[Anarchafeminists] Fw: Radical Women's Summer Gathering -- Meeting THIS Wednesday 25th

[Gail Chester]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: rwta at aktivix.org 
To: undisclosed-recipients: 
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2012 3:33 AM
Subject: Radical Women's Summer Gathering -- Meeting THIS Wednesday 25th




Dear sisters,

Trying to get this project going has suffered from a few over-committed women trying to take on even more stuff, and this has not been workable.

But the GOOD NEWS is that Radical Women don't give up easily!

We are going to make one more effort to get the RWTA camp off the ground for this summer, because we believe this is an event worth fighting for, and we hope you will too, especially once you have read the statement on the purpose of the summer gathering, pasted in below, with the notes from our meeting of 4th December.

We are having a meeting this Wednesday, 25th January at 6 p.m. at the Feminist Library, 5 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7XW, www.feministlibrary.co.uk for a map and directions.

We have also been given a space at the Go Feminist conference on Saturday 4th February at Conway Hall (Red Lion Square, London WC1, http://www.gofeminist.org.uk/ ), where we hope additional women will come forward to help organise. By the end of these two events, we will decide if we have enough enthusiasm to move forward.

Several women have expressed interest in the project even in the last few days, and special greetings to Claire in Oxford, who has hung in there throughout. So, if you want this event to happen, and you cannot get to either of these meetings, you MUST write to us before 4th February, to let us know your interest.

In love and struggle

--------------------------------------------

Notes from meeting sun 4 Dec @ Feminist Library

Summer gathering

Present: Gail, Becky, Jane

We agreed:

  a.. the gathering should be for self-defining women only 
  b.. boy children up to the age of 10 welcome 
  c.. Horton is first choice of venue, Jane to check availability and their policies on transfolk & boys 
  d.. Alternative venue suggested by Becky ? camping barn nr Ilkley 
Discussed having it during school holidays, or either side, but didn?t make decision. 

Gail brought notes on initial concept, summarised below together with ideas from meeting. 

Gail to circulate initial ideas to circles of known women to gauge interest.

Next meeting Weds 25th Jan, 6pm @ Feminist Lib, bring food to share

Proposal to have Feb meeting at Horton to assess suitability ? TBC

==========================================

Purpose of the RWTA Summer gathering

The con/dem cuts continue to attack the most disadvantaged, particularly women, and many are already bearing the brunt of increasingly difficult living conditions. In the face of this, political activism and community organising is on the rise and has radical potential.

We offer a 2/3 day gathering for radical women to come together, share consciousness, skills and tactics. Join together with grassroots activists, anti-racist, feminist and anarchist women to reflect and build for the coming times. A hands-on, diy event with a range of sessions/workshops on a range of topics, you are invited to learn something, explore ideas in more depth, and share your skills.

For activists working in mixed groups the gathering offers the opportunity to meet other women in a similar position, explore it, critique current practices, identify our fears and strengths, and develop tactics to retain that strength when returning to those groups. 

For women interested in radical politics, but discouraged by the continuing male-dominance of much activism, this is a chance to take the first steps in a safer, encouraging environment, and build networks for ongoing mutual support. 

Ideas for sessions so far include: feminist health & anatomy, working across socially constructed divisions, impacts of and resistance to the cuts, sex positive education, Fukishima and British nuclear energy expansion, community building skills, feminisms, history and heritage skills, gender politics, parenting & feminism, squatting skills, bicycle maintenance and consensus decision making. What else could you bring?

The gathering will also include radical women-focussed, anti-racist, feminist film and music.

A rural venue is planned, with both indoor sleeping and camping spaces. A crèche will be provided, with spaces booked in advance. Costs will be kept as low as possible. 

The gathering is open to self-defining women, girl children, and boy children up to the age of 10. 

If you have skills that could support this gathering, please get in touch. rwta at aktivix.org

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