Hours were spent packing party bags, printing hundreds of flyers, lists were made, tears were shed, and we had a very heavy suitcase to carry up Tyler Hill to reach the plaza outside the School of Arts--but it was all worth it!
FemSoc has been preparing for the Fayre practically since we were ratified as a society. It’s such a huge event, and the best time to gather mass support and interest in your society, and we couldn’t have done any better. We had plenty of items laid out to catch people’s attention--books for the reading group (including ‘Persepolis’ by Marjane Satrapi, which the Feminist Reading group will be discussing in Bramley’s, 6pm on 5th October, and ‘Reclaiming the F-word’, whose author, Catherine Redfern will be coming to give a talk for our society on 18th October), DVDs we plan to watch, badges for sale, booklets and leaflets from the Women’s Resource Centre, the Fawcett Society and the London Feminist Network, and even Shania Twain playing on our speakers.
We were ridiculously busy. Our Feminist themed party bags went down very well and we ran out almost within an hour. We also ran out of official flyers, and ended having to write our facebook group on the back of postcards to hand out instead! We gained 290 email addresses for our mailing list and talked to so many enthusiastic people.
I think it was a really positive feeling for everyone who was involved with running the stall. To be honest, we did expect a bit of negativity, but I’m glad to say that we were completely wrong. Aside from the odd one or two dickheads, most of the people we spoke to were eager to hear more, and excited about what we had planned--my personal favourite response was:
-Who are you guys?
-We’re the Feminist Society!
-Ooh! Say no more! *signs up immediately*.
Although I also have to mention the most hypocritical quote of the day; from a representative of Kent Uni Conservative Association, calling us outdated. Yes, that’s right, someone who actively campaigns for the Conservative Party (key word is in the title) and wears tweed called Feminism outdated… hmm.
As for now, I’m so excited about our first meeting, which is tonight. I’m looking forward to seeing who turns up, what they have to say, and where they want us to go next. We already have so much planned for the year ahead; Catherine Redfern’s talk on equality today, Feminism in London, Femstock in the Attic, Reclaim the Night, Million Woman Rise… I can’t wait to inject some real Feminist energy into the University of Kent!
--Louise
Monday, 27 September 2010
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
Zoë Scandrett--An interview with your Womens' Officer
Here is a short interview (via email) with the elected Womens' Officer for 2010/11 at Kent University, Zoë Scandrett. Zoë is a third year Philosophy student who has been active in Union politics since her first year, sitting on Union Council, working with SocFedCom, and being General Secretary of Kent Student Socialists Society last year. She is a vegetarian, socialist and a feminist, and also (according to facebook) plans to attend 'National Cheesecake Day'.
1. Are you a Feminist? Why?
Of course I’m a Feminist! I’m a Feminist because I believe in the equality of women and I think there’s still such a lot of fighting that needs doing before we can say that we are truly equal in all aspects.
2. What made you decide to run for the position Women’s Officer?
Last year, the Women’s Campaign didn’t really do anything, and I felt that it was an opportunity wasted; so I thought I’d have a go at doing a better job!
3. What do you feel is the importance of the Women’s Campaign?
I think the campaign has the power to really energise and empower women at the university to enact change that affects them and other students. I think that University is a great place to become political, and it’s one of the best places in life to meet like-minded people and get together to do something that makes a difference. The Women’s Campaign is a wonderful outlet for that – we’ll be doing things that will hopefully make a real difference to students and running campaigns on what the women at Kent feel are important to them.
4. What do you believe you can achieve this year to improve the lives of women at the University of Kent?
We’ll be running a campaign in co-operation with the Vice-President for Education to ensure that anonymous marking is rolled out across all departments at the university – which puts an end to favouritism and will prevent lecturers reflecting their prejudices in the marks they award for academic achievement.
Fortunately the campaign is very flexible and is member-led, so we’ll be able to work on what women tell me that they want – I’ll be hosting Women’s Forum every three weeks to discuss what women want from the campaign, and to respond to issues as they arise.
5. Do you see yourself having many major difficulties in achieving these aims?
I’ve sat on Union Council (one of the main decision making bodies within the student union) for over a year now, and I know how difficult it can be to get some things passed – there is unfortunately a lot of prejudice and misunderstanding among a lot of people on liberation issues; and I see persuading people to the cause as one of my biggest obstacles this year, but we’ve also got a lot of sympathetic and supportive officers who will be behind the campaign all the way, I’m sure.
6. What do you believe makes a successful campaign?
I think an effective campaign needs to respond to the needs of the people it’s fighting for. As long as women feel that they can come to me as their Women’s Officer with issues and I can help them to work through these issues and enact change where we think it’s needed, I’ll feel like I’ve led a successful campaign.
7. Have you ever personally felt discriminated against or taken advantage of due to your gender? What was your reaction?
Personally, I’ve never experienced anything major, but recently I was visiting a friend in Bristol and on the bus we heard a woman answer her phone. She’d clearly just broken up with her boyfriend who’d punched her and bitten her wrist. From the sounds of the conversation he was begging her to come back and she was telling him where to shove it. Everyone on the bus was listening to her conversation but no-one said anything, so when she hung up I quietly leaned over and asked if she was okay and begged her to go to the police and tell them about her ex-boyfriend’s abuse. She said she would, and I’m not sure if she actually did, but I hope so.
8. What do you believe are the greatest achievements/advances of the Women’s movement so far?
That’s a hard question, there’s such a lot! I’m not sure that I can pin it down to any one achievement or event, but the gradual social change in the developed world, in that women are now able to have careers and families, and (although there are of course plenty of obstacles which still need fighting against) aren’t judged (by most) for choosing to do so, I think is incredible progress, considering how (relatively) quickly these changes have come about.
9. Which women or woman particularly inspires you?
Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green Party and MP for Brighton Pavillion. Not only do I admire her politics, but I really look up to her for her ability to make people listen to her, she commands respect without being ‘scary’ or dominating, and she works so hard to enact real change for people.
10. We hear so much about the negatives of Feminism—what do you feel are the positives? What about Feminism makes you happy, or has benefitted your life?
Feminism makes me happy because it’s about people uniting to fight for change which affects everyone, and will make things better for everyone. Feminism doesn’t just make the world better for women, which I think is one of the main misunderstandings – everyone benefits from an equal world – and men can benefit from women being equal, too.
I love the feeling of being radicalised – getting involved in fighting for something which you feel passionate about – debating issues, persuading people to your cause, and supporting others to do the same - Feminism gives me a reason to get up and DO SOMETHING. =)
If you would like to know more about the Womens' Campaign, get involved, or just be on the mailing list, email: Womens@kent.ac.uk
(interviewed by) Louise.
1. Are you a Feminist? Why?
Of course I’m a Feminist! I’m a Feminist because I believe in the equality of women and I think there’s still such a lot of fighting that needs doing before we can say that we are truly equal in all aspects.
2. What made you decide to run for the position Women’s Officer?
Last year, the Women’s Campaign didn’t really do anything, and I felt that it was an opportunity wasted; so I thought I’d have a go at doing a better job!
3. What do you feel is the importance of the Women’s Campaign?
I think the campaign has the power to really energise and empower women at the university to enact change that affects them and other students. I think that University is a great place to become political, and it’s one of the best places in life to meet like-minded people and get together to do something that makes a difference. The Women’s Campaign is a wonderful outlet for that – we’ll be doing things that will hopefully make a real difference to students and running campaigns on what the women at Kent feel are important to them.
4. What do you believe you can achieve this year to improve the lives of women at the University of Kent?
We’ll be running a campaign in co-operation with the Vice-President for Education to ensure that anonymous marking is rolled out across all departments at the university – which puts an end to favouritism and will prevent lecturers reflecting their prejudices in the marks they award for academic achievement.
Fortunately the campaign is very flexible and is member-led, so we’ll be able to work on what women tell me that they want – I’ll be hosting Women’s Forum every three weeks to discuss what women want from the campaign, and to respond to issues as they arise.
5. Do you see yourself having many major difficulties in achieving these aims?
I’ve sat on Union Council (one of the main decision making bodies within the student union) for over a year now, and I know how difficult it can be to get some things passed – there is unfortunately a lot of prejudice and misunderstanding among a lot of people on liberation issues; and I see persuading people to the cause as one of my biggest obstacles this year, but we’ve also got a lot of sympathetic and supportive officers who will be behind the campaign all the way, I’m sure.
6. What do you believe makes a successful campaign?
I think an effective campaign needs to respond to the needs of the people it’s fighting for. As long as women feel that they can come to me as their Women’s Officer with issues and I can help them to work through these issues and enact change where we think it’s needed, I’ll feel like I’ve led a successful campaign.
7. Have you ever personally felt discriminated against or taken advantage of due to your gender? What was your reaction?
Personally, I’ve never experienced anything major, but recently I was visiting a friend in Bristol and on the bus we heard a woman answer her phone. She’d clearly just broken up with her boyfriend who’d punched her and bitten her wrist. From the sounds of the conversation he was begging her to come back and she was telling him where to shove it. Everyone on the bus was listening to her conversation but no-one said anything, so when she hung up I quietly leaned over and asked if she was okay and begged her to go to the police and tell them about her ex-boyfriend’s abuse. She said she would, and I’m not sure if she actually did, but I hope so.
8. What do you believe are the greatest achievements/advances of the Women’s movement so far?
That’s a hard question, there’s such a lot! I’m not sure that I can pin it down to any one achievement or event, but the gradual social change in the developed world, in that women are now able to have careers and families, and (although there are of course plenty of obstacles which still need fighting against) aren’t judged (by most) for choosing to do so, I think is incredible progress, considering how (relatively) quickly these changes have come about.
9. Which women or woman particularly inspires you?
Caroline Lucas, the leader of the Green Party and MP for Brighton Pavillion. Not only do I admire her politics, but I really look up to her for her ability to make people listen to her, she commands respect without being ‘scary’ or dominating, and she works so hard to enact real change for people.
10. We hear so much about the negatives of Feminism—what do you feel are the positives? What about Feminism makes you happy, or has benefitted your life?
Feminism makes me happy because it’s about people uniting to fight for change which affects everyone, and will make things better for everyone. Feminism doesn’t just make the world better for women, which I think is one of the main misunderstandings – everyone benefits from an equal world – and men can benefit from women being equal, too.
I love the feeling of being radicalised – getting involved in fighting for something which you feel passionate about – debating issues, persuading people to your cause, and supporting others to do the same - Feminism gives me a reason to get up and DO SOMETHING. =)
If you would like to know more about the Womens' Campaign, get involved, or just be on the mailing list, email: Womens@kent.ac.uk
(interviewed by) Louise.
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