JKR & the Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht

[CantDealwithChristmas]

So The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht book is out tomorrow (I have pre-ordered) and The Times today includes an extract from JK's chapter in which she lays out with searing honesty why she decided to speak out about the issue, and how the subsequent online monstering felt.

I don't know how to paste a paywall free link but this is the actual one: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/jk-rowling-stand-up-women-trans-book-r6jlglpvq

I raised a wry smile at this part:

"People who’d worked with me rushed to distance themselves from me or to add their public condemnation of my blasphemous views (though I should add that many former and current colleagues have been staunchly supportive). In truth, the condemnation of certain individuals was far less surprising to me than the fact that some of them then emailed me, or sent messages through third parties, to check that we were still friends."

Can't help but wonder if it's Radcliff or Watson she's referring to here!

Who else has the book on pre-order and what are we looking forward to most about it?

It was recorded so I'm sure it will be available somewhere soon

Oh bum I missed it. Oh that's crap 😢

I arrived late so missed JKR's contribution. Glad to hear it's all recorded!

I was in time catch Pam Gosal's contribution and I felt deeply for her being called racist and homhopbobic after what she had braved. I'd only listened to the committee sessions online and I hadn't realised she'd gone through so much even to try to get our voices heard.

From the Rowling Library:

https://twitter.com/rowlinglibrary/status/1798411388622356554?s=19

Scottish poet Magi Gibson @MagiGibson read a statement by @jk_rowling in the presentation of the book "The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht" #WomenWhoWouldntWheesht

https://twitter.com/rowlinglibrary/status/1798412697433948514?s=19

A transcription of this statement is already available at Rowling Index 👉rowlingindex.org/work/swwww/

"I’m so sorry I can’t be with you tonight, but I’m very definitely there in spirit. As I’ve already said publicly, I’m immensely proud to be counted among the women in this book. Many of my fellow contributors had already risked their livelihoods and reputations before I spoke out and their courage remains my inspiration. Our opponents in the battle to protect women’s rights tend to operate on the divide and conquer principle. Every woman speaking out in the current climate will be familiar with the attempts to cast her as a lone outcast voice, or at best, part of an eccentric fringe of society. But we know differently. And speaking personally, I have the letters and emails to prove it. This book is the best evidence so far of the breadth of women’s solidarity and the effectiveness of grassroots action. No matter the threats and abuse, I’ve never regretted outing myself as gender critical. My fellow contributors and I have all been through trial by fire and emerged stronger and more united. Truly, we are the witches they can’t burn. The Campaign for Women’s Sex-Based Rights has always been and always will be one of the causes of my life. May the women who wouldn’t wished continue to stand as an example to our daughters and a warning to misogynists everywhere of what happens when you piss off Scottish women. May we never hod. Thank you very much. "

Message from Filia:

https://twitter.com/FiLiA_charity/status/1798453471785410890?s=19
We are so grateful to all who attended our webinar for The #WomenWhoWouldntWheesht and HUGE apologies to those who were unable to, due to @zoom not letting you in fast enough.
We are working on getting the recording out ASAP and #WatchThisSpace for other updates!

So here's this remarkable myriad of grass-roots women, who have 'organised' like latter-day Joe Hill's, to confront a misogynistic and homophobic pressure group, funded by some of the richest people on the planet... when I were a lad, that was pretty much the definition of 'left-wing'. But in the current Looking Glass world...

I think it was Lucy from MBM who said something along the same lines during the webinar. How people seem to underestimate the amount of knowledge, skills and intelligence that women have through education, the workplace and home and how those people just can't comprehend that those women could or would organise to fight for women's rights - they assume it must all be co-ordinated and funded by shadowy right wing sources. I think JCJ has said something similar before in the past too.

Governments/institutions/politicians have underestimated women at their own peril.

I perhaps haven't worded that exactly as Lucy said. Blame my memory if it's not completely right!

But it's like this place. It's filled to the gunnels with experts in their field, academics, women who have extensive background (both professional and personal) in these issues and people who are fiercely (sometimes rather intimidatingly!) intelligent.

Heaven forfend these women be considered intelligent enough to actually organise ourselves - it must be the work of our right wing overlords!! (Sarcasm, obviously)

DINNAE LET MY INTELTLITNEGNCE INTIMTIDATE YE HEN

you crack me up RF! 😂

women coming together with other women never stops moving me and inspiring me.

If you've never been to FiLiA before I do thoroughly recommend it. Its a weekend like no others you will experience. Listening, talking, crying, laughing dancing, connecting! Make sure you book a party ticket!

https://www.filia.org.uk/

But it's like this place. It's filled to the gunnels with experts in their field, academics, women who have extensive background (both professional and personal) in these issues and people who are fiercely (sometimes rather intimidatingly!) intelligent.

Oh, come on, Wait. Everyone knows that we're all silly little mummies on here, and mummies can't do things like organise and campaign. Our little brains are preoccupied with things like buying nappies and worrying about breastfeeding.

CHIEF MAMMY TAE YOU

Book launch link

Message from Filia

A huge thank you to everyone who made this important book launch possible – to the speakers, the FiLiA team and to you, the attendees.
We sold out, with 1,000 of you registering.
The feedback has been tremendous and emotional.
"Thank you for hosting this book launch. It was fantastic, emotional, empowering and inspirational"
"I am going to contact the libraries in my work area to order copies. They may refuse but as you all said 'Don't give up!'"
"What a fabulous session - thank you so much"
Apologies to those of you who were unable to access the webinar – we have written to Zoom to ask why it was impossible for some of us (including our CEO!) to join, and will let you know the outcome of that complaint.
The FiLiA team have turned around the recording quickly and you are the first to receive the
Enjoy re-watching (or watching for the first time!).
We are pleased to share a message from Lucy Hunter Blackburn and Susan Dalgety with you:
“We are overwhelmed by response to the launch, and the book. Thanks to everyone. Over the last few years all of us have been bound together by our sex, holding each up other, looking out for each other. A manifestation of FiLiA’s values - sisterhood and solidarity.”
Thank you again for being a part of this historic event.
Sisterhood and Solidarity,
FiLiA team

Honestly nearly cried listening to all that

❤️❤️❤️

https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/the-women-who-wouldnt-wheesht-review-susan-dalgety-lucy-hunter-blackburn-wvrd6q50c

'With little more than brains, grit and some handmade merkins, these women took on the Scottish government'