Tag: women

March is Medway Women’s History Month and I’ve organised some stuff. You’re welcome :)

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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.

Find out more here.

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.

Find out more here.

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.

Find out more here.

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.

Find out more here.

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.

Find out more here.

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*There’s even a rumour I might make my comedy debut, but don’t hold me to it *eek*

7 Reasons Women Feel Guilty But Shouldn’t

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We beat ourselves up, us ladies, especially those in the transition phase between the olden days (know your place, accept inequality, do your duty to your husband) and these days where having a man is not the be all and end all of our lives and we are completely in charge of our own destiny.

So here are some common reasons women feel guilty – and why we shouldn’t.

Housework: If, like many women, you’re juggling being a wife, mother and worker, the housework could well be your main source of guilt. In which case, identify the tasks that need to be done most, i.e. those that will soon pile up and cause more guilt (you’ve no clean knickers; school shirts aren’t ironed) as opposed to those the family likely won’t even notice (i.e. dusting). And draw up a chore rota – the rest of the family can get involved and do their bit too – it’s not just your job these days.

Taking sick days : If you’re genuinely ill, you’re doing neither yourself nor your employer any favours by struggling in. If you’re not performing at 100%, and if you’re in a sales job, for example, wouldn’t it be better for a colleague at full strength to close that sale than you struggle your way through it, potentially losing the client?

Motherhood: Damned if we do, damned if we don’t, right? Every woman has to find their own way when it comes to parenting. Sure, they give you parenting books but reality doesn’t come neatly packaged. While there are some obvious do’s and don’ts, every child will respond differently. Read the advice, listen to other mums, check things out with health professionals then do what works best for you and your child – and don’t believe everything the playground mafia tell you about their perfect lives and children.

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Breastfeeding: The mothers who breastfeed and do so where and when required are very vocal (quite rightly), along with midwives and other health professionals about the benefits of breastfeeding. But if you don’t want to breastfeed in public, then don’t. And if you don’t want to breastfeed at all, then that’s fine too.

Feminism: Let’s get this clear right from the off – being a feminist does not mean you hate men. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s recognising that for all members of a society to feel valued, they should have an equal say in how their society runs, and not be subject to discrimination.

Caring: You have a job, children, a husband and elderly parents and you’re feeling split between them all because there aren’t enough hours in the day. Hang on, haven’t you forgotten someone? Oh, yes – YOU! Think for a moment how any of them would cope if anything happened to you? So don’t feel guilty for that little bit of me time you take: you need to recharge your batteries and if that means reading a book in the bath in the company of an overflowing laundry basket, so be it.

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Body image. Thankfully, the messages these days is about being healthy, as opposed to being thin, curvy, hipless or with cheekbones to die for. Being obese is not healthy, neither is being stick thin. Wean yourself away from the unhealthy images – if you want a glossy magazine to read, with practical lifestyle features and interesting content about interesting people, pick up the Radio Times – where said featured people come in all shapes, sizes and ages.

Take control of your life and don’t apologise for doing so – it’s as valuable as everyone else’s.