Courage Calls to Courage Everywhere

Another first time poster sticking a few hairs above the parapet to express my thanks to everyone who posts here.

I was shouted down quite aggressively when I first tried to raise my sense of disquiet in my social circle a few years back and was unprepared to do anything other than retreat muttering 'but it makes no sense' to myself. Since then, I have read, and read, and read here and elsewhere and am beginning to talk again. I still suffer from l'esprit de l'escalier but I am a little better able to back up my arguments.

Thank you all.

Another lurker who has finally made an account just to say thank you to the articulate, brave posters on FWR.

I'm another one who can't be very open in RL about my views because of my job but I'm doing little acts of rebellion for the cause of women's rights, same as many posters. Donating money, writing to MP's, trying to sound out friends and family. I'm sure the people who live in my area are probably quite baffled as to why purple, green and white ribbons are appearing all over the place but if one person thinks 'I wonder what they mean' and Google it, I see it as a win.

There are women all over the country, who are doing this, buoyed by the bravery of the regular posters on FWR and able to articulate reasoned arguments because of what is said here.

So, thank you

Church halls, cafes, toddler groups,nursery, the park...MRA may have tried to take over the internet, but there are just not enough of them to be everywhere else.

One angry women with six socks....of the woolly variety, I get very cold feet, delurking to say thanks for great info and explanations. I am least likely to sock puppet, once name changed for Halloween and didn't get round to changing back for a whole year and a bit... FFS!

This is such a lovely thread. and/or to everyone.

Think the posters on FWR are fab. You help me to articulate and explore my own thoughts and ideas. Thank you 🙏

Dear lurkers. You realise that the Proper Feminists with the degrees and stuff let me post?

I absolutely know that every single one of you has plenty to offer. Please don't feel compelled to post if you'd rather silently read, but if you would like to post, don't doubt yourself.

The MRAs certainly never spend a second on self doubt!

Another huge thanks to everyone!! I lurked for many years, and sometimes need to take a break, but always come back to the wisdom of FWR.

In truth, this is one of the most important places for women online, and sadly one of the very few where our voices can still be heard.

I recently read Gloria Steinham's My Life On The Road, it's a memoir about her life and travels. She mentioned 'talking circles' and how powerful they were during the feminist movement of the 60's and 70's. In small towns all over America they would gather in town halls or similar and women from all different backgrounds would share their ideas, experiences, knowledge. I feel that FWR is the online equivalent.

I also rarely post but have been reading this board for daily for years. Thank you for all your amazing posts. I feel like I have learnt so much about feminism from this board

Lurker, never posted, just wanted to say thank you too.

@MadameKali I noticed and thought the exact same thing! Men would never hold back for fear of not appearing eloquent or intelligent enough to take part in a debate.
I too am going to be braver from now on!
The women of FWR are superstars

Been lurking on FWR since I found you 8 yrs ago after having a baby. I almost never post, but I read your posts almost every day. Thank you for helping me articulate my thoughts and for bringing so many issues to so many people's attention

Funny, my own comment on this thread, and that of many others mentions not feeling articulate or intelligent enough post on many threads.

I thought it was just me but surely that's just female socialisation in action? I doubt many men ever think "Oh I'm not going to comment on this because I'm not clever enough and don't have enough grounding in the subject matter"

Note to self: be braver.

I love this thread, you lovely lurkers, Mumsnet, FWR telling us what's going on when the media don't, the visitors who stay, the scales falling off around the world and the fury on male owned sites that we can speak or lurk. ❤️

Lurking's good. It helps. It's a space to not feel alone. but if you feel you can't post because you don't have anything to contribute, I would so love it if you did, even one word or flowers.

And quieter voices from people who think about things, even in a fast moving thread, are a breath of fresh air.

Thank you

To go against the flow! Post it instead of preview it!

Avid lurker and ocasional poster.
Came for baby stuff, buying advice and stay longer. Have appreciated the warmth and support on these threads when the topic that occupy so much of our time hit close to home and now that it has abated I keep supporting as I can . Donated to Susan Evans and Mrs A case because I understand how hard is for a parent to his gains to the flow in this matter despite your instinct saying you are right to protect your child from themselves until they are older.
💐💐💐 to the women on this board for the courage, intelligence, solidarity and humanity they show under such difficult circumstances.

I remember that thread too! Oh, it made a small number of poster furious “you’re all lying!” “You’re all sock puppets!”, and wild accusations that feminists had somehow gamed the system, though it never was clear quite how...

Does anyone remember the thread MNHQ started which iirc simply asked what posters found valuable about the site. Zero leading questions.... what happened was, I think, unexpected to everyone- it was pretty much a massive FWR delurk. 'Came for the parenting, stayed for the feminism' was a pretty common theme.

I do, tried to find it by googling but no luck as I can't remember the exact title.

I only lurk too (but I’m a committed longterm lurker). But thank you to all of the amazingly brave women who take so much bloody abuse to defend women’s rights. I wish I had the gumption to join in.

Another lurker, occasional poster (and fairly regular name-changer). I come here every day, have learnt so much and am forever grateful for the wealth of information and links provided by others. Maybe one day I'll feel confident and knowledgeable enough to do the same for others.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you wise women of these boards. Your patience and knowledge is truly inspiring

This is a lovely thread

To anyone thinking they aren't articulate or knowledgable enough to add anything I completely understand that feeling. Like many others I lurked on here for years before feeling sure enough of myself to actually post, and I still only post a little bit. I read FWR avidly though, and learn, and follow links, and read articles, and garden when I can, and always I am conscious of the warmth and strength of the sisterhood. As KJK said in a recent video, wearing is action, and whenever we raise our voice in support of someone whose post we agree with, or buy a tshirt, or make a donation we are contributing and helping to make a difference.

Oh damn,I was distracted by the dog!
Of course, I meant to say a HUGE Thank You to all the wonderful women who are so knowledgeable and who share that knowledge with us.
💐💐💐