Women's History Month

1

March is a month where we encourage you to study, observe and celebrate the vital role of women in history and our contemporary society. It is also a reminder of the discriminiation and violence women had to endure over many years, and many are still fighting for equal rights, which isn’t just a matter of a day or a month.

This pamphlet is to champion and highlight all the contributions women have made around the globe, past, present and future as well as to educate about how the rest of the world uses this month to recognise and appreciate this. It is so important to have visibility of the work and voices which have nurtured, pushed and fought for change.

Louise and Kamila

2

International Women’s Day Around the World Celebrated on the 8th March, people celebrate the cultural, political, social and economic achievements of women. Over many years, countries around the world have come up with their own traditions and ways to celebrate this day and here are just some of them…

Poland In Poland the holiday was very popular in the time of Polish People’s Republic (PRL). In the 70s flowers became one of the most fashionable gifts of all for this particular feast.

At first corsages for women were made of carnations and that also from tulips.

Nowadays, flowers and chocolates are still most popular gifts. Apart from that every year there are manifestations organized by Polish feminist movement. During those there are demonstrations and happenings for equal treatment women. in recent years, International Women’s Day has witnessed women taking to the streets of Poland to protest especially against Poland’s strict abortion laws.

3

China In China, International Women’s Day is an official holiday. Women are granted a half-day off work in order to celebrate their hard work, to relax and treat themselves to a dinner or a spa treatment if they can.

Unfortunately, many employers fail to allow this.

As ‘woman’ in China is more representative of someone that is married, they have adapted 7th March as Girl’s day, where many universities in the country hold competitions and activities for girls attending.

Italy La Festa Della Donna is celebrated throughout Italy by the giving of mimosa blossoms, a tradition believed to have originated in Rome after World War II. The flower holds the same symbolic gesture of love as a red rose on Valentine’s Day. There’s also a dessert dedicated to celebrating Women’s Day. It’s called the Mimosa Cake, or Torta Mimosa.

The smell of mimosas fills the air and reminds to everyone not only the meaning of this day, but also that spring is nearby. Today, it has evolved and now women also give mimosa blossoms to each other.

Nepal International Women’s Day in Nepal is marked as an official holiday, so women actually get the day off work. Sadly, the nation of Nepal has huge problems in regard to fair treatment of women that still need to be addressed and changed.

All across the land, on 8th March, Nepalese women take the opportunity to collaborate with sister UN agencies, civil society, faith-based organizations, women’s groups, and more to protest at various rallies and special women’s events.

It is a time to press the government for change and to make their voices heard.

4

5

A Woman Speaks Moon marked and touched by sun my magic is unwritten but when the sea turns back it will leave my shape behind.

I seek no favor untouched by blood unrelenting as the curse of love permanent as my errors or my pride I do not mix love with pity nor hate with scorn and if you would know me look into the entrails of Uranus where the restless oceans pound.

I do not dwell within my birth nor my divinities who am ageless and half-grown and still seeking my sisters witches in Dahomey wear me inside their coiled cloths as our mother did mourning.

I have been woman for a long time beware my smile I am treacherous with old magic and the noon’s new fury with all your wide futures promised I am woman and not white.

By Audre Lorde

6

History of International Women’s Day International Women’s Day is more than just an apolitical celebration of women. From protesting for reproductive rights in Argentina, to marching for equal pay in Spain, some modern observers of IWD are sticking more closely to the revolutionary origin of the celebration than they perhaps know.

Where it all started The first Women’s Days were born out of protest and shared a distinct political flavour. It was the turn of the 20th century, and socialist groups, from Russia, to Germany, to the US, were organising, ready to fight.

At this time in history, World War I was on the horizon, and universal Women’s Suffrage (votes for women) was a few years away.

Working conditions and pay were poor for everyone, but particularly women, and even more so for immigrant women.

A massive strike organised by immigrant garment workers in New York in 1857 has been cited as the basis for the first National Women’s Day. This was first celebrated in 1909, and organised by the Socialist Party of America. Across the pond a few years later at the International Socialist Women’s Conference of 1910, the delegation voted to arrange an international day for women, to be celebrated concurrently in all countries.

7

The annual observances of this day were often marked by marches, protests and campaigns. Women fought for the right to vote, to hold political office, to receive equal pay.

As this work was very much born out of the wider labour movement, it was not uncommon for anti-capitalist issues that one may not immediately associate with women’s rights to be part of the campaigns, something which really came to light in Russia in 1917.

Revolution With IWD having been established as a holiday within socialist groups, the IWD of 1917 was one of the most important, as it was one of the sparks that eventually lit the fire of the Russian Revolution.

On that day in 1917, Russian women workers organised a massive wave of strikes, and protested in the country’s capital. This protest was not just about working women’s rights, it was also explicitly anti-war, as well as a rallying cry to end the autocratic rule of the monarch at the time.

The protests, which ended up nearly 200,000 strong, resulted in the Tsar abdicating, and the provisional government granting women the right to vote. This day was on March 8th in the Gregorian Calendar, which has since become the modern day we observe IWD.

Modern Celebrations IWD was officially designated as a celebration by the UN in 1975, and many countries observe the tradition in a myriad of ways. In some places women receive a day off work; gifts of flowers from their partners and male family members; in some countries it is almost treated as a counterpart to Valentine’s day or Mother’s day.

While much political action is still centred around the day, IWD shifting towards a “feel good”, commercialised celebration of women, rather than a battle roar for change, can feel alarming. Take some time this IWD to celebrate the revolutionary women who began this tradition; think about the ways you can honour their work and their memory, and keep the radical spirit in which the day was started alive.

8

Is Sustainability a Gender Issue?

Surely the environment doesn’t discriminate... All genders are as negatively impacted by climate change as each other; men, women, non-binary people – we’re all responsible for looking after our planet. Well, actually, the harder you look, the more ways sustainability and global gender inequality interlink.

While you might first consider the environmental impact of products that are more typically linked to women (menstrual products, cosmetics, maybe even clothing), in actuality, it’s women that bear the brunt of climate change. It’s women who are leading the fight against climate disaster. And it’s women who are expected to fulfil this role.

The “Eco Gender Gap” It’s real. In 2018, market research firm Mintel found that that 71% of women try to live more ethically, compared to 59% of men. They’re also more likely to try to encourage friends and family to be more ethical. Additionally, Mintel found that women were more conscious when it comes to food waste, energy, water and regular recycling too.

While it isn’t a huge gap, it’s still a gap that is then strengthened by advertising and media, reaffirming the role of women as responsible carers, and targeting sustainable products to women as consumers.

Further to this, women still take on the majority of domestic tasks for their household. Leading in the household’s shopping and cleaning, they make the choices when it comes to conscious brands or environmentally friendly household projects. They set the heat settings on the washing machine, choose the evening’s dinner ingredients, and buy the family’s clothing. This means that they are more likely to be making daily decisions that impact not only their carbon footprint, but their family’s too.

Not only are women making sustainable changes in their private and domestic lives, they are also most vocal in the media too. Perhaps most notable is Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, who became a household name when she was still in school. Her passionate, direct speeches and unyielding activism helped launch a global youth movement and engage world leaders in climate conversations. US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is leading politics through bold new environmental policies and speaking out against injustices relating to the climate emergency. The prime minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, is dedicated to making

9

climate change through commitments to the Paris Agreement.

Even community activist groups like Anti-fracking Nanas and Mums for Lungs are largely women-led.

All in all, women should be recognised for their work, on all scales, private and public, but only through the deconstruction of gender norms will the workload be shared equally. Men need to step up, especially when they dominate positions of power in politics, corporations, and finance.

The Impact of Climate Change on Women Not only are women leading the climate movement, but they’re also the ones that disproportionately feel the negative impacts.

The natural outcomes of climate change, such as heat waves, storms, droughts, and rising sea levels, hit women hardest. This is because women are more likely to live in poverty and have less rights than men. The Paris climate agreement recognises this and includes specific support for women impacted by the instability and disaster caused by climate change. Women represent around 43% of the global agricultural workforce but are often denied the stability that comes with economic independence. They have no property rights, cannot borrow money or equipment, are unable to claim compensation, and often cannot access markets to sell their harvest.

When climate disaster strikes, it’s these women that cannot easily move to access new land or afford replacement equipment. They must also work harder, travelling further for resources after droughts or fires. Sacrifices to other areas of life are made to compensate, such as education. Refugee girls are half as likely to be in school as refugee boys. Further to this, women are targets for systematic violence that increases during unstable and challenging periods. Women and girls also face higher rates of child marriage, domestic violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking due to climate change.

When we think of our planet suffering due to our behaviour choices as people, we might not think to extend this concern to its citizens, but climate action is social action. Sustainable choices are ethical choices too. Though this responsibility should fall to all genders, regardless of stereotype, gender norms or who will be most affected by climate change.

12

Eco Bodycare Recipes Take some time to yourself to help recharge. You can’t be productive without selfcare! Here are a couple of easy, conscious body-care recipes for you to try.

Not only will you learn something new (and environmentally friendly), but you’ll also get some time away from the screen and an opportunity to really thank yourself for everything you do.

You deserve it!

For more selfcare tips and activities, follow @aubsu_matter on Instagram.

13

Coconut Free Body Butter

Sugar and Olive Face Scrub

This body butter is amazing for sensitive/oily/acne prone skin as coconut oil might not be the best for you!

This is a great face scrub to brighten and moisturise the skin, great for all skin types and lasts for up to 2 months!

Ingredients:

Ingredients:

• 8 tbsp shea butter • 2tbsp avocado, apricot, jojoba or almond oil (super nourishing oils) • 15 drops of lavender essential oil (calming and soothing) • 10 drops of rosemary essential oil (soothing and calming)

• 1 fresh lemon (antibacterial, cleansing and uplifting) • Refined sugar (exfoliating) • Brown sugar (exfoliating) • Olive oil (moisturising)

Method: 1) Melt the shea butter in a saucepan on low heat 2) Add 2 tbsp nourishing oil and mix 3) Chill in freezer for 15-20 mins (until solid but not TOO hard)

Method: 1) Juice the lemon 2) Mix all the ingredients well in a bowl 3) Choose quantities to your preference (I.e. more sugar, more scrub!)

4) Use scrub 2 to 3 times a week

4) Add essential oils and whisk until soft and buttery 5) Store at room temperature... and feel super soft!

14

Women and Intersectionality To truly understand the power and history of women, and the role they have played in women’s liberation, we must look further than the plinth on which society places white feminism. Not only this, but it is necessary to understand what that plinth is constructed from; the labour (often unpaid) of Black women, disabled women, transgender women, lesbian women, and all other women who are often deemed “less than” the ideals of white supremacist society.

To understand the power and history of women, it is necessary to understand intersectionality.

Intersectionality is a term that was coined by Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw; a lawyer, activist, academic and author working on gender and race theory.

Intersectionality draws connection between the different aspects within one person’s life and the discrimination - such as racism, sexism, classism, transphobia - they face due to those combined aspects.

Women at the intersections of various identities have been key to women’s rights improvements throughout history, including the present day.

Ella Baker – 1903 to 1986 Ella Baker’s work spans five decades; she was a key figure in three of the most influential civil rights groups, and the guiding hand behind the SCLC and the rise of Martin Luther King Jr as an influential figure in the civil rights movement. Her talents lead to significant fundraising and recruitment of new members to the movement, and she continued on her work later on in life, including advising the Third World Women’s Coordinating Committee.

Sylvia Rivera – 1951 to 2002 A key pioneer in the civil rights movement and Stonewall uprising, amongst her long history of activism, Sylvia Rivera fought against the exclusion of transgender people from the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act in New York and was a key advocate for the rights of People of Colour and low-income transgender community.

Munroe Bergdorf – 1987 to present An advocate for the rights of transgender people, Munroe Bergdorf has become a key voice in anti-racist and anti-transphobic movements. Her commitment to activism in these spaces has included publicly holding L’Oréal accountable for their hypocrisy surrounding anti-racist statements,

15

advocating with UN Women UK in their campaign against FGM, and speaking on panels worldwide about race and gender.

Keri Gray – 1991 to present Keri Gray’s work around intersectionality focuses on the radical nature of loving her identity as a Black, disabled woman, and promoting the need for more people with marginalised identities to be in spaces they are typically excluded from, particularly in the workplace. She is the founder of the Keri Gray group, and of the National Alliance of Multicultural Disabled Advocates. Keri has recruited approximately 4,000 young professionals for over 100 Fortune 500 companies and organizations.

“I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”

– Audre Lorde If Women’s History Month doesn’t reflect the work and history of all women, then a huge part of the story and understanding is lost.

So, what can you do to make sure that your feminism and advocacy is intersectional?

- Speaking up when you see discrimination happening, don’t just be a bystander - Listening to people from marginalised groups about what their needs are - Acknowledging mistakes and welcoming feedback, adapting your behaviours to actively advocate for anti-oppression - Donating to organisations that seek to dismantle intersectional discrimination, this could be through time or other resources - Communicating with your local MP to ensure they keep these issues at the forefront of their work

16

Resources

Creative Women

- AUBSU - Eco Body Care Recipes

- Bolanle Tajudeen - Curator and educator, founder of Black Blossoms Platform and Art School

- AUBSU - Women’s History Month - Domestic House Gender Norms - Feminista Jones - Reclaiming Our Space - How Climate Change Affects Women - June Eric - Udorie - Can We All Be Feminists?

- Keri Gray - Intersectionality and Disability - Kimberle Crenshaw – TED Talk - Kimberle Crenshaw - What is Intersectionality?

- Mintel - Eco Gender Gap Research - The Eco Gender Gap: Why is saving the planet seen as women’s work?

17

- Platform Black - Online Platform that champions work of black creatives ran by Alicia-Pearl Cato and Tobi Alexandra Falade - London Drawing Group - All Female teaching collective run by Luisa-Maria MacCormack, Lucy Mcgeown and Frances Stanfield - Joanna Payne - Founder of Marguerite London which is a network for women and non-binary creatives - Lisa Anderson - Founder of Black British Art Platform

18