Alternatives to the WI?

[TheBermudaTriangle]

I have lived abroad for several years now, but was previously part of my local WI Group. I have become a little disillusioned with the position of the WI in relation to self-ID and definition of "woman".

I am returning to the UK in a couple of months - are there any alternative woman's-only groups (for adult human females), similar to the WI, covering a broad range of interests (eg I am not particularly 'crafty'). I'm mid-30s and have no children.

I'm on the committee of my local WI. While fucking idiotic National may feel that their members would be Ok if a man joined their group, I can assure you that the members of my institute would be initially puzzled and then mutinous if a man joined.

I take the view that the tide is turning, and it's important for people who understand what the word woman means to stay members to help sanity return.

I suspect that a man would not find our institute very affirming. Most of the members are 50+, have short hair and wear trousers. We never have pillow fights, or even do any sewing. We just enjoy spending 2 hours a month in the company of other women. And for that reason I suspect we won't have any men joining.

Thanks @BernardBlackMissesLangCleg - that makes me feel hopeful. I was a little nervous that there had been a change in attitudes 'on the ground' which would have radically shifted things.

not to write off the WI who have a proud history and I'm sure most branches have a strong independent streak....but have you heard of the Soroptomists ?
not sure how much crafting they do but I know they are very active supporting women's projects, both locally and globally

I went to a soroptomists meeting. They were an impressive bunch of women who were doing amazing work particularly with women in prisons. They are TWAW though. How they can take that view when working with vulnerable women is beyond me. I didn't go back, I couldn't bring myself to give them my hard earned cash

I'm a Soroptomist and have no idea what the official line is but I can promise you the members in my group would not allow any male to join us. They'd be given very short shrift.

Its members are on the elderly side. I'm one of the youngest in my branch if not the youngest, and I won't see 60 again. We desperately need new women to join else many branches will close.

Thank you all. I hadn't heard of the Soroptimists before, so that's interesting (though I cannot agree with the TWAW stance). Agree with @AssignedBlobbyAtBirth - the mental gymnastics involved when working globally on topics such as advocacy and empowerment of women including those living rurally in developing areas must be exhausting.

It is on their website that TW are included and I rang and asked. I was very disappointed 😞

Townswonens Guild?

I really do think that the women 'on the ground' at Soroptomist meetings are not at all persuaded by trans nonsense. If the focus started to be shifted away from 'traditional' women & girls to the exciting new flavour with cock & balls, as it would, the women wouldn't have it.

I suspect HQ have the usual inaccurate belief of the desperately sad person who eventually takes some dramatic steps, poor them & let's be kind. But it'll be theoretical, not practical and you could always change branch if you find yours is ...ahem, not to your liking.

Why not try it and see how it goes?

My Granny was a soroptomist, as far ad I know it was an organisation for professional women (more unusual in Grannies heyday) she spent her retirement forging relationships with formidable Soroptomists all over the world, including developing countries and travelling all over the place facilitating self help and development projects for women and families using her network. I often feel unworthy in comparison!
She would not have thought TWAW but she was a highly practical doctor!
Is the Scottish Womens Rural Institute round here, not the WI, they are mostly farmers wives where i live so I'm sure they understand Biology but not sure what the official position is....

Interesting to read this thread. My local WI has an evening group and they’re holding an event basically called something like ‘meet a trans woman’ where I assume you’re supposed to fawn over them and get your attitude adjusted. How dull. I’ll look into the alternatives as I’d love to join some local groups and get out more.

Join your local Women's Rights group, OP!!
They are springing up like mushrooms all over the place!
Contact the Women's Rights Network for your local group.
www.womensrights.network/

We are a great gang here and talk about loads of stuff. And TW are not W.

Does anyone know how to contact the women's rights network as contact is via Twitter and I'm not on any social media.
thanks

@nzborn

Does anyone know how to contact the women's rights network as contact is via Twitter and I'm not on any social media. thanks

Same! Looks right up my street.

Sorry it's taken so long to get back to you, I was watching Kelly Jay on youtube...

Ah I see what you mean. I joined Twitter in order to get in touch with the WRN!

I will ask them right now if there is any other contact, but I don't think that there is.

Thanks, oldwomanwhoruns. I've searched online and can't find WRN on anything but Twitter, and I really don't want to get a twitter account. But I do want to join WRN.

Here you are:
[email protected]
For membership enquiries

It would still be worth trying the WI, the members I know (all on local committee and current/former presidents) are very gender critical.

Groups need younger women and they need GC women if things at HQ are going to change.

If your most local group is a bit TWAW then try another, they are geographic but tend to be pretty close together and people don't necessarily go to the closest.

@oldwomanwhoruns

Here you are: [email protected] For membership enquiries

Thank you - we need women to stand up to this madness.

@lapasion

Interesting to read this thread. My local WI has an evening group and they’re holding an event basically called something like ‘meet a trans woman’ where I assume you’re supposed to fawn over them and get your attitude adjusted. How dull. I’ll look into the alternatives as I’d love to join some local groups and get out more.

you know, this is an event I would definitely go to. This person has volunteered to be Exhibit A, to answer the questions of the curious. Surely it's an ideal opportunity to go and ask them questions. eg 'can you explain please how you and I have more in common than you and my husband?' 'can you explain please what 'feeling like a woman means?' with follow up comments such as... 'sorry, I may have the wrong end of the stick here, but you seem to be talking about sex role stereotypes?' As ever, asking these questions in the company of other people should be very eye opening.

If you want a women only group why not the WI. It's not all crafts. We do a wide range of activities, at least one or two a week.

@RuthW

If you want a women only group why not the WI. It's not all crafts. We do a wide range of activities, at least one or two a week.

The OP explained in her post:

I have become a little disillusioned with the position of the WI in relation to self-ID and definition of "woman".

She's not the only one, many women feel like this.