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Original poster

Daily acts of feminism - a thread for ideas

441 replies

teawamutu · 14/03/2021 10:14

Pinched the idea shamelessly from another thread after an hour of speechless rage reading the papers and Twatter. I need to DO something.

I pledge to do something positive every day to stand up for women. Deeds not words.

Today was taken care of for me - a subscription to The Radical Notion for Mother's Day. I'm also going to fill out the VAWG consultation.

Thought might be good to share anything else we come across here, so anyone in need of ideas could check?

OP posts:
exLtEveDallas · 14/03/2021 19:33

I bought “Why Women are blamed for everything” for me, and the Victim Focus kids colouring book for work. I’m going to buy Invisible Women next.

I’ve donated again to Jean Hatchet’s ride for murdered women and will find another suitable women’s charity for next, any suggestions?

I think I need a new TShirt. I have an AHF one, but I fancy something from Wild Womyns Workshop next. I really fancy getting DD something suffragette based as well, so would love any recommendations.

I already challenge any use of gender instead of sex, and chastise anyone who calls me Cis. Think I’ll start making it clearer why.

TheRabbitOfCaerbannog · 14/03/2021 19:32

Rachel Rooney has taken so much unjustifiable abuse over a book that simply tells kids they should love their bodies. Things are so upside down.

MaudTheInvincible · 14/03/2021 19:29

Not on Hive either MouseTheDog Sad women are being censored

MouseTheDog · 14/03/2021 19:14

@MouseTheDog

Thanks for the thread. I’ve ordered My Body is Me from the transgender trend website. Happy to buy from there myself but disappointed it wasn’t available on Amazon/Wordery/Abe as the wider public are not going to stumble across it. Hmm...going to check now if it’s available from the library.
It isn’t Sad
MouseTheDog · 14/03/2021 19:11

Thanks for the thread. I’ve ordered My Body is Me from the transgender trend website. Happy to buy from there myself but disappointed it wasn’t available on Amazon/Wordery/Abe as the wider public are not going to stumble across it. Hmm...going to check now if it’s available from the library.

Original poster
teawamutu · 14/03/2021 19:08

I've seen many of you on various threads this week debating with the NAMALT brigade and I think those of you who have suggested giving them less oxygen is a good idea. I've come to the conclusion that many don't actually wish to engage and frankly, it's a waste of energy we could channel elsewhere.--

Very true. In fact one of my resolutions is to stop being pulled into 'sex is a spectrum because intersex' on Twatter.

Rather than get into the reasons sex isn't a bloody spectrum, the answer is actually 'this has nothing at all to do with biologically male people who wish they were the other sex'.

OP posts:
FindTheTruth · 14/03/2021 18:52

Thanks Wait.

Waitwhat23 · 14/03/2021 18:49

@FindTheTruth

out of interest where do you get your ribbons from?
I couldn't get anything local to me so had to go with Amazon. If you search 'Double Faced Satin Ribbon 16mm width- 25 Meters' or similar, you'll see the stuff I use.
FindTheTruth · 14/03/2021 18:47

an idea on this thread is to write to your local council about women's refuges losing funding and it better not happen here
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4178034-New-Women-s-Aid-CEO-sounds-sensible

FindTheTruth · 14/03/2021 18:46

out of interest where do you get your ribbons from?

CardinalLolzy · 14/03/2021 18:45

Thanks for the book recommendations, all!
I'm definitely going on a contributing spree this evening too.

tellmewhentheLangshiplandscoz · 14/03/2021 18:39

Thank you OP. I'm enjoying reading some great and positive ways for us to channel our energies ... what we have left at least! I've seen many of you on various threads this week debating with the NAMALT brigade and I think those of you who have suggested giving them less oxygen is a good idea. I've come to the conclusion that many don't actually wish to engage and frankly, it's a waste of energy we could channel elsewhere. Saying that I take the bait every bloody time and don't learn my lesson and I'm sure some numpty will make me see red soon, hey ho.

I've completed the two consultations upthread and messaged them to other women I know. I'm going to buy Invisible Women in a moment and I've signed up to the glowsswitch newsletter too. I went for a walk by myself last night at 6pm with my phone torch as a candle ... didn't see any other sisters out but I knew many were there in spirit.

I'm going to read this thread for lots more ideas but thank you everyone as I'm actually feeling a bit lighter already.

Thanks
WarriorN · 14/03/2021 18:36

news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1084782

Just seen this on twitter; another worthy cause for women.

MonochromeMinnie · 14/03/2021 18:34

@persistentwoman

Some great ideas here. A quick suggestion - try not to engage with people using threads on FWR as an opportunity to trash women, dead or alive. Huge progress is being made with women re engaging with feminism and some people are determined to try to sabotage this.
What was it that Gandhi said? First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they attack you, then you win. We're definitely in the attack phase now. There appears to be a war on women, which we will win!
Beamur · 14/03/2021 18:19

@Thenagainmaybetheydont

Join decision making groups - or talk to people who are on them:

become a school governor - they will make decisions about sleeping on residential trips, RSE, etc
join your workplace womens/diversity group - put your point of view across
become a parish councillor - they make decisions on planning and open spaces (so possibly leisure centre plans etc)

This is such a good point. Be part of the decision making process!
WarriorN · 14/03/2021 18:18

What lovely ideas! I especially like the slate idea.

Waitwhat23 · 14/03/2021 18:17

@Gerla

I ribbon the sufragette colours everywhere, whenever I'm out.

what do you mean exactly?

I got ribbons in purple, white and green, cut lengths of each and tie them around lampposts, trees, etc whenever I'm out on a walk. I've seen other people who are doing this who add labels with an explanation or with a slogan such as 'women won't wheesht' or 'women are watching'. There's a lady in Edinburgh who is known as 'the slate lady' who writes beautifully worded slates and leaves them in public parks and similar.
Original poster
teawamutu · 14/03/2021 18:14

@ValancyRedfern

Thanks for starting this thread. I think it was my idea you saw on another thread and I'm very happy it appealed to you!

Today I have donated to For Women Scotland

Tomorrow (more scarily) I will challenge the school where I teach on some of their Pshe materials.

I'm glad you found it, you definitely deserve the credit for the idea Flowers
OP posts:
Helleofabore · 14/03/2021 18:11

Not sure if anyone has posted this, but it is worth contacting the Baroness to see if she still needs letter writers or data gatherers. Even just an hour.

Or get your name on list for next time she needs a group effort.

[email protected]

PandorasMailbox · 14/03/2021 18:09

@Shizuku

Wear a badge like this to show that your feminism is inclusive.
Nah. I don't need badges, I'll be wearing my Thought Criminal t-shirt and Adult Human Female hoodie.
Gerla · 14/03/2021 18:08

I ribbon the sufragette colours everywhere, whenever I'm out.

what do you mean exactly?

Waitwhat23 · 14/03/2021 17:55

I'm on a village hall committee which is dominated by the only two men on it. During discussions, you can see the women on the Committee despairing at ever getting a turn to talk. At one meeting, I had been waiting for a while to talk and when I finally got a chance, the men said 'well, I think we've spent enough time on this now' and I said 'no, I haven't had a chance to talk at all'. I'm going to address this more at future meetings and encourage the other female members to do so as well.

I'm going to start challenging the use of cis whenever I come across it, particularly when it is used deliberately and rudely while speaking to women who have expressly said they object to its use.

I ribbon the sufragette colours everywhere, whenever I'm out.

I have given to women's causes recently but am going to step it up, especially to Fair Play for Women, For Women Scotland, Make Space for Girls and Keep Prisons Single Sex.

Gerla · 14/03/2021 17:46

BBC playing into hands of no debaters. They should have just gone ahead without them.

Agreed. They do it often enough on consumer programmes when whoever is being criticized "declines to comment". They should start recognising the no debate tactic for the underhand manoeuvre that it is.

334bu · 14/03/2021 17:42

Flying under the radar was the real motivation of " No Debate" U nfortunately still works as Johann Lamont who tried unsuccessfully to get sex added to Scottish Hate Crime And public Order bill had an interview cancelled on radio because they couldn't get someone to debate. BBC playing into hands of no debaters. They should have just gone ahead without them.

Gerla · 14/03/2021 17:39

Join decision making groups - or talk to people who are on them

Good thinking! I would add, even if you don't want to be a parish councillor, have a look at what they are doing in the area. If they are planning new playgrounds, for example, check that they are taking girls into account. (There are some excellent posts on mumsnet about this but I have temporarily forgotten the name of the poster who is working on this - sorry!)