provides a really great umbrella under which we can all meet. I like Fawcett too because it provides a space to discuss the issues that are important to women and it fosters activism too.

[vesuvia]

sethstarkaddersmum, good luck with setting up a group!

I am curious to hear how the idea came up between the two of you.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

she posted on UK Feminista that she was looking for feminists in the local area and set up a 'feminist seeks other feminists' FB group.

15 people have joined the group but no-one else has posted anything on it so we thought we might as well get the ball rolling with a real-life chat about what to do.

[vesuvia]

sethstarkaddersmum, when are you meeting? I hope you will keep us updated on how it goes.

[sethstarkaddersmum]

tomorrow if she confirms.
yes, will deffo come back and chat about it.
Once we get going I will advertise it on Mumsnet Local too!

[msrisotto]

I'm technically part of my local feminists group but am a new joiner so have only been to one meeting. At the moment, we're organising a reclaim the night march! Finding funding etc, good stuff! Good luck setting up yours!