Really, really need some enthusiasm boosting - my confidence has been knocked

[FlamingoBingo]

I have a few friends coming to my Bridge event on Tuesday. I had thought they were coming for the same reasons I'm organising it. A friend this morning just said to me 'not sure quite why I'm coming, really. Just to support you, I guess, not because I think it'll make any difference'. So now I'm thinking (I am in a PMT fug, btw, so aware I'm prob being melodramatic) what's the fucking point? If I stand up to talk and am aware that potentially most of the people there are thinking 'aw, look at Flamingo, trying in a rather pathetic way to make a difference...isn't she sweet, even if she's a bit deluded', then what is the point?

Feeling very and very right at this moement.

Someone tell me what the point is? Will raising awareness and cash make a difference? How can I persuade myself I'm not making a complete arse of myself? How can I persuade any 'kind but cynical' supporters that there is a point in marching/protesting?

Please help! On the verge of cancelling the whole thing.

yay for Flamingo, go, go go!

That is an EXCELLENT speech Flamingo. I am in tears just reading it, I'm sure you will move people even more when you read it aloud.

Go for it today, I wish I could be there, but hope to at least get to another bridge :)

What you're doing and what you wrote makes me so proud to have met you on Saturday.

Thank you! Feel much more confident and excited now. It is simply beautiful weather here today. I've got dh atnhome today so have plenty of time and hands to get the last bits organised. I'll let you all know how it goes! And good luck to anyone else doing things for women today.

Good luck :).

Looks great! With you in spirit for your event!

Thank you all for your enthusiasm.

Today I have been getting lots of texted/emailed good luck messages, which is very kind, except the end of the messages keep saying 'sorry I won't be able to make it after all'

Feel like you do before a party or your wedding or something! We're all ready, but got at least another 1.5h before we need to think about leaving for the bridge, and I'm getting nervous!

Must find something to distract myself!

Well??! How did it go? :)

Um...well...there were 23 of us there...a few of my friends and their children, a photographer and a councillor who couldn't get away fast enough!

I did a shortened version of my speech. The kids had a good time being face painted and blowing bubbles.

The reporter just rang and said she'll put a note about the group I want to set up as well as the report, but I'm not holding my breath, after the last article.

I'm disappointed but not disheartened about it. The reporter also said that her editor is always asking them to get a response to things from a local woman's group, so we could get a lot of coverage eventually. It's a start, However small.

Onwards and upwards!

TWENTY-THREE? That's amazing.

From what you were saying I was worried you'd be on your own

Many congratulations on a fantastic start!

the thing about the reporter saying they often want a response from a women's group is potentially very significant. There must be lots of occasions when no women's group = no obvious person to comment = women's/feminist voicces not heard, especially in a situation where reporters are trying to turn a lot of stories round very quickly and don't have time to fish around much.

I would definitely count that as a success, both in terms of numbers and media coverage (look at the absence of media coverage of the Million Women Rise march!) Not unusual for the councillor to dash off, but it's definitely a good thing to have got him or her there.

Congratulations! You did really well.

agree with seth, very much so. that you are now the go-to girl for quotes re wimmin is very significant indeed.

Well done FB!

Thank you! A victory for the mm feminist topic, too then, because I definitely wouldn't know the things I know now, have gone to the ukfeminista workshop, have been brave enough, and have good enough arguments to have done it. I will not stop now - going to keep making a fuss and noise and keep hanging around here with this brilliant, intelligent, dynamic, inspiring group of feminists and keep on learning and doing.

Yes, will do this evening I hope.

I've just read this, you should be proud of what you've done, I haven't got the guts to do it.
Did your friend turn up? What did she have to say?
And don't forget, you didn't just make your speech to those in the room - by posting it here you made sure alot of people read it.
Thank you.