Saturdays in March 2025 are going to be busy, so block out your diaries now. Under the guise of the Rochester Literature Festival (resurrected!) I, together with a new steering group for MWHM, am working in partnership Medway Adult Education, Salvation Army, Strood and the Net Community Hub to celebrate Medway Women’s History Month.
Here’s our programme for the month:
March 1st: Launch Event at Rochester Adult Education Centre, Room 11.
A chance to meet the team behind the Medway Women’s History Month and get the low down, a Keynote Speech from former Medway Mayor, Nina Gurung, and empowerment courtesy of Adelle Martin and Fiona Shoults, co-founders of Stronger Together Through Cancer.
We end with a performance from the Brompton and Invicta Military Wives Choir.
March 8th: Challenging Stereotypes, at Rochester Adult Education Centre, Room 11.
10.30am: A ‘Jobs for the Girls’ panel will feature women who work in traditionally male environments in the morning, including boat builder Poppy Lavers, Sapper Izzy Crooks and Rochester Bridge Trust Civil Engineer Helen Rowe, hosted by former detective (and RLF Patron) Lisa Cutts.
1.30pm: ‘A Sporting Chance’ in the afternoon will feature Tracy Bullock, first female chair of Medway Rugby Club and female players from Chatham Town FC, hosted by Steph Brivio OBE, Chair of Medway Netball.
There will be market places in both panels for girls to ask questions.
March 15th: Author Talks at The Salvation Army Hall, Strood
We have two amazing female authors for you to enjoy on Saturday 15th March, at the Salvation Army Hall in Strood, hosted by author and publisher, Julia Williams.
2pm: In Conversation with Victoria Smith
The author of ‘Hags: The demonization of middle-aged women’, and new book, (Un)Kind, this will be a thoughtful and insightful conversation around the issues that affect so many women in their day to day lives.
4pm: In Conversation with SJ Bennett – a Mini Murderous Medway
SJ Bennett is the author of the bestselling mystery series featuring Queen Elizabeth II as a secret sleuth, Her Majesty The Queen Investigates. She has written fifteen novels for children and adults, winning the Romantic Novel of the Year award for Love Song and the Times/Chicken House prize for Threads.
Find out more and book tickets here.
March 22nd at The Net Community Hub, Walderslade
11am: From Suffragettes to the Political Now
Hosted by Jennifer Godfrey, the author of many awesome books about the first women to break through the glass ceiling, in conversation with former Chatham MP, Tracey Crouch and current Gillingham MP, Naushabah Khan.
1pm: Overcoming the Obstacles – Medway’s female community doers
Going into the afternoon, we’re delighted to host three awesome women, who, in spite of their disabilities, make a massive difference to their local communities: Kate Belmonte (Mutual Aid Road Reps) Sue Bulpin (Brainstormz!) and Sam Rapp, the Dyslexic Poet.
March 29th: Finale Day at The Net Community Hub
An eclectic mix to wrap up our celebration.
12 Noon: Creative Medway Women – Dr. Carol Stewart, Chair of Creative Medway, talks to Lynne Parker, founder of Funny Women CIC, and Sue Davis, a freelance web content trainer.
At 2pm, the Medway Women’s History Month team, led by Georgia Read-Cutting will host an interactive session to celebrate incredible women that no-one has heard of.
4pm – it’s the finale of the finale!
With music from talented Medway songstress, Didi Bergman, poetry from the lovely Tender Eye, among others, with comedy* and much more.
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*There’s even a rumour I might make my comedy debut, but don’t hold me to it *eek*
Jaye Nolan 