Woman’s place UK conference

[Silencedwitness]

Is anyone else thinking or going?

womansplaceuk.org/conference-womens-liberation-2020/

[ArranUpsideDown]

the policy panel session - Alice Sullivan, Lucy Blackburn and Mary Ann Stephenson explained everything so clearly

I was at that panel and learned a lot from it. The nett value pension worth figures were a bit of a revelation.

If I understood it correctly, the account of what had happened in re: safeguarding in Childrens' Homes in her area was shocking.

[A woman had opposed the suggestion that the numbers of night staff should be reduced in Children's Homes. (It was already known that there were problems with cars parked outside ready to pick up children.) She insisted on conducting an Impact Assessment. Long story short, she was taken off that project and her assessment and amendments were deleted.]

[Lordfrontpaw]

I have seen the photo is Liane all over twitter today. Also some mutterings that she’s not ‘all that’ but as always with twitter, it’s vague.

However the photo is a hoot. Those protestors haven’t a clue - I dont think they realise that she isn’t ‘with them’.

[stealthLangnutkin]

It warms my heart to see a resurgence in Feminist public meetings. I was afraid for a while that the backlash had killed off what it had not appropriated.
I would hug you all if I could.

I'm starting to feel some real hope for the future. Massive thanks and appreciation to all the sheroes who kept the flame alive through the darkest times.

[Voice0fReason]

It was such an amazing day. Brilliant talks and workshops.
So many fantastic women. I loved it.

[TerfTerf]

Write up!

morningstaronline.co.uk/article/womens-liberation-bursts-back-scene-0

[T0tallyFuckedUpFamily]

That’s a brilliant write up. Thanks for that link TerTerf I hope those foolish young women read it and realise that they are pawns in a sexist attack on women’s rights.

[nonsenceagain]

I enjoyed the law session, even as a non lawyer. The three speakers covered different angles and the questions were fab.

Can anyone who went to the higher education one tell me about it please? I couldn't make it.

[HerFemaleness]

''I have seen the photo is Liane all over twitter today. Also some mutterings that she’s not ‘all that’ but as always with twitter, it’s vague.''

I met her at Filia. I don't know what they mean by 'not all that'. I thought she was really nice and funny.

[Lordfrontpaw]

Something about a group she is in - religious or something? It’s hard to follow twitter grumblings sometimes!

I do like the photo though - at first I thought it was staged because it was just so bizarre (amazing styling of Liane and the daffy girls behind her grinning away merrily without a clue).

[Socrates11]

Just an absolutely amazing day. So well organised. UCL Women's Liberation Special Interest Group and WUPK made a massive contribution to women's liberation with this conference. Providing space for inspiration, education, networking, somewhere for action to develop & grow. Every single woman I spoke to had interesting things to say about so many things important to women. It was a day of connection, love and laughter. We are on the move!

Opening plenary hosted by Prof. Sophie Scott, (I can't wait to read the speeches again) the brilliant Pragna Patel talked about needing a politics of political values rather than getting stuck in the cul-de-sac of identity and spoke of the movement of women fighting & singing for their rights across the globe.

Joanna Cherry QC noted how much more sexist the workplace of politics was than the law and talked about how it was to come out as a lesbian for her & how society has changed in a good way in this regard.

So bloody refreshing to have two politicians (Joan McAlpine in final session) critically examining what the hell is going on & just talking about it with humour, wit and intelligence.

Then Maya who sets out her thinking so clearly and well that you just marvel that there is any fuss about this issue at all. Seems ludicrous but here we are. Her speech can be found in full here.

hiyamaya.net/2020/02/02/womens-liberation-2020-my-speech/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Then five panel sessions were run, based on the five WPUK 2019 resolutions.
womansplaceuk.org/new-year-resolutions-2019/

Judith Suisse one of the UCL women who made this conference happen chaired the How can we end Violence Against Women panel I went to. Karen Ingala Smith, Nina M and Fiona Broadfoot were panelists. This is the hardest one for me to recall in some ways, (I was right at back & we needed a bigger cooler room as we were jam packed in, some standing, others sat on floor) Nina M (Freedom Programme) discussed domestic violence, how our culture raises boys & talked about games such as Grand Theft Auto. Why are we still asking this question in 2020 says Fiona, (Build A Girl project) who is one of my favourite speakers, so passionate (she rocked the CEASE conference) Karen (NIA) is just so experienced and knowledgeable it was a little sad to hear a touch of pessimism in her conclusion, but no bloody wonder with the counting dead women work she does too. Very awesome Irish women contributed during questions, wish I could say what & who but hopefully more will be written elsewhere about this panel.

After lunch there were 30 workshops & attendees choose two to go to.

I did the women in media with the BBC team, who were all very professional and knowledgeable. It was interesting but not all of it seemed relevant, as I have no desire to be painted & given three minutes to talk on the TV Circus, much preferring writing & social media. But it was good to think about the different formats and the NHS whistle blowing woman in my group definitely needs her story reaching the widest audience possible.

Second workshop for me was Prisons, Frances Crook, Howard League and Jo Phoenix, OU criminologist. Rhona Hotchkiss, Prison Governor was also in room. Frances is indomitable, stop locking women up and get involved with monitoring these (essentially broken) institutions, which can be done several ways. Jo's story about Rita, who smashed her abusers Merc up after he'd had her gang-raped in a hotel was bloody grim.

Closing plenary Julie Bindel, Joan McAlpine and Kiri Tunks. Think I need a coffee break before I write this nextbit up, 😆 and to write feedback about the networking meetings, and just meeting so many marvellous women in one space.

Great choice of venue, accessible to Euston/Kings Cross. In an academic setting, with lovely lecture hall to gather nearly a thousand women in.

Tip top stewarding and security, people always on hand to help.

Worst part of day? Bar running dry!

[SunsetBeetch]

Someone mentioned that Aimee Challenor was one of the protesters yesterday, though I can't see them in the picture that Woman posted.

I think it was probably Eden Ladley.

"This turned out alright! Got some nasty shit from those you'd expect, but we had a good turnout and engagement in the workshop."

twitter.com/ladleye/status/1223632593943396353?s=19

[Lordfrontpaw]

I’ve had a trawl on twitter and it’s most likely a personal spat between GLOTUK and some activist in America. You can’t be sure who is who these days can you?

[Socrates11]

Dear oh dear Sunset, our Eden likes a bit of drama. Dancing or eye rolling were the extent of the 'nasty shit' I saw from Women's Libbers. Was anyone bothered enough to engage? Too much feministing to get on with inside!

[Cuntysnark]

I was outside when they arrived and when Liane had the photo taken. We just tutted...

[Rubidium]

More photos: twitter.com/satiricole/status/1224013646050811906

[T0tallyFuckedUpFamily]

We just tutted.

But you must have done it in such an aggressive manner, that you hurt their poor little ears.

[AmericanSlang]

I was there on Saturday and was interviewed by a journalist from Woman's Hour, I think they talked to a number of delegates. It isn't a programme I usually listen to, has anyone heard when they may be featuring coverage of the event?

[VinandVigour]

A late report from me, as I was partially responsible for the bar running dry, and then continued over the road in a hotel bar, in the group mentioned before, which also included Helen Steel! So as someone who drinks very rarely, I stayed over in a London rather than try to dash for last train!
The two plenary sessions were fantastic, standing ovations, cheering, applauding. Hearing a thousand women cheer at a Women’s Liberation Conference 2020, would we even have thought of celebrating the 50th anniversary just, say, three years ago? a big cheer for Mumsnet and also for Woman’s Hour, who were also in attendance.

In the first session was the wonderful Mary Davis, who was at the 1970 conference.

Can’t believe no one has mentioned the food, which was not only very good, but plentiful, for arrival, lunch and afternoon tea. I hadn’t even realised there would be lunch so that was a big plus.

The afternoon sessions were fantastic, Grassroots campaigning with Jean Hatchet and Ali Ceesay were fabulous. Also Women and Law with Audrey Ludwig and Julian Norman AMAZING!

Then went to local meet up session, lovely to have a fun chat with people who were all equally inspired by the day.

Although I would have liked to meet up with more Mumsnetters, I was actually really pleased that there were few blue bands, although I was wearing one. Imagine if it had been a sea of blue bands, we would certainly have been accused of being the only Minority interest group concerned about Women’s Rights, as it was there were all these knowledgable women who had come to that point from so many difference sources. We now know for sure that there are women, many, many women out there who think the same as us Mumsnetters.

I think the three UCL academics could benefit from the same card sending that we did for the MSPs and councillors, so that’s my task for today. They really stuck their necks out to get this conference held there, and I believe it was against not insignificant opposition.

Thanks to WPUK, stall holders, quilt and banner makers, and all the helpers, security bar staff, and all the other delegates. It was an amazing experience.

[chilling19]

Yes, agree - the food was good!

[T0tallyFuckedUpFamily]

It sounds amazing.

[Dolorabelle]

Oo yes the food. Loads of it and I snagged an almond croissant in the morning! Always a plus at conferences.

[Thinkingabout1t]

Looking forward to reading this thread, wifi permitting as i’m on a train. I would have been there, but was looking after mother-in-law and thinking what a terrific turn-out you got, given the vast number of women kept away by their caring duties! Well done everyone who made it.

[EverardDigby]

I couldn't go because of caring duties for my DM. Would like to listen to some of the speeches though if they're up.

[pombear]

To the young woman who yelled at us as a small group of us got off the train before we'd even got to the venue to tell us that we were 'fucking disgusting' and that 'transwomen are women'.

I wish we could have had a conversation with you. But you walked off after abusing us.

To the young people yelling at us as we arrived at the venue, shouting 'trans rights are human rights', a point with which I agree, though I would like to discuss with you how women's rights may be different to trans rights, but you were just shouting at me, so we couldn't have a discussion.

I wish you could have joined us and listened to the discussions inside.

To all of you on this board who weren't able to join us due to caring responsibilities, ill health, financial issues, or fear, you were there with us, we carried you in with our thoughts. More articulate posters will give you a rundown of the day, and films of the talks will be up soon.

But I carried you in with me, in my thoughts and my conversations. Almost 1000 women in once space carried so many others' voices and experiences.

That's the power of women getting together.

[Lordfrontpaw]

To the young women: ‘good luck, you’re going to need it’