Elaine with her daughter's copy of The Economist

GWL was at the Dundee Women’s Festival in March, organising workshops to complement our mobile exhibition “Between Future and Past”. At the Women’s History Bring and Tell workshops in the afternoon, Elaine told us about her admiration for her daughter, and Sheila brought some beautiful photographs of her mother as a young woman when she worked in the Dundee Jute Mills.

Sheila with pictures of her mother

Her mother started working there when she was 12, when some children went to school in the morning and then worked in the Jute Mills in the afternoon. We talked about how difficult life was for women then, how things have changed (or not!) and about some of the pressures facing young women today.

In the evening a showing of the F Word provoked some lively discussion. We asked the women what they would campaign for now and the new campaign “demands” included “Freedom for young girls – they don’t have to wear pink or play with Barbies”and “Freedom from stereotypes”. This was a great workshop and would have gone on much longer if the building hadn’t closed!

Launching our zines and satellite collections in Dumfries, with Anne Rinaldi from Dumfries and Galloway libraries

During March I delivered a collection to Inverness Women’s Aid and to the Ewart library in Dumfries. We have also gathered a collection of graphic novels and zines by women writers and illustrators. This collection is going to be travelling around libraries in Dumfries and Galloway over the next few months before returning to GWL. It includes work by Claire Bretecher, Posy Simmonds, Marjane Satrapi and many more. It’s great to see the collection out and about all over Scotland. We’re looking forward to installing more satellite collections in new locations and bringing the library to more women in Scotland.

Cutting the 100th anniversary cake

As part of our activities around International Women’s Day, Nisha and I were invited to Dunoon to deliver the F Word workshop at an event for the Engender Women into Public Life project in Argyle and Bute.

Women into Public Life aims to support women in the Argyle and Bute area in having their voices heard and engaging in politics locally and nationally. An event was held where local people could come along, participate in workshops and find out more about the project and about Glasgow Women’s Library. There was also a delicious celebration cake to mark the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.

We asked people to describe what feminism meant to them and showed them the F Word DVD, where a group of young women explore feminism, it’s history and what it means for them today.

The F Word workshop

We had lots of interesting reactions and comments, including “Promote feminism awareness for men!” and praise for the F Word film, the event organisation and the food! Thanks to Lorna Alquist for inviting us out and thanks to all the participants who made their way through the spring blizzards to come along…

My Body And Me
Women’s Personal Development & Motivational Confidence Workshop
Skills for Work, Rest & Play
Take-away Tools & Techniques and NLP Skills

This course is to enable and support professional impact, personal growth and well being.

Boost Confidence – Personal Impact – Communication Skills – Speaking Out – Motivation – Self Esteem – Body Image

Testimonials
“It was absolutely wonderful…gave me lots of ideas.”
“Very enjoyable – Challenging and motivating – Everyone took something away that will be useful in future life events.”
“I’ve gone away with a lot of good techniques and definitely got things to help with my positivity and self esteem.”
“A fabulous day – learned several things that are really going to help me – especially with pitching and public speaking.”
“Brilliant session. Discovered many new things about myself… how to improve self confidence and wellbeing.”

Trainers: Terry Neason – Communication, Confidence & Personal Impact / NLP Master / Motivational Entertainer; Marie Robinson – Body Design / Personal Fitness / Hypnotherapist / NLP Master
Date: March 12, Glasgow
Venue: The Training Suite, 34 West George Street, Glasgow, G2 1DA (next to Queen St. rail station)
Time: Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Registration: 10:30am

Price: £95 early bird (usually £145)
Enquiries: 07984 306661
Online Booking: www.mybodyandme.co.uk

Patchwork Blankets and Woolly Dolls

Within the first half hour, several women had stopped by the church hall to lend a helping hand: moving chairs, buttering scones, providing family treasures for display, and encouraging other women to join in. I was struck by everyone’s generosity; how much time they were willing to give, how keen they were for our workshop to be a success. The day only continued to get better.

We listened to the funny and quite extraordinary reminiscences of Lesley Robinson, a farmer’s wife and mother of 10, whose children were out milking cows as soon as they could walk. We saw beautiful homespun quilts and heard the remarkable stories of their creation; we were moved by the intimacy and flowing devotion expressed in letters between young lovers during the Second World War; we looked at many intriguing old photographs and heard the histories and memories of many wonderful women from around Wigtown. A giggly gaggle of young girls attended the workshop in the afternoon, entertaining us with their cartoons, poems, and descriptions of their best friends and favourite grown-ups. By the end of the day, I was full to the brim with coffee, Reading Lasses’s delicious cakes, and everyone’s affecting stories.

Pinpointing Heroines on the Map of Scotland

As we packed up and reflected on our short trip, Morag and I discussed the benefits of living in the countryside as opposed to the city: the fresh air, the starry skies, the overwhelming sense of community spirit, the silence and the space needed to think and work… And driving back home to polluted, rambunctious Glasgow, a golden eagle soared magnificently above us – thanks Wigtown, but we really didn’t need another sign!

Thank you to Renita, Nanette, Gerrie and Bex from Reading Lasses, Ailsa, Wigtown Baptist Church, and everyone who came along and made it such a fantastic day.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

The women get creative in the Arts & Crafts workshops making hand made cards and their very own life book using scrap booking techniques.  Women brought along their photographs and other information to include in their life book.  We have enjoyed listening to one anothers stories of childhood, growing up, families, special memories, hobbies & interest, achievements and future aspirations.  

Mrs Farah has made her very first hand-made greetings card!

Mrs Nasreen Shami is pleased with the first page of her life book which was all about her name.

VISIT TO THE ST. MUNGO MUSEUM OF RELIGIOUS LIFE AND ART AND PROVANDS LORDSHIP

We set off to St Mungo Museum to learn about the main religions followed by people of Glasgow.

It was great to be taken round by the wonderful learning officer Kirsty Hood who made the objects come to life! 

Kirsty tells the story of the Hindu God Shiva.

Nadia takes a closer look at the beautiful painting of the 99 names of Allah created by the famous artist Abu Mustapha

Nurah has a go at handling objects belonging to different faiths.

While we were there, we went across the road to visit the Provand’s Lordship.

Mrs Shamim is fascinated by the old style kitchen and makes connections with kitchen utensils she used whilst growing up in her village in Pakistan.

VISIT TO THE KELVINGROVE ARTS GALLERY AND ‘BEING CREATIVE’

Although Kelvingrove Art Gallery seems an obvious landmark for places to visit in Glasgow, many local women had never visited the grand palace which houses over 8000 objects including art pieces and paintings. 

Mrs farah is re-united with her all time favourite rock star Elvis!

The women also took part in the ‘Be Creative’ workshop to explore methods of creative writing! 

FILM SCREENING

We watched a Bollywood film called Black, a thought provoking film about a young Indian girl who is deaf and blind.  The film was in Hindi and English with English Subtitles. 

” I am so glad I came along to watch this film.  I have never watched a bollywood film, both actors played their roles very well.  I felt so emotional and moved at the efforts of the young girl and her teacher.  Thank you for inviting me!”                  May Cummings

VISIT TO THE GARNETHILL SYNAGOGUE

It was extremely exciting visiting the very first purpose built Synagogue in Scotland which is located on Hill Street in the Garnethill area of Glasgow.  In fact it is still one of the finest 19th century Synagogues in Europe, and the “mother synagogue” of Glasgow.

Women learn about the different functions of the Synagogue.

The Synagogue also houses the fabulous Jewish archive.  It was a pleasure to learn about the Jewish history in Scotland which dates back to the 16^th Century.

Mrs Parveen explores the Jewish archives.

And it doesn’t end there…… I cant wait to visit the Gurdwara in Pollokshields on Wednesday 28th July, 10.30am to 1pm; film screening of Slum dog Millionaire at the Glasgow Women’s Library on Thursday 29th July, 1.30pm to 3.30pm; and the woodlands trip to Barons Haugh Nature Reserve in Motherwell on Thursday 5th August 10am to 4pm! 

If you fancy coming along then please book a place by calling Syma or Pauline on 0141 552 8345.

The first is Women’s Self Defence Classes being held at Urban Oasis in Ruthven Lane on 22 or 29 April from 6pm to 8pm (both dates). If you are interested in finding out more then click on this link: Self Defence for Women Workshops. While you’re on there check out the other events they have going on – there is a wide variety so you might find something that tickles your fancy!

Or if you fancy getting out and about now that Spring has sprung…well, the clocks have changed and there is more sun – even if it is still freezing most days…then why not try one of the Necropolis Tours and learn a little about Glasgow’s History. If you are interested then click this link to go to their website and book on: Friends of the Necropolis

Happy Spring time to everyone and bring on the Summer