Women by Jon-Paul Daly

MARCH 2008 2008 EDITION

INTERNATIONALWOMENSMONTH.COM

EVENTS LISTINGS Don’t miss

funny women

out!

Heart& Soul

YES, WE CAN TELL JOKES!

Join the Million

WOMEN MARCH

ANNIE LENNOX INTERVIEW

Living with HIV

EVERY CHILD MATTERS

MARRIAGE NUMBER 3, BABY NUMBER 4, HIV+ & BLISSFULLY HAPPY

FIND OUT ABOUT FOSTERING & ADOPTION

RISING UP THE RANKS

A CAREER IN THE UNIFORMED SERVICES

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX! WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN ENGINEERING & IT

BRAD PITT IN BED

ANNIE LEIBOWITZ GETS UP-CLOSE & PERSONAL

WOW!

WHY WE ALL LOVE KYLIE...

*INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH EDITION

WOMAN THE

WHO LIVES

LIFE.

Most companies will give you a good reason or two to join them. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll give you six: Our scale, scope and prestige; our reputation as a business innovator; the quality of training and development; the chance to make a personal impact; the exceptional quality of our work; the spirit of cooperation and teamwork. Still need convincing? Visit jpmorgan.com/careers to learn more about our exciting job opportunities.

WELCOME TO

ONE hundred YEARS OF

O Nuturing and guiding: Lynne Franks

n 8th March 1908, 15,000 female garment workers took to the streets of New York to claim their right for better working conditions and equal pay. In the hundred years since then women have got the vote in most countries of the world and improved their life and work conditions considerably. However, we are still working towards equal pay and even in the developed world and in the developing countries, women still have little equality either in the workplace, the home or in their communities. On this International Women’s Day on Saturday 8th March, women all over the world will be celebrating the changes that have taken place to improve women’s lives whilst taking the opportunity of drawing attention to the still present major problems regarding sex discrimination, domestic violence and women’s rights. I have been working with women all over the world for the last twenty years, guiding and nurturing them through my SEED Women’s Network, so they can feel safe to create a professional as well as personal life that reflects their feminine values, instead of trying to live life as a surrogate man. I have seen women from all backgrounds come to my

workshops and literally transform before my eyes when they are able to share their inner feelings and take off the masks that they feel society requires. When women are true to themselves they have a different perspective of success than men, with enphasis on inclusion, co-operation and community. At SEED we have incorporated these feminine values into our business start-up programmes, SEED coaching training, community circles and transformational guidance and support work which we deliver to women from a wide range of situations, including women offenders to corporate drop-outs. SEED – Women Connecting At the Roots – believes that women can support each other and this International Women’s Day will be celebrating with women all over the world the next hundred years of positive change for women in society.

Lynne Franks, author and businesswoman, is the founder of SEED. Visit us to learn how to join a SEED Circle, become a SEED Coach or participate in our start-up business programmes on www.seednetwork.com

“I have been working with women all over the world for the last twenty years, guiding and nurturing them through my SEED Women’s Network, so they can feel safe to create a professional as well as personal life that reflects their feminine values, instead of trying to live life as a surrogate man.”

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£3 WHERE SOLD EDITOR ISABEL APPIO PUBLISHERS ISABEL APPIO, IAN THOMAS & ADAM HAYES

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR DARREN WAITE SENIOR SALES EXECUTIVE GURPREET KUNDI BRETT DAVEY

LISTINGS EDITOR JONATHAN WILLIAMS DESIGNED BY ART EDITOR: JON-PAUL DALY DESIGNER: JOHN BLANCO COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF PARLOPHONE SALES OFFICE SUGAR MEDIA LTD STUDIO 4 HILTONGROVE 14 SOUTHGATE ROAD LONDON N1 3LY TEL: 0207 407 7747 FAX: 0207 407 6800 EMAIL: INFO@SUGARMEDIA.CO.UK FREQUENCY ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION NATIONWIDE WOMEN IS PUBLISHED BY SUGAR MEDIA LTD© WWW.INTERNATIONAL WOMENSMONTH.COM WWW.SUGARMEDIA.CO.UK DISCLAIMER NO MATERIAL IN THIS PUBLICATION MAY BE USED WITHOUT PERMISSION FROM THE PUBLISHER. THE VIEWS EXPRESSED IN WOMEN ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE VIEWS OF THE EDITOR OR THE PUBLISHER.

* this publication. Please recycle

CONTENTS WOMEN

*INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH2008 Introduction 6 EDITOR’S INTRODUCTION. 8 DIANE SHADWELL OPINION. Women 10 IWM HISTORY. 16 KYLIE MINOGUE, RESPECT.

Features 12 USE YOUR VOTE. 20 MILLION WOMEN MARCH. 30 DIANE ABBOTT MP. 34 WORK THE ROOM. 42 LOOK BACK AT THE NHS 85 HIV: WHEN THINGS FALL APART. 87 HIV: NATASHA BELL.

Arts & Culture 22 FASHION: WORKING GLAMOUR. 28 EXHIBITION: ANNIE LEIBOVITZ. 79 COMEDY: NINIA BENJAMIN.

Worklife & Careers 36 WOMEN IN SET. 38 WOMEN IN ENGINEERING. 39 WOMEN IN IT. 44 UNIFORMED SERVICES: POLICE. 48 U NIFORMED SERVICES: FIRE & RESCUE.

52 U NIFORMED SERVICES: ARMED FORCES.

54 T URN TO TEACHING. 72 I NTERVIEW: MEI SIM LAI. 77 A SIAN BUSINESS AWARDS. 81 I NTERVIEW: ELIZABETH HUNT. Fostering & Adoption 60 EVERY CHILD MATTERS. 62 THINKING OF FOSTERING? 64 MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE. 65 BE MY PARENT. 66 COULD I ADOPT A CHILD? 70 MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION. Health & Wellbeing 82 INTERVIEW: ANNIE LENNOX. 88 MOBILE GROOMING. 89 MICHELE KNIGHT.

IWM Listings 91 NATIONAL LISTINGS. 112 VENUE LISTINGS.

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INTRODUCTION EDITOR ISABEL APPIO

OHyes WE CAN... *

WOMEN’S MONTH 2008

MARCH 2008 2008 EDITION

INTERNATIONALWOMENSM ONTH.COM

WOMEN - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH EDITION MARCH 2008

*INTERNATIONAL

funny wo men YES, WE CAN TELL JOKES!

EVENTS LISTINGS Don’t miss

out!

Heart&

Join the Million that you can achieve success and t’s one hundred years since ANNIE LENNOX WOMEN MARCH INTERVIEW Soul still give a damn about the ethics of International Women’s Month Living with HIV EVERFIND Y OUT ABOUT your business and the repercussions began to take shape. Women FOSTERING & CH ILD ADOPTION of your industry on others, not magazine, published every LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX! WE NEED MORE WOMEN MATTERS IN ENGINEERING & IT just those in your immediate March to co-incide with the RISING UP environment but the world over. event, is here to recognise and applaud BRAD PITT THE RANKS IN BED A CAREER IN THE It is entirely significant that the women who are “doing their thing” ANNIE LEIBOWITZ GETS UNIFORMED SERVICES UP-CLOSE & PERSONAL around the world, women are and changing the world for the better. pushing forward in Eco and ethical In this issue, we look at re-occuring WHY WE ALL LOVE business. themes which affect us all. For one, KYLIE... On the upside, our featured striking a work/life balance. Who says women show that we can also you can’t be a workaholic high-flier, make work successfully in any field: Women in SET (Science, the right career moves and still have plenty of room for rest Engineering & Technology) have made huge inroads. On and play? Serious professionals still know the meaning of fun the downside, sectors such as Construction and the Built and laughter. Don’t we? Environment and Motoring (traditionally white, male and Our cover girl Kylie who faced one of the greatest over 50) remain unabashed by the surge of Equal Opps challenges of her life - breast cancer and had to currently sweeping through other sectors. take a step back and re-evaluate the balance Each year it is a revelation and pleasure to read about between work, rest and play, partners, women in all areas – finance and the corporate world, police family and friends. Thankfully, and other uniformed services, politics, fashion, arts and she’s come through with her own entrepreneurs where the resounding ethos is …… solutions and is back, full-steam in Oh yes we can! the career she loves. The women we feature in this magazine are thriving proof Isabel Appio, Editor, Women MARRIAGE NUMBER 3, BABY NUMBER 4, HIV+ & BLISSFULLY HAPPY

WOW! *INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH

EDITION

Women cover.indd 2

14/3/08 09:43:41

Isabel Appio, Editor, Women

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“The women we feature in this magazine are thriving proof that you can achieve success and still give a damn about the ethics of your business and the repercussions of your industry on others, not just those in your immediate environment but the world over.”

THE DESIGNER. THE STYLIST. THE PHOTOGRAPHER. THE ACCOUNTANT. The ACA. Vital to keeping fashion labels in the black How can you be sure that you’ve got what it takes to achieve your dream career? The ACA qualification from the ICAEW gives you access to so many amazing opportunities. Chartered accountants are business advisers, experts that are pivotal to the success of an organisation. If you’re looking for a qualification that puts you at the forefront of business and gives you the cutting edge, look no further than the ACA.

To find out more: T +44 (0)1908 248 040 www.icaew.com/careers

OPINION DIANE SHADWELL

SHAKE YOUR TAIL FEATHERS,

baby

DIANE SHADWELL HAS COME A LONG WAY SINCE HER EARLY AVERSION TO THE WOMEN OF GREENHAM COMMON. NOW SHE CONCEDES THAT, PERHAPS, SISTERHOOD ISN’T SO BAD AFTER ALL.

any years ago, International Women’s Month would, for me, have conjured up images of moustached women knitting jumpers using their pubic hair to cast on, while belting out We Shall Overcome. This, (I can’t justify it), stems from sometime in the 1980’s when I came across a book called Our Bodies Ourselves, which was full of black and white pictures of women hugging each other not looking particularly happy. The fact that they were breast feeding their seven year olds, whilst spooning natural yogurt on their ladies bits, led me to resent the whole idea of womanhood and sisterhood. I was 18, very immature, and wanted everything in my life to be packaged nicely, with little bows all shiny and sparkly. So I was never really bothered with how women got the vote, and the terrible sacrifice made to get it. The Greenham Common women left me confused, and I remember watching the news with my mum thinking, “I bet when they go into their tents, they talk about one another behind their backs.” Shallow? Me? Yes. Dopey? Definitely. So why should we celebrate International Women’s Month? Wind another twenty or more years on, and I hope I can have a more rounded and mature view of what this month should be about. Well, to be honest, after looking into the history, the sacrifices made, the struggle, the integrity of women who were involved from when * to now, then yes, it it all began in 1910

“The fact that they were breast feeding their seven year-olds, whilst spooning Natural yogurt on their ladies bits, led me to resent the whole idea of womanhood and sisterhood.”

should be celebrated, but in an upbeat and ‘celebratory’ way: Dancing in the streets to Aretha Franklin belting out Respect. Fireworks and party hats. Ending with a massive conga around the streets of the world - all in praise of women’s achievements. One of my greatest achievements is, and this is a strange one, I have learnt to be nice. Me! Not only that, but nice to other women. It sounds perverse, but after so many years of feeling like an outsider and looking at women as if they were a different species, I can now be part of a sociable group. I can join in conversations and not sit like a wallflower picking my nails and thinking “Dull. Dull. Dull.” I think this is because, as a woman in my 40’s, I don’t feel like I need to judge or be judged. I am happy. Strange but true. As proof of this I recently met a woman I have never liked, who has all the character traits I despise (and she flirts with my boyfriend). She tries to be kooky and vulnerable but I have never fallen for it. Oops, I forgot I am being nice. So as I stood there, I didn’t focus on her crooked teeth or overly dyed black hair (too much when you have a bony face and hooked nose). No, I wished her well and said we must do coffee sometime. Now that, for me, is nice. Even if I didn’t mean it. Turning the clock back again to when

I was part of a female double act, I recall a particular gig that we had stormed. As we left the stage however, the compare said to the audience, “Well that’s care in the community for you lads. Don’t give them a hard time, they’ll only cry, and talk about their periods.” Afterwards, in the smoke-filled dressing room he scratched the eczema patch on his flaking bald head and asked us what we were up to next. “A sketch show for Radio Four.” We replied sweetly. “And then a pilot series for Channel Four.” “Who did you sleep with to get that then girls?” Oh, how we all laughed. The men very loud, my friend and I tittered and almost blushed. Now when I go to comedy meetings, it’s amazing - nothing has changed. The men still sit round talking about their favourite Monty Python sketch, laughing at each other’s jokes. When they finally stop and allow me to speak, they look around blankly when I reveal my ideas for a sketch, only to come up with the same idea later on. And I must say it’s true that when a female comic comes on, the audience hold their breath and pray she will make at least one joke that is a bit funny. So woman of the world unite - stop the train, the bus, anything, but get on board and shake your tail feathers, baby.

Comedian and writer Diane Shadwell has written sketch shows for Radio 4, been part of the double comedy act, Maureen Duffy and her twin sister Maureen. She has just written a children’s book called London Boy. She lives in north London with her two children and boyfriend.

Advertorial - Appointments Commission

Make a difference Public appointments in the NHS

n common with a lot of women in business, senior BT manager Allison Seidlar reached a point where the corporate environment was no longer fully meeting her personal values. “I wanted to feel I was making a difference, to give something back to society.” She chose to do this by applying for a part-time public appointment on the board of an NHS trust and is now a non-executive director of Hillingdon Primary Care Trust (PCT) in London. Danielle Walker Palmour, who has a background in the public and charitable sectors, had a similar motivation: “As an American living in the UK, I am amazed at the excellent service provided by the NHS and have very good experiences of it. It’s so unique I really wanted to get involved.” Danielle has been a non-executive director at North Yorkshire and York PCT for the past 18 months. Both women are very positive about their experiences. Allison was surprised to learn that the NHS was interested in women with business experience: “Everyone has been so welcoming and

“I wanted to feel I was making a difference, to give something back to society.” made me feel that my contribution is valued. The role is so satisfying – you are involved in decisions which can make a real difference to the quality of people’s lives.” Danielle agrees: “The NHS is a very woman-centric service and they understand issues like childcare and family commitments. The workforce is overwhelmingly female at the lower levels, so we need to get more women on Boards.” Fewer than 40% of non-executive directors within the NHS are women and the number represented on boards has declined over the last five years. The Appointments Commission, which recruits and appoints all nonexecutives to NHS trusts in England, is determined to reverse this trend. It is now working with some of Britain’s biggest companies and with public and voluntary organisations to encourage more women to apply for such roles.

“I would recommend this to anyone,” says Allison. “The time commitment can be challenging if you are working full time, but it is manageable and the reward is well worth it.” Danielle agrees “You will need to be flexible and juggle commitments, but that’s something we women are

very good at! I really enjoy the role and, if they have the skills to offer, I would encourage any woman to get involved.” For more information visit www.appointments.org.uk or call 0870 240 3802

Danielle Walker Palmour

NHS Can you bring your expertise to a new arena? Public Appointments in the NHS There are more than 300 local NHS bodies in England responsible for the healthcare provided by the NHS - and the experience and expertise of people like you is invaluable to them. As a non-executive director serving on the Board of your local healthcare body, you will make decisions that shape services and directly affect your community. This is a rewarding and intellectually challenging role which offers you unrivalled opportunities for personal development. Becoming a non-executive director in your local NHS requires a time commitment of around 2 1/2 days a month. Remuneration ranges from £5,875 to £12,663 per annum. For more information, or to register for vacancies in your local area, please visit www.appointments.org.uk/vacancies/ or call us on 0870 240 3802 quoting ref: IW. The Appointments Commission is committed to equality of opportunity for all and the principle of appointment based on merit following an open and transparent process and independent assessment. Please note these are public appointments, not employment.

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WOMEN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH

INTERNATIONAL MONTH

Women’s

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MONTH (IWM) AND (COMBINED WITH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ON MARCH 8) IS AN OCCASION MARKED BY WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD. AS SUPPORT FOR IWM GROWS EACH YEAR, HERE IS HOW IT ALL BEGAN AND 100 YEARS AGO AND WHY IT IS STILL SO WIDELY EMBRACED TODAY…..

WM is commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday. When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences come together to celebrate, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. The idea of an International Women’s Day first arose at the turn of the century, which in the industrialised world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies. Following is a brief chronology of the most important events:

1909

In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day was observed across the United States on 28 February. Women continued to celebrate it on the last Sunday of that month through 1913.

1910

The Socialist International, meeting in * Copenhagen, established a Women’s

“When women on all continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic, cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate, they can look back to a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.”

Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women’s rights and to assist in achieving universal suffrage for women.

1911

As a result of the decision taken at Copenhagen the previous year, International Women’s Day was marked for the first time (19 March) in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where more than one million women and men attended rallies. In addition to the right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded the right to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job. Less than a week later, on 25 March, the tragic Triangle Fire in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working girls, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This event had a significant impact on labour legislation in the United States, and the working conditions leading up to the disaster were invoked during subsequent observances of International Women’s Day.

1913-1914

As part of the peace movement brewing on the eve of World War I, Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. Elsewhere in Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the

war or to express solidarity with their sisters.

1917

With 2 million Russian soldiers dead in the war, Russian women again chose the last Sunday in February to strike for “bread and peace”. Political leaders opposed the timing of the strike, but the women went on anyway. The rest is history: Four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote. That historic Sunday fell on 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia, but on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere. Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point for coordinated efforts to demand women’s rights and participation in the political and economic process. Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights.

For more information see www.un.org

Publications for everyone. To see the full range of publications and websites visit www.sugarmedia.co.uk

Protest: Millicent

Rights: Fawcett in hyde park

A HOST OF ORGANISATIONS FROM ACROSS BRITAIN ARE COMING TOGETHER TO MARK THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE. HERE’S HOW YOU CAN TAKE PART……

USEyour VOTE WHEN WOMEN GOT THE VOTE

yoming Territory in the USA is the first place in the 1869 W world to give votes to women. 1893 New Zealand is the first country to give women the vote. 1902 Australia, although aboriginal women were not eligible to vote until 1967, when along with aboriginal men, they were granted full citizenship. 1906 Finland is the first country in Europe to give women the vote. 1917 Russia *

1918 United Kingdom (partial), Germany, Canada, Austria. 1920 The USA, but not Native American women. 1925 Italy 1928 United Kingdom (full), Ireland 1930 South Africa , but only to white women. Indian and ‘coloured’ women won the vote in 1984 Hillary and black women in 1994. Clinton: Encouraging 1931 Spain women voters 1932 Brazil 1944 France 1945 Italy 1946 Kenya, Palestine

1947 China, Pakistan 1948 Israel, Iraq 1950 India 1952 Greece 1953 Mexico 1956 Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritius 1957 Malaysia 1962 Algeria 1971 Switzerland 1974 Jordan 1976 Portugal 2001 Bahrain

FEATURE USE YOUR VOTE WOMEN AND THE VOTE * 2008 marks 90 years since the Representation of the People Act finally gave some women the right to vote. It is also 80 years since women won the right to vote on equal terms with men, and the start of democratic representation as we know it today. * In 2006, Kuwaiti women got vote for first time. The 28,000 eligible voters, 60% of whom are women, voted in segregated polling booths, a condition demanded by Islamist and tribal MPs. Women voted in full legislative polls in 2007.

he ‘2008: Women and the Vote’ campaign will be putting pressure on the government to put equality back at the top of the agenda, as part of a year long initiative to highlight both the progress and the barriers that still face women in politics. The alliance, which includes the Centre for Women and Democracy, the Electoral Reform Society, Engender, the Fawcett Society, Hansard Society, Unlock Democracy and Women’s Parliamentary Radio, will be running a series of events to celebrate landmarks for women in politics throughout 2008. Alliance partners will be promoting new research on women’s progress at Westminster and beyond. 2008: Women and the Vote spokesperson Beatrice Barleon said: “This year we celebrate 90 years since the Representation of the People Act gave at least some women in this country the right to vote. Another 10 years would see equality for men and women at the ballot box, and the beginning of democracy as we know it today. “We believe these two anniversaries are something we can and should all celebrate. Women and the Vote is an

* In 1918 Countess Constance Markiewicz was the first woman to be elected as a Member of Parliament. She was in Holloway Prison at the time and never took her seat. * By the eve of the First World War in 1914, British women still had no vote, a condition they shared with convicts, the residents of mental asylums and the very poorest of male agricultural workers.

opportunity to see just how far women have come in politics and just what is still conspiring to hold them back.” Email beatrice.barleon@electoralreform.org.uk or call 020 7202 8600 for further information. Sign up to the campaign or to register for regular campaign updates email info@womenandthevote.com.

PARTNERS

Centre for Women and Democracy www.cfwd.org.uk Electoral Reform Society www.electoral-reform.org.uk Engender www.engender.org.uk The Fawcett Society www.fawcett.org.uk The Hansard Society www.hansardsociety.org.uk Unlock Democracy www.unlockdemocracy.org.uk Women’s Parliamentary Radio www.wpradio.co.uk

* The Women’s National Anti-Suffrage League, formed in 1908, had about 42,000 members before it joined, two years later, the predominantly male National League for Opposing Woman Suffrage. The merger created tensions, especially for leading female figures who jostled for position with men such as Lord Cromer and Lord Curzon. When the First World War broke out and a large number of women took up war work, the anti-suffrage cause was fatally weakened. After certain categories of women over the age of 30 were granted the parliamentary vote in 1918, the National League approved its own demise. * The most famous act associated with the Suffragettes was when Emily Wilding Davison threw herself under the King’s horse, Anmer, as it rounded Tattenham Corner on June 1913 Derby. * In Santa Maria Quiegolani, Mexico, women high in the pine-clad mountains of Oaxaca rise each morning at 4 a.m. to gather firewood, grind corn, prepare the day’s food, care for the children and clean the house. But they aren’t allowed to vote in local elections, because the men say “they don’t do enough work.” * Britain has 126 female MPs in a Parliament of 646. * *

Advertorial - British Sugar

Challenging graduate opportunities at British Sugar

ritish Sugar, with operations in Africa, Europe and the Far East, is the leading sugar supplier in the UK. We process the country’s entire sugar beet crop annually (around seven million tonnes), with our technologically advanced processing plants producing around 7,500 tonnes of sugar a day. The company is a member of the Associated British Foods (ABF) group, which is a FTSE 100 listed company. Other members of the group include Allied Bakeries, Silver Spoon, The Ryvita Company and Twining and Company Ltd. British Sugar is a growing, diverse and highly complex business. Our culture is one of improvement and today’s graduates will provide the business with its senior managers of the future. The size of the workforce is relatively small, providing scope for graduates to make a visible impact.

Wissington sugar factory, Norfolk

working skills. We look for at least a 2:1 degree, but self-motivation and the ability to influence people at all levels is key. All of our graduates must be prepared to be fully mobile.

Requirements

Training and Development

We are looking for high calibre graduates whose strong technical skills in their own discipline are backed by energy, drive and ambition; individuals who relish the prospect of change and are prepared to demonstrate team

The graduate programmes begin with a comprehensive induction to the business, the structure, the market and the business issues we face. This induction is followed by a series of core training modules to give graduates from

all disciplines an insight into general business topics and general management skills. Throughout the scheme each graduate will be supported by their own personally assigned mentor. A wide variety of training courses are offered throughout the duration of the programme. At British Sugar you are encouraged to take ownership of your own career progression to help you develop the expertise and personal qualities you will need to achieve your career goals. A highly advanced programme of functional training and cross-functional project work will allow you to build wider credibility and competence.

Rewards

“British Sugar is a growing, diverse and highly complex business. Our culture is one of improvement and today’s graduates will provide the business with its senior managers of the future.”

HOW DO YOU SYRUP FROM INTO JUICE F

Challenging work, early responsibility and exciting career opportunities are the hallmark of the British Sugar Graduate schemes. Our flexible programmes provide the optimal combination of practical experience and structured training to prepare you for a career in senior management. Opportunities to spend time abroad are also open to our graduates. Study towards professional qualifications is fully encouraged and sponsored by the company. We offer a competitive starting salary along with a comprehensive benefits package. All graduate salaries are reviewed regularly in line with personal performance and achievement of professional qualifications as appropriate.

Locations

If you thought British Sugar just mad Head Office in Peterborough; Factories in can also produce bioethan beet crop, we East Anglia and the East Midlands. the amount of carbon emissions releas

And there are a lot of other things that might sur

Contact us classic round tomatoes – more than 34 million each British Sugar plc Will we be spellbound by your talents? We are lo Sugar Way drive and ambition. To find out more about a com Peterborough PE2 9AY Email: bsgrads@britishsugar.co.uk Website: www.bsgrads.co.uk

British Sugar Head office, Peterborough. *

Please apply online at www.bsgrads.co.uk.

PURE MAGIC

HOW DO YOU TURN THE SYRUP FROM SUGAR INTO JUICE FOR A CAR?

If you thought British Sugar just made sugar, think again. When we process the sugar beet crop, we can also produce bioethanol. Just add this ‘green’ fuel to petrol and, hey presto, the amount of carbon emissions released into the environment is significantly reduced. And there are a lot of other things that might surprise you too – like the fact that we are the UK’s largest producer of classic round tomatoes – more than 34 million each year. Will we be spellbound by your talents? We are looking for top-calibre graduates, whose skills are backed by energy, drive and ambition. To find out more about a company that’s pure magic to work for, go to www.bsgrads.co.uk

Wow WOW Wow “Her highly publicised fight against breast cancer raised the stakes – not only did she win our support and increased admiration for her positive outlook in times of extreme stress, she made many of us dig deep into our own fragile psyches.”

Kylie models dress on display at the V&A, London, last year Photograph © Darenote Ltd

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WOMEN KYLIE MINOGUE

SHE HAS BEEN VOTED “WOMAN OF THE YEAR” MORE TIMES THAN ANY OTHER WOMAN – AND THAT INCLUDES POLITICIANS, PROFESSIONALS, WORLD LEADERS, SPORTS FIGURES, BUSINESSWOMEN AND YES, HRH HERSELF. HELENA MORGAN LOOKS AT THE REASONS WHY WE ALL LOVE KYLIE.

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K *

ylie is that rare thing – a female pop artist, combining a canny brain and mature beauty who has survived more than two decades at the top – still looking and performing as hotly as she did since she broke free of Neighbours onto the world arena. Even rarer, she is an artist who garners the warmest admiration and adoration from across sexes, ages, cultures, colour, classes and background. The affection for Kylie spans teeny-boppers barley out of Huggies to grown women who don’t know their Myleenes from their Mutyas and of course to men – who love her - whether as a Gay icon or the beautiful babe that she is. She’s a glamorous workhorse, a down-to-earth diva without the pretension of Madonna or the self-destruct pathos Britney. She’s a female over 40 that can still carry off a pair of gold lame batty-riders – without getting the “whatnot-to-wear” stamp of humiliation. If there is such a thing as a woman of substance in pop – then Kylie’s it! Her highly publicised fight against breast cancer raised the stakes – not only did she win our support and increased admiration for her positive (often downright bubbly) outlook in times of extreme stress, she made many of us dig deep into our own fragile psyches. As Mary Riddell summed it up, in the Observer: “She has made people consider what it might be like to die.” In the shallow and increasingly tiresome world of celebrity status, Kylie is one celeb that we still have time for. She will be treading the boards this summer and still keeps up campaigning work for Breast Cancer awareness. During International Women’s Month this March, one of her redcarpet dresses will be part of the 27 Celebrity dresses auctioned in support of the Lavender Trust (for young women with breast cancer). She’s sold out six world tours, including the critically acclaimed 2006/2007 “Showgirl Homecoming” concert which was cut short due to her breast cancer diagnosis in 2005. Kylie was to face one of her greatest challenges, but following a partial mastectomy and a period of rest she was back as the optimistic, global cover girl craving to get back to work.

It’s not just music where Kylie has excelled - in the business world, the self-invented Kylie brand is flying off the shelves including her own perfume and underwear ranges. Kylie also holds the record for the most played female artist on UK radio over the last 20 years, consistently re-inventing herself in a ruthless industry where youth and looks continue to call the shots. In her private life, during her on-off-on-off relationship with French photographer Olivier Martinez, she always presented as proud and unruffled by her love of an apparent commitment phobe. Further proof of her top place in the popularity stakes – she has been re-moulded four times at Madame Tussauds - only the Queen has had more models created! As pop guru Pete Waterman once said: “There is just something about her. If you could bottle it, you’d be a billionaire.” We can see how hard she has slogged for her fame and fortune, built more on genuine talent, determination and guts than hype. Another rare thing - she deserves all the success! We want to egg her on, not put her down. A perennial party girl, she does good times with dignity and decorum – values that we still admire! Resilient and astute, the traditional Blonde Bimbo has never been one of her roles. As she says: “If you are part of a record company, to a degree it’s fair to say that you are a manufactured project. It doesn’t mean you’re not talented and that you don’t make creative and business decisions about what you do. I’m an all-rounder. If I was to choose anyone element of what I do, I don’t know if I’d excel at any one. But put all of them together, and I know what I’m doing.”

Keep on going Kylie! Kylie Minogue and other stars are auctioning off their red carpet dresses on eBay, with the proceeds going to The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care. The Lavender Trust at Breast Cancer Care raises money specifically to fund information and support for younger women with breast cancer. See www.breastcancercare.org.

The Regional Strategic Partnership for Equality and Diversity for the West Midlands Strategic reviews of organisations across the West Midlands show that the Region has a good history of recognising and supporting the needs of different communities. The establishment of this Partnership provides the West Midlands with the opportunity to identify and build upon good practice, as well as provide support and guidance not only to organisations across the Region but to others throughout the United Kingdom in their approach to difficult and complex areas of equalities and diversity. The Partnership for Equality and Diversity includes members from across the West Midlands from the business, statutory, community and voluntary sectors. Details of the Partnership’s work can be found at www.wmra.gov.uk/equalities

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12/02/2007 10:10:41

Different people. Same values. The Welsh Assembly Government has established a number of support networks for employees from under-represented groups with whom we consult on a range of policy issues that affect them. The Women’s Network is a new venture which aims to focus on personal growth and mutual support of women within the Assembly Government. We are an inclusive network promoting informal networking and event attendance from all levels of Welsh Assembly Government employees. Because of the breadth of policy areas devolved in Wales we can also offer career opportunities across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Economic Development, the Environment and various corporate services such as Finance and HR. As well as employing administrators, managers and policy experts we also need a range of specialists including lawyers, statisticians and engineers to name but a few.

We offer excellent terms and conditions and are committed to promoting a fair work-life balance through a program of flexible-working patterns including a generous maternity package, career break opportunities and a wide range of special leave options. In recognition of our social responsibilities we offer opportunities for volunteering and secondments within the Voluntary sector. We are serious about learning and invest heavily in developing our staff and identifying talent particularly in terms of our future leadership. So if you are interested in joining the Welsh Assembly Government, and want to be part of the excitement and challenge of working for a “modern devolved government”why not visit www.wales.gov.uk/recruitment to find out more.

FEATURE MILLION WOMEN MARCH

FACTS GENDER VIOLENCE IN THE UK * 167 women are raped everyday and only one in five attacks are reported to the police. (Amnesty International)

Million WOMEN RISE WOMEN FROM ACROSS THE UNITED KINGDOM WILL MARCH IN CENTRAL LONDON ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, SATURDAY 8TH MARCH 2008

“One woman in four will experience domestic violence at some point in her life.” Amnesty International

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The march is a response to the continuing impact of all forms of violence against women. The event will also celebrate and honour the achievements and resilience of women. Speakers at the rally include: Survivors of gendered violence and representatives from national and campaigning organisations such as Southall Black Sisters, Women’s Aid, Fawcett Society, Women’s Institute, Women and Girls Network and the Rape Crisis Federation. The event has been organised by women who work closely with survivors of gendered violence. The Million Women Rise Coalition believes that a woman’s right to live free from violence and the fear of violence has not been achieved. Despite important steps taken by the government to address domestic violence, specialist organisations such as Southall Black Sisters and Rape Crisis Centres face losing their funding, so reducing the support available to the most vulnerable women in society. Sabrina Qureshi, Co-ordinator of the Million Women Rise Coalition

states: “Violence against women and children continues to be a global pandemic. Women and children around the world experience domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, forced marriage, trafficking, so-called “honour” killings, dowry deaths, female feticide through sexselective abortion, female infanticide and female genital mutilation. In the UK only 5% of rapes reported to the police result in a conviction. Two women a week are killed by their partner or ex-partner. Violence against women violates life, liberty, bodily integrity, freedom of movement and dignity of the person. This March marks the beginning of a concerted and energetic campaign to reverse these trends.” The march will assemble in Hyde Park at 12 noon (nearest tube station is Marble Arch) and then march to Trafalgar Square where there will be a rally from 3 pm to 6 pm. Further details can be found at www.millionwomenrise.com, contact: Sabrina Qureshi, Co-ordinator on 07862 113308

* Up to 1,420 women per year are trafficked into the UK for sexual exploitation. (Home Office) * The UK Government announced that 330 child victims of trafficking had been identified over an 18-month period; of these 183 went missing from Social Services care. (Unicef) * One woman in four will experience domestic violence at some point in her life. (Amnesty International) * Two women are murdered every week by their partner or ex partner. (Amnesty International) * One incident of domestic violence is reported to the police every minute. (Amnesty International) * 250 cases of forced marriage are reported each year. (Foreign & Commonwealth Office) * One woman a month is murdered in “honour” killings. (Metropolitan Police) * Over 20,000 girls could be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the UK. (Forward UK) * The majority of women in prison are there for non-violent offences, theft, fraud and drug-related crime. (Home Office) * Over half of women have experienced domestic violence and one in three have experienced sexual abuse. (Fawcett Society) * Every year, 2 million girls between the ages of 5 years and 15 years are coerced, abducted, sold or trafficked into the illegal sex market. (Help Save Kids) * 2 million females are killed before or at birth simply because of their sex. (India Female Foeticide)

W orking Glamour *

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LIFE through A LENS ANNIE LEIBOVITZ:

documentary film about the life and work of the iconic American photographer - directed by her sister, Barbara Leibovitz - gives a unique insight into one of the world’s most celebrated portrait photographers. Almost as famous as the people she photographs, Leibovitz captures her subjects – from Demi Moore and Nicole Kidman to the George W Bush cabinet – with often theatrical or provocative imagination, her work regularly adorning the covers of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and the New Yorker since the early 80s. Annie’s own life has been private and protected, but this documentary feature follows Annie Leibovitz’s career for more than 30 years, reflecting on the influence of her relationship with partner Susan Sontag, and featuring interviews with Hillary Rodham Clinton, Whoopi Goldberg, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Yoko Ono, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Anna Wintour. Leibovitz has also recorded the horrors of war in Rwanda and Sarajevo.

Venice, 1994 Photograph of Annie Leibovitz taken by Susan Sontag

The film Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens is showing until 16 Mar 2008 at the ICA, London cinema. For full details see www.ica.org.uk

Vanity Fair Portraits: Photographs 1913–2008 can also be seen at The National Portrait Gallery, Wolfson Gallery, London as part of a showcasing of 150 portraits including classic images from Vanity Fair magazine. Until 26 May 2008. See www.npg,org,uk for full details.

ARTS & CULTURE PHOTOGRAPHY

Left: Nicole Kidman, New York, 2003 Below: Brad Pitt, Las Vegas, 1994 Bottom: Hollywood Cover for Vanity Fair by Annie Leibovitz, April 2001 (L-R: Nicole Kidman, Catherine Deneuve, Meryl Streep, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett, Vanessa Redgrave, Kate Winslet, Chloë Sevigny, Sophia Loren and Penelope Cruz) All photographs © 2007 by Annie Leibovitz from the documentary Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens, Barbara Leibovitz, Director

FEATURE DIANE ABBOTT MP

THE WINNING VOTE Diane Abbott MP By Barbara Walshe

Diane Abbott, the first black woman to be elected to parliament

The recent party thrown by the Fawcett Society at the House of Commons to celebrate the achievements of Diane Abbott, the first black woman to be elected to parliament, also served to bitterly highlight how little things have moved on. Since Abbott was first elected as a Labour MP for Hackney and Stoke Newington in 1987, only two other black women have joined her in parliament - Dawn Butler and Oona King. That’s three black women in the history of politics. And there is yet to be an Asian woman MP elected. What’s gone wrong here? Based on the average of one additional ethnic minority woman MP every 10 years, it will take more than 300 years before parliament reflects Britain’s population of ethnic minority women who make up 5.2 per cent of the UK. “Many thought that I couldn’t win, that people just wouldn’t come out to vote for a young black woman to become a Member of Parliament. Even a number of black people

thought that.” Speaking to Coutts Woman, Abbot gave her view: “Black women suffer from a double whammy in that they suffer from sexism which women do anyway, but also there’s racism on top. That makes it that much harder for them. But I think there are many able and dynamic black women around and they have a lot of things to offer, so I hope to encourage them to get active in politics.” In a profession where you are scrutinised for your every word and move, it’s not perhaps the most appealing of careers. Though this has never much bothered Abbott. Throughout her 20 years, she has been a highly controversial figure, often rebelling against the views of New Labour rather than towing the party line. For this, she has gained wide-spread respect and become somewhat of an iconic figure for the left. However, all this nearly lay in tatters in 2003 when Abbot sent her son to a fee-paying school in the City of London rather than to a state school in her own constituency. “Sending my son to a fee-paying school was one of my toughest times but I don’t regret the decision I took about his education. “It was very difficult because I was trying to do the right

HM Treasury is one of the leading departments in government. The department's aim is to raise the rate of sustainable growth and achieve rising prosperity and a better quality of life, with economic and employment opportunities for all. The Treasury aims to be a world-class finance ministry, which is: ďż˝

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an excellent place to work, where staff can feel proud to work, can develop the right skills and feel valued for their contribution; expert at delivery, responding swiftly and effectively to Ministers' changing priorities and to new issues as they arise; and skilled at working with and through others, winning respect for the quality of its policy making, its integrity, and its ability to deliver.

To meet these objectives the Treasury needs highly skilled, talented people from a wide range of backgrounds, committed to achieving excellence. We are committed to fair and open competition and equal opportunities. Applications from under-represented groups are particularly welcome. Details about current opportunities and further information about the Treasury is available at: www.hm-treasury.gov.uk

FEATURE DIANE ABBOTT MP

Diane Abbott, (left) with members of working links.

“Black women suffer from a double whammy in that they suffer from sexism which women do anyway, but also there’s racism on top. That makes it that much harder for them. But I think there are many able and dynamic black women around and they have a lot of things to offer, so I hope to encourage them to get active in politics.” thing as a mother, and some people were upset by that. That was one of my toughest times but I don’t regret the decision I took about my son’s education,” she insists. She survived the career crisis, although many people remain divided about her and her decision even now. The measured response she gives now on the matter, is an indication of just how far she’s come since the early days of her career, when she was renowned as a feisty, staunchly feminist, anti-racist Member of Parliament. “When I first started, it was very difficult because I wasn’t just black and female, I was also quite young. It was a difficult election campaign that a lot of people thought I couldn’t win because people just wouldn’t come out to vote for a young black woman to become a member of parliament. Even a number of black people thought that as well,” she said. But when she did? “It was a big adjustment for me and for parliament. The early years were probably the toughest. It’s got a little bit better partly because you’re very familiar to people,” she admitted. It was during Abbott’s college years that she developed a fire in her belly for politics. “My family came to this country from the Caribbean, my mother was a nurse and my daddy worked in a factory. I went to Cambridge and was really struck by the huge gulf between my background and most of the people I was at university with. And by the opportunities available to people like my parents, friends and relatives at school, and those I was meeting at Cambridge. It seemed I was living in a very divided society and I wanted to do something about it,” she insisted. And, over the last 20 years, some things have been done. “In Westminster, there are now 126 women and that’s a big change. There are also many more younger MPs. When I started in parliament, it seemed a very elderly place. “Outside politics, there are many more black women in professions like teaching and on TV. But still only two more black women have joined parliament in the last 20 years.” So, what would she like to see for the future of politics? “I think it’s very important that Britain has a parliament that looks like Britain, which means that it should be more diverse. Also, I think that for Britain to complete globally it needs to make a virtue of its diversity. It’s an asset and that should be reflected in parliament as well as everywhere else.” And for her personally? “My life’s ambition is to be an MP and I’ve been able to do that. I suppose the only thing left is to write a book. Probably fiction. I’ll have to wait for a few people to die before I write my memoir. It might be controversial.” We’d expect nothing less!

This article is printed with kind permission from www.couttswoman.com

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the

WORKING ROOM

NETWORKING SUCCESSFULLY IS A VALUABLE SKILL AND HAS ITS REWARDS. HERE ARE SOME TIPS TO HOW TO GET IT RIGHT If you were to ask ten different people what networking means to them you could get as many as different answers. How an individual would define it would largely depend on their use of this very important professional and personal activity. It is important to remember that networking is about the exchanging of information, contacts or

The DVLA is an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport. We aim to help improve road safety and the environment, reduce crime and improve public experience of government services through the efficient provision of driver and vehicle registration. Our key purpose is to establish and maintain accurate records of drivers and vehicles entitled to be on UK public roads. As an employer we are committed to supporting equality and diversity in our policy making, business, working relationships and employment practices.

experience. This is the same whether you network to make new friends, find a new job, develop your current career, explore new career options, obtain referrals or sales leads, or simply to broaden your professional horizons. More than a talent, networking is a skill – or a set of skills. Every conference, meeting, lecture and social event is an opportunity to meet people. It is a skill set no serious professional woman of the 21st century can be without.

The Government Equalities Office is responsible for the Government’s overall strategy and priorities on equality issues. It was established in July 2007 to strengthen the Government’s ability to deliver across the entire equalities agenda. The Office has responsibility for policy on gender equality, issues around sexual orientation and for integrating work on race and religion or belief into the overall equality framework.

We take diversity seriously and support the aim of the Department for Transport to raise the profile of diversity in the transport industry. It is our aim to ensure that our services are delivered in an inclusive and non-discriminatory manner. We support our staff with a range of family friendly policies.

Our key priorities for women were published last year.They are to: n Support families, particularly as they bring up children and care for older and disabled relatives n Tackle violence against women and improve the way we deal with women who commit crimes n Empower black and minority ethnic women to build cohesion within their communities and as a bridge between communities

The DVLA is proud to be associated with International Women’s Day.

You can find out more about the work of the GEO on our website www.equalities.gov.uk

SOME BASIC

“HOW TO”

NETWORKING TIPS * Start with a purpose. It does you no good to attend any networking function unless you know why you are there and what you want to get out of the event. * The name-tag is worn on the right side to provide an easy sight-line to your name when shaking hands. * Have an effective handshake - you have probably been on the receiving end of at least one “bone-crusher” and one “limp fish” so practice your handshake to avoid giving one of those yourself! * Introduce yourself! * A good way to introduce yourself is by saying your first name twice and then your surname. (I’m Sue. (pause) Sue Jones) This gives people time to absorb your name. * Shake hands. * Describe who you are or what you do in ten seconds or less. * When appropriate, offer a business card and ask the other person for one of his or hers. Sometimes it is more appropriate to exchange business cards when you leave one another. * Once the event is over, your networking doesn’t stop! Make sure to follow up with those you’ve met, keep in contact, share information and offer to help in any way you can. * You can send a written acknowledgement either by email or a “Thank You” note to your networking contacts.

FEATURE WORK THE ROOM

“The most important thing to remember about networking is, “It’s NOT all about you.” Why? Because the best networkers make it all about other people. Their focus is, “What do you need? How can I help you?” CREATE CONVERSATIONS

The most important thing to remember about networking is, “It’s NOT all about you.” Why? Because the best networkers make it all about other people. Their focus is, “What do you need? How can I help you?” It’s connecting with, and making connections for, other people. The first step is meeting people and finding out who they are and what’s important to them. Networking begins with having conversations making a bit of contact with the people who show up in our lives. Everyone has a story to tell. Your job is to find out what the story is. Sometimes it’s about what work they do; sometimes it’s not. So you know what

networking is, but where and when do you do it? All the time and everywhere - at the gym, the post office, a football game. Talk to the woman in the checkout line. Introduce yourself to the guy in the lift and the one sitting next to you on a plane. And, yes, go to those networking events that most people dread - those awkward mixers where a lot of people stand around with drink in hand wondering, “Who can I talk to?” Remember that 90 per cent of the people there have the same thought (“I hate this.”). They want to talk and will welcome a chance to do it. You can be part of the 90 per cent (wondering how soon you can leave) or part of the 10 per cent who are making use of the opportunity. This article is printed with kind permission of www.vault.com/europe and www.womenintechnology.co.uk

NOT EXACTLY AN

ORDINARY

DESK JOB Cheltenham How many desk jobs involve you with counter terrorism or in cracking the activities of an international drugs ring? How many arms smugglers pop up in your inbox? Or hackers in your filing tray? Working with GCHQ will take you to some interesting places. Not physically perhaps, but the next best thing – and you won’t have to worry about what to wear. Being in the front line of the fight against terrorism and crime isn’t exactly your ordinary desk job. But then, you’re looking for something more suited to your extraordinary talents. And our opportunities in Mathematics, Languages, IT, Information Science, Comms R&D and Intelligence could be just the thing. Find out more on www.careersinbritishintelligence.co.uk Applicants must be British citizens. GCHQ values diversity and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community. *

ME BREAK SO O T S U S E G AT WHY LACK DWIN UR D LOOK O N A THE S PETRA GEO O O B TA Y AB UTE SEX IN D R R T A O D W T U O O NEEDS T E FEMAL OLOGY (SET) BUSINESESSENTATION OF TH D TECHN OF REPR , ENGINEERING AN SCIENCE

K L A T S ’ T E L ! X E t S u o b a

n short, we need to overcome the obstacles to progress on equality of opportunity to pursue a career in engineering. These obstacles arise from traditional and stereotyped views, which still shape young people’s aspirations in education, training and employment. It is the result of such views that 92% of hairdressing apprentices are female and 97% of engineering manufacturing apprentices are male. (Source: Equal Opportunities Commission) The irony is that it is a human characteristic to think in paradigms - a sort of ‘short-hand thinking’. We make assumptions - sometimes correctly, sometimes erroneously - but this enables us to form opinions rapidly and quickly establish relationships. This is immensely useful, as most human endeavor is achieved when we work together with one another. However, it is the same paradigm-thinking, which leads some individuals to think:

“Women don’t want to work in engineering because it’s dirty and smelly!” or “It’s a man’s job to look after the car!” or “Girls aren’t any good at maths/science/technology/etc.” (This clearly is not true. According to the EOC statistics, while number of entrants at GCSE/SCE in these subjects is approximately even, the proportion of girls attaining Grades A-C or 1-3 is slightly higher) or “Girls don’t have the physical strength for engineering!” or “We don’t want to employ a woman - it would upset the men!” and ultimately: “I don’t understand this issue, so I’ll avoid it!”

nd ditional a a r t m o r f ise young stacles ar till shape s h ic “ These ob h g w , n, trainin d views stereotype irations in educatio f such sp lt o people’s a is the resu pprentices It . t n e m y a and emplo 2% of hairdressing g t9 engineerin .” f views tha o % 7 9 and e male are female entices ar r p p a g in ur manufact

WORKLIFE WOMEN IN SET

Thus, the employment of women in engineering becomes a taboo subject - not talked about - just like sex! There are two reasons why business needs to worry about the lack of representation of the female sex in science, engineering and technology. Firstly, our organisations need the best! Stereotypical thinking leads us to ignore at least half the potential candidates for recruitment into these careers. “We’re only fishing in half the pool!” According to the Engineering Council women account for about 14% of engineering degree students; 5% of technician and 2% of craft students. Good engineers are good engineers no matter what their ethnic origin, gender, religion or social background. Secondly, our organisations need diversity in the workforce! Diversity promotes innovation, which enhances competitive advantage. This is extremely important in engineering organisations where change is occurring so fast! Key requirements for engineering in the future are agility, flexibility and capability to evolve as working environments change. These are not gender-specific traits.

Now, let’s talk about those “practicals” FIRSTLY

Get your organisation involved with “taster” sessions: visits and open days to your business for schoolchildren, teachers, careers advisers, parents. At least let them form an opinion based on information not popular belief and misconceptions. (According to Mike Beasley, Executive Director of Jaguar Cars Ltd, you could eat your dinner off his factory’s floor - now there’s an idea!)

SECONDLY

I’d like you to check whether your organisation is inclusive towards women in engineering. How does it portray them in its promotional literature; in its policy documents; in its procedures? Does it countenance their possibility, even if it doesn’t employ any at present? (And while you’re at it, check how inclusive of women is your corporate attitude to senior management! Do you offer a career path to women engineers? Can you demonstrate that?)

FINALLY (AND MOST PERSONALLY)

I’d like each and everyone of you to check your own paradigms. Here’s a story to think about.

JOIN IN THE 2008 GLOBAL MARATHON FOR, BY AND ABOUT WOMEN IN ENGINEERING MARCH 26-27 2008

At any and all times during a 24-hour period a “conversation” will take place somewhere in the world on issues for, by and about women in engineering. The marathon is a combination of live Internet chats and teleconferences, and all are accessible to a worldwide audience. The 2008 Global 24-Hour Marathon, “For, By, and About Women in Engineering” event promises to be an exciting educational event designed to enlighten women around the globe about the various disciplines, benefits, and wide range possibilities in S.T.E.M, Science, Technology, Engineering and Math careers. The event will kickoff in the United States and then travel to Mexico, China, India, Africa, and Europe, retuning back to the United States for the closing ceremonies. For more information see www.eweek.org

Two engineering students were walking across campus, when one said: “Where did you get such a great bike?” The second engineer replied, “Well, I was walking along yesterday, minding my own business when a stunningly good-looking woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, ‘Take what you want!’” The second engineer nodded approvingly, “Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn’t have fitted.”

How was it for you? Petra Godwin, Member of the Women’s Engineering Society This article is based on a presentation made at the Congress of the Campaign to Promote Engineering on 18th May 1999 held at the IEE, London. For more information see The Women’s Engineering Society, The IET, Michael Faraday House, Six Hills Way, Stevenage, Herts, SG1 2AY. Telephone: 01438 765506 Fax: 01438 765506 E-mail: * info@wes.org.uk www.wes.org.uk *

WORKLIFE ADVERTORIAL WOMEN IN ENGINEERING

THE FORCE BEHIND the Forces

LUNCHING WITH CAPTAINS, CHAIRING MEETINGS IN NUCLEAR BUNKERS, JOINING THE ROYAL MARINES ON A OFF-SHORE RAIDING CRAFT, NOT FORGETTING TOPCLASS TRAINING IN ENGINEERING, ARE ALL PART OF THE WORKING LIFE OF A YOUNG GRADUATE AT THE DESG. The Defence Engineering & Science Group (DESG) is a community of 9,000 professional engineers and scientists working within MoD Civil Service to equip and support the UK Armed Forces with state of the art technology. We are truly the force behind the forces. • Do you possess strong problemsolving skills? Do you enjoy the thought of working at the cutting edge of technology? • Do you have the potential to lead people and work effectively in teams? Do you have a genuine interest in developing yourself to your full personal and professional potential? If you feel positively about these questions then our development schemes could prepare you for a career that will meet your aspirations.

NAME: HELEN DEGREE DISCIPLINE: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING HOME TOWN: LISKEARD, CORNWALL FAVOURITE CD: TAKE THAT GREATEST HITS TIME ON SCHEME: 8 MONTHS CURRENT ROLE AND TITLE

I am currently working as a graduate engineer in SP CISR IPT based at Abbey Wood, Bristol. I am mainly working on an Urgent Operational Requirement which arrived shortly after I did in placement. By the time I leave, it is expected that at least part of the equipment will be in theatre. Working on this type of project has enabled me to see more aspects of the acquisition process than I would have working on a ‘normal’ project.

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO DESG?

Flexibility. I was always keen to join a graduate scheme accredited by the ImechE, but DESG provides the opportunity to complete a series of varied placements in a range of locations, both within the MOD and in wider industry. Graduates create their own training plan to DESG guidelines, which tie in well with the ImechEs route to chartership.

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE

As a graduate, you’re offered many opportunities which you

For more information on careers with see www.desg.mod.uk *

PROFILE: MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

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won’t necessarily get otherwise. In the past few months, I have lunched with the captain of Fort Victoria, had a tour around HMS Spartan before she was decommissioned, visited the Defence Vehicle Display where I went off-roading in a Piranha armoured vehicle and had a ‘tour’ of the speed bowl in a Vauxhall Monaro at 150mph. I have experienced the adult ‘playground’ that is the tank shed at DA Shrivenham, been out with the Royal Marines in an Offshore Raiding Craft and travelled to Helen, Norway and Denmark. Being the Mechanical first person to chair a meeting in Engineer the briefing room of Burlington Nuclear Bunker was also a highlight!

WHAT YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE IN THE FUTURE

Ultimately I’d like to become a chartered engineer. Although it’s relatively early in my career, I have no intention to leave the MOD on completion of the graduate scheme as it is already providing me with a diverse range of experiences helping me on my way to chartership. In September, I will start an eight month course at HMS Sultan, where I hope to gain a more practical and in-depth experience of Marine Engineering with respect to the military.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE THINKING OF A CAREER IN THE MOD If you have ambition and initiative, go for it! The most important thing to remember is that the grad scheme is what you make it. Take the opportunities offered and if you think there’s something you want to do, but it isn’t currently offered – just ask! There’s so much on offer, and graduates are given a personal training budget to spend (within reason!), make the most of it! Talking to the people around you is often the best way to find out about what is available to you.

WORKLIFE WOMEN IN IT

WHERE ARE ALL THE WOMEN?

Past…present and future

SINCE THE 1980S THE IT SECTOR HAS SUFFERED FROM A LACK OF WOMEN ENTERING THE PROFESSION AND A DEARTH OF WOMEN IN HIGH PLACES. RIGHT FROM SCHOOL, IT IS OFTEN STILL SEEN AS A BOY’S DOMAIN. MAGGIE BERRY LOOKS AT SOME POSITIVE STRATEGIES FOR CHANGE An Intellect research report “Women in ITEC, International Comparative Research Phase One” – showed that women currently only make up 16% of the IT, electronics and communications workforce in the UK. As women constitute 46% of the UK’s working population, the figures point to a clear underrepresentation of women in the technology profession. The report also clearly indicates that this is a long-term phenomenon within the UK and that the percentage of women in ITEC jobs has changed little over the past five years; statistics ranged from 15% to 19% between 2001 and 2005. As the trade association for the UK hi-tech industry, Intellect is looking to create a strategy to ensure that more women will want to work and remain within the industry. Currently many of the women in the IT profession work in the less skilled and lower paid areas of the industry and it’s a frequently discussed issue that women do not break through the glass ceiling to reach senior positions. However, the discussion about the lack of women in the industry is not a new one. Professors Gillian Lovegrove and Wendy Hall published a paper in 1987 entitled “Where Are the Girls Now” which examined the reasons behind school-aged girls not choosing to study computer science at university in the 1980s.

These reasons included the facts that girls were not motivated to take computer science classes (making it less likely that they would embark on a career in computing), that gender stereotyping existed outside of school (especially in the family home) and that girls were less likely to experiment with a computer – as opposed to boys who were less afraid of the consequences of their incorrect actions. The Lovegrove/Hall paper recommended that careers advisors in schools should be made more aware of the opportunities for girls in computing and the IT industry. They also reported that many school-aged girls, their parents and careers advisors shared a commonly held opinion that computer science degrees were simply about programming and were for boys. Indeed, technology is still thought of as a male subject area. The lack of female role models within the industry means little has been achieved with regards to helping change girls’ attitudes about the nature of a career in IT. The Butcher Report for the DTI in 1985 highlighted the fact that IT companies could not afford to ignore the intellectual resources offered by women. In 2005, when Patricia Hewitt was Secretary of State for Trade and Industry and Minister for Women, she said: “It is a high priority to get more women to take up IT careers. When technology firms are forced to recruit from half of the available talent pool, it

is not surprising that there are skill shortages and jobs not being filled.” The same remains true today. So lets hope that over the next twenty years progress will be made in the perception of IT as an engaging career option for women and that females will be playing a more active and equal part in the IT profession in the 2020s.

Maggie Berry is the Director of womenintechnology.co.uk, an online job board and networking group for women working in the IT profession in the UK. womenintechnology.co.uk helps firms to raise their profile amongst female technologists in the UK – highlighting why they are an ideal place for a woman to have a successful technology career. In turn the job board enables female IT jobseekers to apply directly to organisations which are actively seeking more female staff. The website was launched in March 2005 and over the past three years they have built up an active network of over 3,000 technology professionals (backed up by a larger network of over 9,000 female technologists) who are committed to promoting women in the IT sector. Please go to www.womenintechnology.co.uk/ events for more information or contact Maggie Berry on mberry@women.co.uk or * 020 7422 9214 *

marine related HNDs or Degrees and a prosperous career as a qualified deck or engineering officer onboard its world leading fleet.

Advertorial - Maersk

To find out more simply visit our website:

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A day in the life From the watch tower

  I 

Or call our Recruitment Team on: 0191 269 2500

    

It takes concentration and skill to safely navigate a vessel and, for any seafarer, teamwork and tolerance are key. Women talks to Chief Officer Hannah Kite.

t can be great having regular “I’m always seven-week breaks from work, learning from but for Chief Officer Hannah the more Kite it also means seven weeks experienced far from home beforehand, working seafarers and, with colleagues day in and day out. “The long breaks off are fantastic, no matter but when you’re away you have to be No two days are the same for Hannah Kite. how long very tolerant and learn to work as a you’ve been          Having recently been promoted to six-hour watches in any 24 hours. team. Unlike office jobs, you can’t leave in the role, Chief Officer, Hannah has now also “This was a very challenging role, your colleagues behind at the end of the each voyage which could vary depending on what taken on the role of Ship Security day, so it’s important we immediately will bring Officer. Her additional duties include charter or ship you were on. And, learn to work together,” said Hannah. maintaining the stability of the ship and although no two days are the same When working in the supply fleet something taking charge of the deck, delegating when you’re out at sea, the tasks on as Second Officer, it was Hannah’s new.” the jobs needed to maintain the vessel board don’t really primary role to ensure the while  at sea.    change,” said safe navigation of the ship      “The ship runs 24-hours-a-day and Hannah. and this could mean two               change      my hours of watch depending  two      or  watches  four-hour on what the ship is doing, such as                       sailing or dry docking. The amount         of time we are actually at sea during             said    those seven weeks can also vary,”             Hannah.              “When chartering the North Sea in             it’s    winter, not unusual to spend several              days at a time in port because the         weather would make working     offshore    difficult and hazardous. But when    spend I can     through Angola,   chartering    most of the time at sea.”         Like any challenging role, every day       is a  learning curve and this is all the   a navigating more magnified when      vessel.          “I’m always learning from the           more experienced seafarers and, no matter  long  how      you’ve been in the role,        each voyage will bring   new,’ something said           Hannah.

                        

                                                             

excitement If you’re the kind of person who can’t stand looking at a lifetime of nine to fives then we have just the job for you Just the job for you.... Working for Maersk means you’re working for one of the world’s largest shipping fleets. And it’s definitely not 9 to 5. On our Officer Training Scheme, you’ll learn about practical seamanship, and also study for an internationally recognised qualification at a nautical college. For information on training opportunities go to

www.seacareers.co.uk

You’ll see the world, and get paid for it – we’ll even fund your studies. For more information on these exciting opportunities please visit our website, www.seacareers.co.uk or contact the recruitment team at GBRMMSREC@maersk.com

SAD DAYS GLAD DAYS Dr Nola Ishmael at preliminary training school, Whittington Hospital 1969.

Student Nurse in psychiatric unit, St Clement’s Hosptial, Bow c 1970. (Royal London Hospital Archives: SC/P/15)

THE NHS CELEBRATES 60 YEARS THIS YEAR. DR NOLA ISHMAEL OBE RECALLS HER DAYS WORKING AS A TRAINEE NURSE, DURING THE FORMATIVE YEARS OF THE NHS AND HERALDS THE LAUNCH OF MANY RIVERS TO CROSS...... “My journey to become a nurse started when one of my school friends Carmeta Catlin, wrote to me in Barbados and told me what a wonderful time she was having in England. She was at a hospital in Lancashire and her letters were vivid and my imagination was beyond control. So what was it like working in the NHS in the early days? As Junior nurses we needed to understand the theory of Nursing if we were to become proficient in the Practice of Nursing. We knew it was important to pass our exams and so we set up our own study groups in the sitting room of the Nurses’ Home. There wasn’t much TV to distract us then as programmes started at 6.00pm and finished well before midnight. We knew it was important to take photographs to send back home so

that our parents could show us off to the neighbours. We also knew that they would put our pictures in place of honour in the best room in the house and glow with pride on our progress. The same photographs which is now part of the official history of the NHS. As senior nurses our proudest moments were when we achieved status of staff nurse or better yet Ward Sister/Charge Nurse. Every promotion was studied and reviewed by our contemporaries. We had sad days and glad days - The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Cilla Black, the West Indian House Parties with the Blue Spot blaring! Our proud days came in stages – when we passed our exams and got a change of belt colour, epaulettes, bands or frills on our caps. In between it was a combination of excitement – learning new procedures, caring for our patients

FEATURE LOOK BACK AT THE NHS

“We knew it was important to take photographs to send back home so that our parents could show us off to the neighbours. We also knew that they would put our pictures in place of honour in the best room in the house and glow with pride on our progress. The same photographs which is now part of the official history of the NHS.” and speaking with relatives and having ourselves a good time. Our sad days were about watching peer group members and some newcomers move up the limited career ladder when we knew we could do it too. For some it was easier to move up than for others. When word of my promotion to Director of Nursing got out I got calls from far and near saying how proud they were of me and when I went to the Department of Health everyone I met had the widest smile and words of congratulations. Almost to a person they reminded me that I had done it for them. is important to know that LS.2It 6/3/07 3:02 pm Page 9

whether or not nurses, midwives or health visitors moved up the career slope many, many stayed on in the NHS and with that steadfastness was able to educate their children, buy their homes and follow a career that is not only prestigious but highly regarded. The debt the NHS owes to them is huge, tangible and undisputed. This publication Many Rivers to Cross is another landmark for NHS. Today another river has been crossed!”

Speech given by Dr Nola Ishmael OBE Launch of Many Rivers to Cross – Book Launch 2 April 2007. www.manyriverstocross.co.uk

Want to be a doctor, a podiatrist, a vet, a radiographer, a nurse, an orthotist??? There are degrees in the health professions for everyone. The Advice Clinic is the London Regional Project working to widen participation in the Health Professions. It is a partnership of 18 Higher Education Institutions and offers a range of activities to schools and FE colleges for students, for staff, and, for parents.

BIOGRAPHY

DR NOLA ISHMAEL OBE Dr Nola Ishmael was born in Barbados. She attended Black Bess Mixed School and the Community High School in Bridgetown. She left school aged 15 with O levels. In 1963, aged 20, she arrived in England by plane. She trained as a nurse, qualified at the Whittington Hospital, London, and took up a staff nursing post, working in a high-dependency ward. She became a night sister and in 1977 qualified as a health visitor. In 1987 she achieved the post of assistant director of nursing, subsequently becoming director of nursing in Greenwich. In 1995 she became the first black professional private secretary to the Chief Nurse of England. In 2000 she was awarded an OBE. She retired in 2003 but continues to work part-time at the Department of Health, mentoring and coaching the next generation of BME nurses.

At the Heart of the City...

… you'll find there's more than just accountants, bankers and lawyers!

Archivists……Ecologists……Planning Officers ……Policewomen…..Press Officers…….Tour Guides…

Through the individual partners the Project provides: Taster Courses Saturday Schools Masterclasses Information, Advice and Guidance

…. just a few of the thousands of people who work for the City of London Corporation. We provide local authority services and the Police Force for the historic “Square Mile” of the City …….but that's just for starters. Then there's the Barbican Arts Centre, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, Tower Bridge to name just a few. Sounds like we might have a role for you? Then check out our website: -

Check out our website on www.nobarriers2uni.org

www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/Corporation/about_us/job_opportunities.htm

Contact Claire Edden, Project Officer, the Advice Clinic, Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU TEL 020 7468 1235

The Corporation is committed to Equal Opportunities and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. A no smoking policy is in operation.

* *

THE LEADERSHIP JOURNEY Chief Constable Sara Thornton of Thames Valley Police officially took up the post on 1st April 2007 having been Acting Chief Constable since January 2006. Sara joined Thames Valley Police as the Assistant Chief Constable for Specialist Operations in November 2000 and was appointed Deputy Chief Constable in August 2003. She chairs the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Intelligence Portfolio and is a member of the ACPO Business Crime Area. She leads on the National Intelligence Model and was responsible for ensuring all forces complied with the model by April 2004. In 2006 she was awarded the Queens Police Medal. She is also a member of the Royal College of Defence Studies, a member of the Advisory Board for the Oxford University Centre for Criminology and an active alumnus of the Windsor Leadership Trust. She lives in Oxford and has two sons. What have been the most significant moments in your leadership journey (both positive and negative)? And what has been your greatest achievement? My first significant moment occurred three years into my time in the police service. When you join, it is very easy to conform and lose your own ideas. I was sent on a personal development course, which lasted for four months, and was for those identified as having the potential to go a long way. Here I realised that you must hold on to your ideas and be bold, have moral courage and dare to take risks; to have confidence I suppose. Ten years later, in 1999, I was working for the Metropolitan Police on the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. I was able to watch the pressure that the Commissioner was under and how he dealt with it, because although he hadn’t personally been involved, it was on his watch. I also learnt about the issues surrounding discrimination and disadvantage; it was when I * really became aware of the reality

“I lead 8000 people including police officers, volunteers and administration staff. My main challenge is having the direction and control of something that operates 24/7, where the potential for something to go wrong is massive, but the potential for something to go to right is also massive. Risky issues are dealt with everyday, so if you add up all the risks you are running it proves to be a very high risk job.”

Sara Thornton, Chief Constable, Thames Valley: Leading 8000 people

of racism and the importance of understanding diversity. Finally, the moments when I have to take command are significant when I have to make difficult and tough decisions. It is often not about right or wrong choices, but right and right choices, or wrong and wrong choices. You have to choose the least worst option. My greatest achievement is not what I achieve but what the people who work for me achieve. For example, last October the force got the highest performance record they have ever received, which is a great achievement for my force, and therefore for me. What was the best leadership advice you were given as you progressed through your career? You shouldn’t concentrate on growing your career, you should concentrate on growing the organisation, similar to Jim Collins idea of level five leaders. I realised that it is very important to have the right people around you because it is as much about your team as it is about you. What do you know now that you wish you’d known 15 years ago? I wish I’d known about the frailties of senior leaders. I used to be in awe of them, but now I know that they are just normal people.

What does your current role entail with respects to leadership? i.e. how many people do you lead, what challenges do you face, what decisions do you have to make? I lead 8000 people including police officers, volunteers and administration staff. My main challenge is having the direction and control of something that operates 24/7, where the potential for something to go wrong is massive, but the potential for something to go to right is also massive. Risky issues are dealt with everyday, so if you add up all the risks you are running it proves to be a very high risk job. My role as Chief Constable is to work on strategy but I am also accountable for the direction and control of the force. I appoint the senior leaders in the force, ensuring I have the correct people around me and this is very important. What would you like to be your lasting legacy of leadership that will continue once you have left this role? I hope to leave leaders who are confident in the way they respond to the public. In order to be more responsive they will need to understand diversity, including gender and minority groups. Within the next five years I hope the force will be more responsive with a different feel around service delivery. I would also

like to leave a diverse team of leaders in place. What are your three golden rules of leadership? 1. Have lots of energy. The best leaders are energetic.

WORKLIFE UNIFORMED SERVICES - POLICE

Who is the leader you admire most and why? I admire Nelson Mandela for his graciousness, energy over a long time, his engagement and his team work.

Have you found it difficult to progress in your career as a result of your gender? And do 2. Be engaged. You must know what you feel it has become easier for is going on within the lower levels women to take on leadership of the organisation, although if you roles? as the boss know more than the There was a time when women manager, there is a problem. weren’t given truncheons. As time progressed they were given very small 3. A team needs each other. It is ones to fit in their handbags! There important that a leader performs well for their team. ‘Standing on shoulders couldn’t be two women in a police car together, a male police officer of giants’. would have to accompany a female. There was a form of discrimination What makes an effective in the way that the police service leader? operated. I have witnessed changes Effective leaders don’t worry about throughout my career, nowadays it their own ambition. They focus on This interview is is easier for women to achieve in the where they are now. They must enjoy provided courtesy police. their jobs to be effective as if don’t of The Windsor Being part of a minority of like what they are doing they will Leadership Trust female Chief Constables in a male not perform to their maximum. They T: +44 (0)1753 dominated organisation I am very should concentrate on what they 272056 visible. Chief Officers from other are delivering at the moment. And F: +44 (0)870 forces will know me, but I won’t of course they should adhere to my 487 8427 three golden rules of leadership; have necessarily know them. This is great enquiries@ when it comes to networking, but lots of energy, be engaged with their windsorleader ad for international womans 26/2/08 12:16 Page shiptrust.org.uk 1 if something1 goes wrong then it staff and perform well for their team.month:Layout

isn’t, it’s the case of visibility and vulnerability. One problem is that the concept of leadership can tend to be male. While men tend to be more assertive in their careers, women are often less so, therefore they maybe don’t go for what they want and ultimately avoid the leadership position. For example, when looking at a job description a woman may think ‘I’ve only got 8 out of the 10 criteria required for the post’ and not apply, while a man will see he only has 7 but will still apply. What have you taken from your time with the Windsor Leadership Trust that has helped you develop in your leadership position? The Trust has given me many things including: • Access to ideas about leadership • Contact with people from radically different backgrounds • Support networks • Encouragement from the success of others who have connections with the Trust.

www.northumbria.police.uk

Everyone can be part of Northumbria Police

There could be a role for you in Northumbria Police, no matter who you are or where you come from. We are the sixth largest police force in the country but you don’t have to be a police officer to work for us. We employ 6,000 people, 1,500 of them police staff working in a range of vital roles supporting police officers in the fight against crime. We welcome applicants of all ages, abilities and backgrounds and can offer numerous opportunities for personal career development.

For current vacancies visit our website at

www.northumbria.police.uk * *

WORKLIFE UNIFORMED SERVICES POLICE

THE ROLE OF WOMEN OFFICERS TODAY

West Midlands Police shows where the opportunities are for women police today. Equal opportunities are an integral part of West Midlands Police policy. All roles are open to women. There are 2,137 female officers representing 23.75 per cent of the total force strength and 2,573 female police staff. Women officers are encouraged to apply for posts in areas where they are currently under-represented, e.g., the Operational Support Unit and the Firearms Operations Unit, although all departments have female members. West Midlands Police is proud of all those initiatives which may favourably affect the working conditions of female staff, and in

the process also enhance the facilities available to our male personnel. Two members of our force were part of the executive group which wrote the Gender Agenda, a common agenda of the issues affecting the ability of women to achieve within the Service. This group represented the British Association of Women Police, Action E, the Senior Women Officers’ Conference, the Police Federation, the Association of Chief Police Officers’ Women’s Group, the Metropolitan Association of Senior Women Officers, and the European Network of Policewomen. The initiatives we have introduced include: Flexible working - The force is fully supportive of flexible working and will try, wherever possible to accommodate requests. Everyone, male or female, police or support staff, is entitled to apply to work part time or flexible hours. Help for pregnant women - female staff are taken off confrontational duties when they become pregnant. A number of risk

assessments have been undertaken to ensure their safety in the role they undertake.

FIRST CONTACT ADVISORS

Harassment in the workplace is an unwanted feature of some organisations and females may be vulnerable to sexual harassment. Research has shown that victims do not always seek help through formal grievance procedures for a variety of reasons. In an attempt to provide support and help for any member of staff who feels they are being harassed, West Midlands Police have set up a team of ‘skilled helpers’ called first contact advisors. This is a network of police and civilian staff trained to give confidential help, advice and support. Any action taken as a result of consulting an advisor will only be at the request of the complainant and no pressure is placed on any member of staff to act against their wishes.

For more information see www.west-midlands.police.uk/ our-people/women.asp#role

PICTURES FROM

the past

The Railway Police formed 3 years before the Metropolitan Police in 1829. But it lost much of its workforce to the services during the Great War (Over 54% of the Midland Railway Police joinedup) and Special Constables and Policewomen were recruited for the first time. In 1916 the Great Eastern Railway recruited several women to work at Liverpool Street Station. This was followed in 1917 by the North Eastern Railway Police recruiting a whole section of women.

A British Transport Commission Policewoman at Glasgow Central Station

Possibly the first group photographs of policewomen ever taken

(PW Betty Marshall) Sergeant Betty Marshall at Waterloo Station 1960s

Advertorial

West Midlands Police Developing female talent As the second largest force in the country, West Midlands Police serves a population of approximately 2.5 million, covering an area of 348 square miles. Based in the heart of the country, the force covers seven local authorities – Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull, Walsall, Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton. The force comprises over 8,400 police officers, 700 PCSOs, 800 Special Constables and 4,000 police staff who support police officers in more than 400 non-uniformed roles. The force aims to ensure that it recruits and retains a diverse workforce which reflects the communities it serves, and is a leader in the field of equality and diversity. The West Midlands Association of Women in Policing has been developed to ensure continuous professional development of all staff and officers, concentrating on the female perspective. The force is listed in The Times Top 50 places ‘Where Women Want to Work’, and

as one of the country’s top employers for gay and lesbian staff in Stonewall’s Corporate Equality Index. Awards have also been won in the fields of race and disability equality. Chief Constable Sir Paul ScottLee’s vision for the force is “to reduce crime and disorder, and make our communities feel safer”. The force endeavours deliver this vision by building trust and confidence with communities, providing equality of opportunity both for the people that work for us, and our local communities, to ensure that our services and policies are applied fairly and equally. To find out more, visit www.west-midlands.police.uk

Railway Policewomen at Victoria

Part of the team Part of the community

West Midlands Police Force currently comprises over 8,400 Police Officers, 700 PCSOs, 800 Special Constables, and 4,000 Police Staff in non-uniform jobs.

For more information Visit our award winning website: www.west-midlands.police.uk/recruitment. You can also listen to the latest Staff vacancies by calling our Recruitment Jobline on 0121 626 5500. West Midlands Police has a positive equal opportunities policy to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly. We welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, race, religion/belief, gender, sexual orientation or marital status. If you have a disability and you meet the essential job requirements, you will be short listed for inclusion in the recruitment process. All roles are eligible for part time hours.

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BREAKING THE STEREOTYPES

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE PART OF A PROFESSION WHERE YOU CAN PUT YOUR LIFE SKILLS INTO ACTION EVERY DAY? WHERE YOU’RE PART OF A CLOSE, FRIENDLY TEAM? WHERE THE PROSPECTS ARE GOOD FOR EVERYONE? AND WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE? WHY NOT START A NEW LIFE – AND SAVE SOMEONE ELSE’S. The Fire and Rescue Service is welcoming and inclusive. Whatever your background, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation you’ll be treated with equal respect. Perhaps that’s what makes the Fire and Rescue Service such an enjoyable and rewarding place to work. Our work is about making communities safer – protecting people from fire, and other hazards, in the most effective way possible. You might think our job is just about climbing ladders and putting out fires. Now it’s much more about being proactive and focusing on fire prevention. This kind of work requires a special mix of skills and talents: Communicating – listening to our communities and spreading the fire safety message. Understanding – and meeting the needs of our communities. Mention firefighting and most people think of the same old ‘firemen’ stereotypes. But look closely and you’ll see that there’s much more to the service than that. Using initiative to spot potential risks and take steps to tackle them before they develop. For example,* you could be

working with construction companies and architects to design fire safety into new buildings. Or you could be talking to businesses and informing them of their responsibilities. Working with communities is one of the most rewarding elements of working in the Fire and Rescue Service. Every day you get to meet new people and face new challenges. It’s all of this work that makes being a firefighter one of the most respected jobs in the community. Working in the community is exciting and always varied – every day could bring something different: new people, new situations, new challenges. Here are just some of the ways you could be involved: • Touring residential homes and flats and checking for smoke detectors, fire risks and working with residents to keep them as safe as possible. • Visiting schools and teaching children how fires start, how to reduce the risk and what to do in an emergency. • Going to community buildings such as youth clubs, churches, temples and mosques to discuss community safety issues. • Advising the elderly about safety in

their homes. •V isiting businesses and conducting safety assessments of interiors and exteriors. This can also mean checking that businesses conduct regular fire evacuations, and that staff are prepared and know how to use fire extinguishers. •W orking with industry particularly those that use chemicals or equipment that might be hazardous. Ensuring employees understand the risks and know what to do in the event of a fire. Anyone 18 or over can apply to become a firefighter. However, we are looking for very special people with special skills and abilities. Firefighters are women and men from all walks of life. Some come straight from school or college; others have university degrees, postgraduate qualifications, or may be trained at a particular profession. Everyone is given the right training and development, tailored for them in their specific role. Much of the job involves working with the public. This means you need good communication skills whether you’re visiting peoples’ homes to provide fire advice, dealing with an emergency or

“In the Fire and Rescue Service we pride ourselves on being in close contact with our communities and today’s everchanging society.”

WORKLIFE UNIFORMED SERVICES - FIRE AND RESCUE

“The Fire and Rescue Service is welcoming and inclusive. Whatever your background, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation you’ll be treated with equal respect.” organising a team. You need to be able to listen to people, empathise and make yourself understood. In some instances you may have to deal firmly, but politely, with people getting in the way of rescue work or at the scene of an emergency. Firefighters don’t have to be big and burly. There are a range of activities within the Fire and Rescue Service for all different types of people. For some roles you may need good fitness levels. You need composure and understanding to be a front-line firefighter. You may need to react quickly in a crisis, or communicate vital information with clarity. The public think ‘firemen’ and all the same old stereotypes just fall into place. As long as you can do the job, we want you. Finally, you need to enjoy working as part of a team. Much of your job will involve working together, which means being considerate, resourceful, innovative and decisive. At times you may need to accept directions, on other occasions you’ll be asked for your views and input.

THE PEOPLE

In the Fire and Rescue Service we pride ourselves on being in close

contact with our communities and today’s ever-changing society. Maintaining this contact means having the right people; people who reflect the diverse make-up of the UK, people who can build relationships across communities, people with life experience, with ideas and initiative. Perhaps you’re a recent graduate looking for an exciting challenge. Or you may have been working for many years in a profession such as teaching, medicine or law and are now looking for a change of direction. Why not consider moving to the Fire and Rescue Service?

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The Fire and Rescue Service is an equal opportunities employer. We encourage diversity in every aspect of our work. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applicants from all sections of society irrespective of gender, ethnicity, religious belief, marital status or sexuality.

CASE STUDY: DANY COTTON Dany Cotton is Assistant Divisional Officer and Station Commander at Lee Green in South London She runs the station, is responsible for training, day to day problem solving and, when needed, joins Fire and Rescue Crews in action. She’s been a fire fighter for 16 years and has seen a lot of changes. “Women bring different skills to the Fire and Rescue Service in all sorts of ways. We communicate differently and have a different approach to problem solving. That’s very useful at times – whether it’s talking to people and listening during an emergency or just working with the team around the station. Fighting fires is just a small percentage of the work we do – but the rest is equally rewarding. When I joined, female firefighters were rare, but now we’re making a growing contribution. It’s a fantastic career if you’re good with people and enjoy making a difference. As a uniformed officer, I do need to be fit – but with equipment improving all the time, strength isn’t a major issue. “I loved the training from the moment I got there. I’d never got so fit, and it was a real challenge – everything was completely new.” If you are interested in joining the Fire and Rescue Service see www.fireservicecollege.ac.uk * *

Essex County Fire & Rescue Service

MAKING YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE JOIN THE FIRE SERVICE At Essex County Fire & Rescue Service, we want our organisation to be as Diverse as the community it serves. Everyone has a contribution to make regardless of their background. And there is something else you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great place to build a career. We offer all our employees a challenging and rewarding work environment, whether you choose to be a firefighter, engineer Craftsperson, HR professional, Control operator, Logistics Support worker or one of our many behind the scenes roles, we value all our employees.

To find out more: Visit www.essex-fire.gov.uk Contact: Human Resources: 01277 222 531 Ext 2358/2281 and speak to Shamrika Sydes or Jayne Dando.

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Essex County Fire and Rescue A career that suits everybody Joanne Scully - Fire Fighter

Helen Mason Principal Fire Control Officer of Essex Fire and Rescue Service At the age of 18, my qualification in the creative art of wig making, resulted in the possibility of being an apprentice wigmaker for Madame Tussauds. After two years at college, I felt that an apprenticeship, where the pay was less than the train fare to London, would best be taken up with some finance behind me. I got a temporary job for 9 months with Essex Fire Brigade Control. Coming from a fire service family, I thought this would be a very enjoyable way to finance my apprenticeship. I never met the film and rock stars via my exciting job at Madame Tussauds as 25 years later I am the Officer in charge of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service 999 Control room. Throughout my career I have worked at every level within the emergency call handling control room of Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, where every day is different and job satisfaction is high. Taking emergency calls, supporting the public, sending fire engines to incidents, liaising with other services, carrying out radio operations and helping fire crews, is a superb way to earn a living. Throughout these 25 years I also got married, moved to Suffolk, had 4 children, fought skin cancer, and successfully passed a Master of Arts degree in Management Studies, which was funded by the Fire Service. As my husband is a fire-fighter, we have had to juggle 2 different shift patterns, child care, school trips, after school clubs, shopping, cooking, washing, ironing and cleaning, with the precision of a military operation. I received a Chief Fire Officers commendation in 2007, awarded for remaining on the telephone and giving life saving advice to a woman who was trapped in a room which was filling with smoke. She was successfully rescued by fire crews after myself and my colleagues directed the fire-fighters to her exact location as quickly as possible. I have enjoyed every post that I have held, ranging from emergency fire control operator, trainer, supervisor and officer in charge of a watch of 10 personnel. My current post

involves the difficult challenge of managing 50 people through a fast moving modernisation process, where considerable change and improved performance is required, against the background of closure of the Control room in 3 years time. A new regional control centre based in Cambridgeshire takes over the mobilisation of all fire appliances for East Anglia in 2011. The recruitment advertising and selection process, quality and speed of emergency call handling, quality management, training processes, absence management and business continuity processes , have been modernised significantly over the last two years by myself and my colleagues on the ECFRS Control Management Team. Whilst I have sadly almost reached a major junction in my career, the experience that I have gained, working with such professional colleagues and managing in very difficult circumstances, will hopefully enable me to continue to work in a fulfilling career which satisfies my need to make a difference in the future. Whilst I manage a predominantly female department, I work with managers within the fire service who are almost all male, which is in line with my domestic situation, being married and the mother of 4 boys and a male dog! Whilst I have been very lucky to have such a rewarding career, raising our family and seeing our 4 sons grow has been the greatest reward of all.

My name is Joanna Scully, a Female fire fighter working for Essex County Fire & Rescue. I joined the Fire Service in 2003 after working in a bank for 3 years. After completing my initial 16 week training course, learning the skills to be a fire fighter, I was posted to Leigh on Sea fire station. Following 18 months there I transferred to Basildon Fire Station. From there I moved to my current post, a secondment to Service Headquarters were I am working as part of the youth team, as a temporary sub officer. My role involves going out around the county and running our Firebreak scheme, part of an outreach project working with disaffected youths aged 13-17 within Essex. I recently became the operational Representative in Essex for the NWFS (Networking Women in the Fire Service), a group set up to support all females in the fire service. I have found this group to be of great value. One of the great advantages of the Fire Service is that it is up to the individual what progression they want. The opportunities are there for everyone. I am currently undertaking part in the ADCs to move on to being a crew manager and have been offered plenty of training opportunities to achieve this goal. Most recently I took part in a CMMI (crew managers managing incidents) over 5 days. This involved practically work running 1 and 2 pumps incidents, whilst being assessed.

Shelly Hull Fire Safety Officer Previous to joining Essex County Fire & Rescue Service I worked for a private hospital, as a Medical Records Officer. Also within my role I organised in-patient booking forms for pre admissions. I heard about the position of an Education officer within ECFRS to deliver Fire Safety programmes within schools across the county. This seemed very appealing to me. I have been with ECFR for nearly two years and have found my position most challenging and rewarding. I am profoundly deaf, although I do wear a hearing aid, and was anxious at first as to how I would cope with the teaching. ECFR have been very supportive supplying me with equipment to help me with my teaching. I work within a team of five people, who also deliver fire safety programmes. I work within the classroom teaching up to a maximum of 40 pupils at one time. I use a variety of resources, and activities to make the lesson both informing and interesting. Knowing that I am helping to educate children to make a safer environment within our county is what I would call job satisfaction. Since joining ECFR I have been fortunate to be involved with Networking for Women in making new friends, building my confidence and have even had the chance of delivering Deaf * the Awareness talks. I feel working at ECFR has definitely been right move for me. *

WORKLIFE UNIFORMED SERVICES ARMED FORCES

“Some West Indians had answered the call to the Mother Country and were being interviewed. The Army had turned them down flat, but the RAF had accepted them. I couldn’t believe my ears.”

MY LIFE IN THEforces Force Institutes). “The NAAFI wanted girls. Here was my chance to get away from domestic service. I applied, filled in a form and went for an interview to Catterick Camp. “On seeing me, the interviewer said ‘You did not say you were er, er,….’ I looked her in the eye and retorted ‘My form shows that my father was from Jamaica. It is our oldest Crown Colony’. A little taken aback the woman backed down and as educationally there were no handicaps, duly took me on.” Lilian had worked at Catterick Camp for seven week when: “I was called into the office by the District Manager. Very apologetic, he explained tome that Head Office had ordered him to dismiss Lilian Bader - Photograph courtesy me; my father had not been of the Imperial War Museum born in the UK. Apparently, he had received this order several weeks before, but had argued the toss about it: I think he was Irish, possibly Roman Catholic like myself, and felt some sympathy…. It was the end of November 1939 and I returned to Thirsk and stayed with friends.” After that, Lilian helped on a farm and at the beginning of 1940 returned to her old employer. Lilian became frustrated by her lack of a proper job to help the war effort with Britain in such dire straits in 1940, but attempts to rejoin the NAAFI were unsuccessful. “My dilemma was always the same; like an ex-con, I debated whether to say I was coloured and receive no answer, or keep mum and just turn up.” I used to listen to the radio and one day I had a very pleasant surprise. Some West Indians had answered the call to the Mother Country and were being interviewed. The Army had turned them down flat, but the RAF had accepted them. I couldn’t believe my ears. There had been some debate in the papers about height requirements and once I had checked – I am 5ft 1in – I

Lilian Bader (née Bailey) was born of a West Indian father and an English mother but was orphaned at the age of nine. Separated from her two elder brothers, she was brought up in a convent. Most of the girls were trained for domestic service. The convent was concerned that Lilian would have difficulty in finding employment because of her colour, so she stayed on longer than usual and did not leave until she was twenty. When war broke out the family moved to Wales, Lilian was out of a job. She applied for a position with the NAAFI (Navy, Army and Air

determined to try again. “So, I arrived at the station dressed in a neat costume, gas mask slung over my shoulder. With other prospective recruits I was checked by a hefty WAAF [Women’s Auxiliary Air Force] sergeant. “We were a motley crew: women of all shapes and sizes, and judging from our dress, makeup and general demeanour, from all walks of life. The patient sergeant succeeded in forming us into some semblance of order before giving us the order to march. Self-conscious in our new role we picked up our bags and proudly marched out of step, out of the station, and on through the streets of Harrogate.” Lilian was given the chance to train to become an Instrument Repairer II. After passing the course ‘First Class’, she was sent to an airfield in Shropshire and worked on light bombers, Air Speed Oxfords. Lilian became a Leading Aircraftwoman and later gained the rank of Acting Corporal.“In our section there were then about eight of us women and after their initial surprise and curiosity the men grew accustomed to us and we all settled down to the daily grind. I loved my work.” She met her husband Ramsay Bader through her ex-landlady in Yorkshire, and they married in 1943. “It was a relief to meet a coloured boyfriend for a change. I had met no other coloured WAAFs, and only seen an Indian RAF officer and one coloured airman who appeared fleetingly at Condover.” Lilian carried on her work as an Instrument Repairer, having to turn down the opportunity for further promotion when she became pregnant in 1944. She was discharged on compassionate grounds in February 1944.

A full account of life in the WAAF by Lilian Bader, written in 1988, and an interview recorded by the Imperial War Museum Sound Archive can be found in the ‘Together’ education pack, available from the Imperial War Museum Shop.

TURN your talent TO TEACHING *

GRAHAM HOLLEY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF TDA (TEACHER TRAINING DEVELOPMENT AGENCY) “Teaching has changed enormously over the past decade. The contribution of support staff ensures that teachers have more time to focus on teaching itself. And new professional standards mean teachers have a clear career pathway to develop their skills and grow into a management role faster than ever.”

WORKLIFE TEACH UK

In today’s job market, every sector is fighting for quality candidates. But teaching stands out as one of the few professions where jobseekers can have the best of both worlds – a job that’s rewarding and intellectually challenging backed up by fast career development. And it seems the public agree. In a recent survey of Britain’s most talented professions, teaching was ranked second. Teachers’ motivational, creative and inspirational skills were recognised alongside their leadership abilities. This highlights an important shift in the status of the teaching profession in public opinion and helps us promote the profession and fill training places with high quality candidates. But we are competing hard with other graduate professions to attract the best candidates. With this in mind, we have refreshed our advertising campaign to ensure that it continues to have maximum impact on our target audience. The campaign aims to bring the talents of teachers to life. As well as students, the campaign aims to target graduates working in other jobs. We are particularly focusing on those with a maths or science Graham Holley, Chief Executive background, of TDA (Teacher Training to encourage Development Agency) them to consider switching their plans or careers to train to become a teacher. We also aim to recruit more people from minority ethnic backgrounds and to address the gender balance in primary schools to ensure the teaching workforce is representative of the communities it serves. Teaching has changed enormously over the past decade. The contribution of support staff ensures that teachers have more time to focus on teaching itself. And new professional standards mean teachers have a clear career pathway to develop their skills and grow into a management role faster than ever. The new campaign gives us the opportunity to emphasise that teaching is a desirable career, offering a stimulating working environment with excellent development opportunities. Some of the best teachers aren’t teaching yet and we’re doing all we can to help encourage people to turn their talent to teaching.

Graham Holley Chief Executive of TDA (Teacher Training Development Agency)

* *

WORKLIFE TEACH UK PROFILES

PROFILE: LAUNGUAGE TEACHER NAME: CATHERINE WILSON, 26

BECOMING A TEACHER GET INTO TEACHING

TITLE: SECONDARY FRENCH AND SPANISH TEACHER SCHOOL: FITZWIMARC SCHOOL, ESSEX

TEACHING IS AN IMPORTANT AND INCREASINGLY POPULAR CHOICE OF CAREER FOR ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE. WHATEVER YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES – IF YOU’RE ABOUT TO GRADUATE, OR LOOKING FOR A CHANGE OF DIRECTION – THERE ARE MORE WAYS TO ENTER THE PROFESSION THAN EVER BEFORE. HERE ARE REAL LIFE STORIES OF TEACHERS AT WORK...

PROFILE: SECONDARY MATHS TEACHER NAME: MERYKA WYMAN TITLE: SECONDARY MATHS TEACHER SCHOOL: HAYDON SCHOOL, LONDON EDUCATION: BSC PSYCHOLOGY COMPLETED A PGCE DURING 2004/05 Before training as a teacher, Meryka previously worked with ex-convicts, at a museum and as an interior design assistant. After all these roles she was looking for something more sociable – a challenge offering something different every day. She is now in her first teaching job. Why did you choose to teach mathematics? Very few children say maths is their favourite topic. The curriculum can be a bit bland and lends itself more towards rote learning whereas a lot of the other subjects encourage students to think for themselves. I like to think I bring a new approach and good ideas on how to learn maths from different angles. Are you ever surprised by the students’ reaction to your subject? Yes, sometimes completely shocked. We had a national maths challenge which I gave to the students over the Easter break. It wasn’t homework; it was a challenge for them to do in their holiday if they wanted to. What really surprised me was that a lot of *

the students who are not usually great in class or at doing their homework came back with some really strong work. I saw students who are normally under-achievers really shine, and it was great. How have you found life as a teacher so far? It’s a good laugh and a lot of hard work. You have to be really organised – if you’re not, don’t even contemplate becoming a teacher! You have to have a strong will and the resilience to keep going. It’s not a job where you can put on a front or spend your day trading small talk about what you did the night before. It brings out who you really are. Do you often have to think on your feet in class? We use ICT to a great extent – I love it – but should a PowerPoint presentation somehow disappear, then you have to use your head. In these cases I’ll usually get the class to do the work for me! You turn it around and ask them, “How do you think this should work? How do you think you do it?” and get them to think on their feet. It’s actually a really good way to help them learn. By thinking things through they learn to understand the process and remember more information. What is the best thing about the job? It’s when you get students to understand something for the first time – when you see them struggle with something and then they get it. Or you see them remember something you’ve taught them. Seeing this far outweighs all the challenging times.

EDUCATION: BA FRENCH AND SPANISH COMPLETED A PGCE DURING 2003/04 Catherine completed her PGCE with the Open University over one and a half years while she was, coincidentally, working with the Teacher Training Agency (as it was known before becoming the TDA). Do you find yourself having to use your head, like the recent Teaching adverts suggest? Yes, because teaching is so unpredictable – you have to respond to all sorts at the drop of a hat. You can’t think that just because a particular lesson went well yesterday, it’ll be the same today. How a lesson goes depends on so many different things, like if they’ve had a can of fizzy drink or not enough sleep, or if someone’s away, or it’s a hot day, or if they’ve just had PE. You can plan for certain eventualities but you’ll never be able to predict everything. What’s your relationship like with your students? It depends on the class; you can’t have the same relationship with them all. One might need a tight rein while another will always do as they’re asked the first time you ask them. You get the odd character and some low-level disruptive behaviour – laziness, answering back, that sort of thing – so it’s important to set boundaries and stick to them; otherwise you’ll lose respect. How else do you gain their respect? Without coming across as incompetent, it’s good to let them see that you don’t know everything. They sometimes ask questions you don’t know the answers to, to which I’ll normally say, “I don’t know, you’ll have to find out for me.” Actually, the other day my Spanish class asked for the Spanish word for bungee jumping, which I didn’t know. I ended up having to ask the Spanish assistant to tell them. What sorts of things do you do in your lessons? It depends which topic we’re covering. I recently organised my Year 9 Spanish class into groups to write a play that had to cover certain topics – shops, food and drink – but other than that could go in any direction they liked. They got really creative, bringing in their own props and costumes. One play had the characters going to a theme park for a birthday party, for which they needed to buy a present. All sorts of things were going on. In the end they decided to buy a purple donkey for their friend! And all this was in Spanish!

Kent offers teachers a wide range of experiences and an opportunity to work in a varied and exciting environment.To learn more about teaching careers in Kent, visit www.kent-teach.com www.kent.gov.uk/jobs

PROFILE: STUDENT NAME: TALENT DE SOUSA, 27 CURRENTLY: CURRENTLY COMPLETING A TWO-YEAR BSC MATHS AND SCIENCE WITH QTS AT UNIVERSITY OF WALES NEWPORT EDUCATION: DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION FROM UNIVERSITY OF ZIMBABWE Talent worked for two years as a teacher in Zimbabwe before moving to the UK. She is now re-training to teach mathematics at secondary level, completing her course and school placements in Wales. How are you finding teacher training in the UK? There’s lots of variety working as a teacher here, but at the moment it’s hard work. I went to school and trained in Zimbabwe, so I’ve also got to learn about the British teaching system which, alongside my degree course, means there’s a lot for me to do. Teaching and doing a course at the same time is a real challenge but I’ve survived the first year and am looking forward to the second, when I’ll have the chance to do more teaching - about 80 per cent of the time. What do you enjoy most about teaching mathematics? I really enjoy teaching the mechanics side of maths because you can relate it to everyday life. It’s the maths behind things moving, so you can see it happening all around you. You need to prepare the lesson well and have enough examples for the children to see it visually. By seeing it in practice they’ll know and understand it. This makes it easier to teach because you can illustrate and demonstrate it and make it relevant to them. With something like differentiation the students will ask why they need to know it, but with mechanics they can see why it’s useful straight away. What do you like about teaching in general? It is so fulfilling. When you get a child saying, ‘Oh I get it!’ it’s a great feeling. You might have been working on teaching that one thing for two weeks, so it feels great. It gives you a real sense of achievement. I don’t stop teaching something until the children understand. Is it important to get to know individual students personally? Yes, your relationship is not about, ‘I’m teaching, you’re learning,’ because that doesn’t work; it needs to be a two-way thing. I want to hear about what they’ve done at the weekend and if I’ve done something interesting I’ll tell them as well. This helps to bring out their personalities. That way you can start to recognise if they have a problem or if something’s up. If they’re not performing to their usual standard or they’re not behaving as they normally would, you can see where that might be coming from and how you can deal with it. *

NEW TEACHER? HERE’S A GUIDE TO HOW TO FORM (AND MAINTAIN) GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH COLLEAGUES AND MANAGE THE CULTURE OF THE STAFFROOM. Relationships with colleagues have a huge impact on our working lives. The staffroom is more than just a place for tea and biscuits - here, you will make friends and get to know your school. The relationships you form with staff, students, parents and governors can make all the difference in the early stages of your career.

STARTING OUT

As a new teacher, you are trying to make a good impression, understand the school culture and work out who’s who. These are a few points to help with this: Take your time: you don’t have to suss everyone out. Beware of being isolated within a department which may stop you forming other helpful relationships, notably with other new teachers. If you do notice cliques, try to stay neutral. It is important not to get drawn into internal disputes. Try not to allow your enthusiasm to be dampened by others’ negativity – you need to retain positive energy for your teaching. Help others when you can: people will respect someone they can rely on and will be more likely to return the favour. At break time, it is worth observing the ‘staffroom etiquette’. For example, be careful not to use someone else’s mug or sit in someone’s ‘special’ chair. This sounds trivial but could help you to avoid getting off to a bad start with your colleagues. Well-established staff can sometimes feel threatened by change or new ideas. Acknowledge the skills and expertise of your more experienced colleagues, but don’t forget that your view matters. Have the confidence to voice your ideas and suggest improvements – but remember to tread carefully. In your first term, you not only need to get to know your colleagues but also the complex network of relationships that exists in the school. Help and guidance may come from unexpected sources. Working out how the staff relate to each other is invaluable, especially the relationships between teaching and support staff. 4

“You will need to tread carefully when commenting on the teaching of other staff. A general rule of thumb when starting anywhere new is to listen, learn and develop relationships. You will need to learn about the culture of the staffroom.”

WORKLIFE TEACH UK

THE NEW “Girl”IN CLASS WORKING WITH SUPPORT STAFF

Teaching assistants, administrative and other support staff have a crucial role to play in the successful running of a school. They should be able to provide information about the culture and organisation of your school and provide invaluable support for your teaching, so it is really important that you build good relationships with them. Building positive working relationships with colleagues takes time and effort. However hard you try, it isn’t always possible to get along with everyone you work with and there may be times when you don’t see eye to eye. Try to involve teaching assistants in as much planning, preparation and assessment as possible – this will demonstrate that you value their support. You do need to be aware of the different but complementary roles that you and support staff will play in the classroom and in the school; remember, as teacher, the responsibility for what happens with the classroom is ultimately yours.

COMMENTING ON THE TEACHING OF OTHER STAFF

You will need to tread carefully when commenting on the teaching of other staff. A general rule of thumb when starting anywhere new is to listen, learn and develop relationships. You will need to learn about the culture of the staffroom; does the school embrace peer observation and feedback or is it very hierarchical with a clear pecking order (in which you, as the new teacher, are at the bottom!)?

COMMUNICATING WITH THE SENIOR MANAGERS

How much contact you have with senior management team (SMT) members may depend on the type (eg. size, culture) of school in which you are teaching. It is important that you learn the structures and accepted routes of communication within your school. If you are in a very hierarchical establishment, then you may need to communicate everything through your immediate line manager.

BEING A TEAM-MEMBER

Teaching is becoming increasingly about working in teams; teams within classrooms, teams within departments, teams across departments. When working in teams, it is vital to be clear about the roles of all members and particularly, your own. As a new team member, you will need to learn about the others within the team, their roles, previously established methods of working and any review practices.

CONCERNS REGARDING FELLOW COLLEAGUES

There may be times when you have a concern regarding

the performance or professionalism of a colleague. You must proceed with great caution; any workplace has a complex network of relationships and knowledge of these and of relevant policies/procedures is vital before you take action. You do have a duty of care for your pupils and a responsibility for their education and wellbeing and this needs to be considered also in your decision. Bearing in mind the established friendships and relationships within your school; it may be worthwhile to talk to a more experienced colleague you trust to ask their advice. You can also get good advice and support from ATL, through your school rep or ATL branch secretary, who combine knowledge of the procedures which are likely to be relevant along with an understanding of the kind of issues you are facing.

Information provided courtesy of Association of Teachers and Lecturers, 7 Northumberland Street, London, WC2N 5RD. T: 020 7930 6441 E: info@atl.org.uk www.new2teaching.org.uk

Back to school! Become a School Governor and make a difference School Governors are critical to the effective running of local schools, and with approximately 40,000 vacancies across the country at any one time, this rewarding role provides you with an excellent opportunity to make an enormous difference to childrens education and your community. As a governor you would be part of a team. The governing body has a range of important responsibilities including allocating budgets, appointing senior staff, making decisions on the school’s policies and direction, acting as a “critical friend” to the Head Teacher and essentially ensuring pupils are getting the best education possible. Training is available. Governors are people like you. Formal qualiﬁcations are not necessary (although any existing experience or skills are of great value to a school) and anyone who is aged 18 or over and has an average of 6-8 hours a month to spare is welcome to apply. For further information about becoming a School Governor: School Governors’ One- Stop Shop Tel: 020 7354 9805 Email: info@sgoss.org.uk www.sgoss.org.uk

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FOSTERING & ADOPTION EVERY CHILD MATTERS

EVERY CHILD MATTERS IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE MAY BE AS MANY AS 5,000 CHILDREN IN THE UK WAITING FOR PERMANENT NEW FAMILIES

There are currently about 66,700 children looked after by local authorities in the UK, two-thirds of whom are in foster homes, but the vast majority - 70% of them will go back to live with their birth families. There are about 5000 children of all ages, mostly living in foster care, who sadly

are unable to ever return home. These children do not have what most of us take for granted, a family they can call a ‘forever family’. 3,067 children were adopted from care in England last year but many of them had to wait months or even years to find a family. A further 5000 adoptive families are needed every year in order to match children with the adoptive parents they need.

FOR THOSE WHO ARE THE CHILDREN WHO NEED FOSTER CARE?

Most of the children looked after by local authorities when their own families are unable to care for them are placed in foster families. Families are unable to care for their children for a variety of reasons. Sometimes parents have poor physical or mental health and have to be hospitalised, or they may

misuse drugs or alcohol and need help to overcome their addiction. Children may have been neglected and they may also have been abused.

For more information: BAAF Head Office Skyline House, 200 Union Street, London SE1 0LX. Tel: 020 7593 2000, Fax: 020 7593 2001, Email: mail@baaf.org.uk, website. www.baaf.org.uk

“Most of the children looked after by local authorities when their own families are unable to care for them are placed in foster families.”

Fostering more than just a job! Islington Foster Carers l

keep brothers and sisters together

offer a home in or near Islington

can be single people or couples

receive generous allowances

0800 073 0428

or email us at fostering@islington.gov.uk www.islington.gov.uk/fostering

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HERE ARE YOUR TOP 10 QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY THE NATIONAL FOSTERING AGENCY

I have no experience of Fostering, am I suitable? * Do you have experience of parenting or working with children? * In relation to your accommodation do you have a spare bedroom? * Foster Carers need to be available; do you feel you have the time to commit to caring for a child? If the answer to all three is yes, then you may be suitable to foster. We would need to visit you to discuss this in more detail and would need to assess, train and prepare you for some of the challenges that fostering will present. The process will take an average of 4 - 6 months depending on your individual circumstances and we require all members of your house to be part of the assessment.

What behaviours will fostered children have? Many fostered children have been abused and neglected, some

may have been abandoned, some are Unaccompanied Asylum Seekers and have come from war torn countries. All children need care, attention and security. We will train and support you to enable you to cope with children placed in your care.

I am new to this, what sort of help and training will I get? You will receive in depth training and support from qualified, experienced staff. You will be able to meet other foster carers who will share their knowledge with you. Plus, our Social Workers are available 24 hours a day should you have a query or problem.

I have my own children. How will fostering affect them? Many of our foster carers have their own children so this does not preclude you from applying. When you apply, we will discuss the needs of your children so that we can match foster children as closely as possible with your family. In our experience, foster carers children gain great benefit from sharing their homes with foster children. The standards for fostering state that foster children cannot share a bedroom with your own children.

FOSTERING & ADOPTION EVERY CHILD MATTERS

“We ask foster carers to be as flexible and available to carry out school runs and care for children during the day if they are off school due to sickness, school holidays or if excluded. Foster carers also have to commit to attending training courses and meetings. Each applicant’s situation is assessed on an individual basis.”

THINKING OF FOSTERING 5

What checks do you carry out and how long will it take for me to be approved as a carer? We carry out a full assessment which includes checks with the Criminal Record Bureau. You will be visited by a Social Worker in your home, and you will be required to attend preparation training. You will also need to have a medical examination. The whole process takes from 4 - 6 months depending on circumstances.

What allowances do I get to cover expenses? The Government and National Fostering Agency recognises that parenting is a costly business. Therefore we pay you a generous weekly, tax free allowance per child.

Can I work? We ask foster carers to be as flexible and available to carry out school runs and care for children during the day if they are off school due to sickness, school holidays or if excluded. Foster carers also have to commit to attending training courses and meetings. Each applicant’s situation is assessed on an individual basis.

How long do children stay with me? Children need to be fostered for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes there might be a temporary crisis in the family and they will go home the next day. Sometimes, it will be unsuitable for them to go home and they may need to stay with you for many months. In other cases, foster children remain until they are adults. We will support you and advise you in each case so that you understand what the plans are for each child.

I am a single parent. Can I foster? Yes. Many foster carers are single parents, but you must be willing and able to carry out all the tasks associated with fostering. You must also have a nominated suitable adult who can help you in an emergency.

For more info email info@nfa.ws or phone 0845 * 200 4040 (calls at local rate) *

FOSTERING & ADOPTION EVERY CHILD MATTERS

FOSTERING

MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE Fostering offers the chance to make a real difference in children’s lives. When foster care works well which it does for thousands of children every day - it is a great way of providing families for children who, for a wide range of reasons, cannot live with their own parents. A wider pool of carers would enable local authorities to find the ‘right’ foster family for more children, whether these children need their foster family for a few weeks, a few months or many years. And it’s when good matches are made that foster carers are able to make a real difference in children’s lives. Anyone can apply to be a foster carer, as long as they have what it takes to care for children who are living away from their families. But that doesn’t mean that everybody can become a foster carer. Fostering involves much more than being a caring person - although that is essential - and it is vital that fostering services ensure that each applicant is the right person for the job. Fostering is not always easy. Children coming into foster care may have lived through difficult experiences, and at the very least will be suffering from the trauma of separation from their family. Carers require specific skills and abilities to help children deal with these issues. All foster carers therefore undergo thorough assessment and training before they can begin fostering, and are expected to meet and maintain * high standards * once children begin

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coming into their homes. Of course, it’s not just about recruitment of foster carers. It’s also essential that once someone has been trained, assessed and approved as a foster carer, they are helped and supported to offer care to children for as long as they feel able. That’s why the Fostering Network continues to lobby the UK governments to provide proper practical and financial support to all foster carers. Fostering is extremely challenging, but any of the 37,000 foster families in the UK would tell you that it can also be incredibly rewarding. If you think you have what it takes, why not see who you can foster for, and apply today. Robert Tapsfield, chief executive, the Fostering Network

Email info@fostering.net or contact one of the Fostering Network’s four UK offices in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and Belfast. London office: 87 Blackfriars Road, London SE1 8HA Tel: 020 7620 6400, 020 7620 6401 info@fostering.net

FOSTERING & ADOPTION EVERY CHILD MATTERS

BE MY PARENT BE MY PARENT IS A FAMILY-FINDING SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR ADOPTION & FOSTERING (BAAF)

Be My Parent is a UK-wide family-finding newspaper published twelve times a year. It is intended for people interested in adoption and permanent fostering, as well as for social services departments and other adoption and fostering agencies. We are currently developing Be My Parent online to complement the newspaper as a webbased family-finding service. The new Be My Parent website will go live in April 2007. Our website will offer a brand new way for prospective adopters and foster carers to find a child. As well as featuring children’s profiles, photographs and videos, it will contain lots of useful information about adoption and fostering. Families can subscribe to the online service, the monthly newspaper, or both (for a reduced fee). To find out more, see the website, email bmp@baaf.org.uk or call 020 7421 2666/5/4. With Be My Parent online, you’ll be able to log in whenever is convenient, browse the children’s profiles and make an enquiry directly to the social worker. You won’t have to wait for the next issue of the Be My Parent newspaper to come out, as the website will be continually updated with new profiles. You can also choose to receive email alerts when new children are featured. As you would expect from Be My Parent, the security issues of using the web to profile children have been fully considered. Only subscribers will be able to view children’s profiles, which will not disclose any identifying data. All information will be stored and transmitted securely. Longer, detailed profiles mean you can find out more about a child before you make an enquiry. Our sample profile includes personal comments from the social worker, foster carer and child himself, as well as examples of his artwork and a four-minute video that really brings his personality to life. When the Be My Parent website officially launches in April 2007, you’ll be able to start viewing children’s profiles and making enquiries. Visit www.bemyparent.org.uk to register your interest, find out about special offers, and be kept up-to-date.

“With Be My Parent online, you’ll be able to log in whenever is convenient, browse the children’s profiles and make an enquiry directly to the social worker. You can also choose to receive email alerts when new children are featured.

Is there room in your life to foster a child?

Becoming a foster carer for Thurrock is your chance to make a positive difference to the lives of vulnerable children. Of course, we appreciate that fostering a child is not a decision to be taken lightly. You’ll need time, patience and a caring attitude, as well as room in your home. If you have all these to offer, give fostering a chance. For information on fostering for Thurrock call free on

0800 652 1256

The freephone line is open from 8am-7pm Mon-Fri and 9am-2pm on Saturdays.

www.thurrockfostering.gov.uk

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COULD I ADOPT A CHILD? ADOPTION IS A WAY OF PROVIDING A NEW FAMILY FOR A CHILD WHEN LIVING WITH THEIR OWN FAMILY IS NOT POSSIBLE. IT IS THE MEANS OF GIVING A CHILD AN OPPORTUNITY TO START AGAIN; FOR MANY CHILDREN, ADOPTION MAY BE THEIR ONLY CHANCE OF EXPERIENCING FAMILY LIFE. AN ADOPTION ORDER SEVERS ALL LEGAL TIES WITH THE BIRTH FAMILY AND CONFERS PARENTAL RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE NEW ADOPTIVE FAMILY. THE BIRTH PARENTS NO LONGER HAVE ANY LEGAL RIGHTS OVER THE CHILD AND THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO CLAIM THEM BACK. YOUR CHILD BECOMES A FULL MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY; THEY TAKE YOUR SURNAME AND ASSUME THE SAME RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AS IF THEY HAD BEEN BORN TO YOU. BRINGING UP A CHILD IS MUTUALLY REWARDING AND GREAT FUN, AS WELL AS BEING HARD WORK AND A BIG RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY SO WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO BRING UP A CHILD WHO WAS NOT BORN TO YOU.

What adoption does is to provide the legal basis for the assumption of parental responsibilities in respect of a particular child by someone, or in the case of a couple (they need not be married, and they can be hetrosexual, gay or lesbian) by them both, who are not their natural parent. In the UK there were around 5,000 children adopted in 2000, but quite a number of these involved adoptions by a step-parent. The government want to see the number of ‘looked after’ children being adopted increased. In 2000/2001 there were over three thousand looked after children adopted in England, in 2001/2 this number increased to around 3,400 children. There are estimated to be many more children who would benefit from being placed with new families, and where adoption is the plan for the child. Most of these children are four years and older, and many are part of sibling groups. Nowadays, adoption is used to provide permanent families for children of all ages, from infants to teenagers. For most people there is good reason to believe that you could be approved to adopt. One of the “issues” that all adoption agencies are aware of is that quite a number of people decide not to apply because they think that they might not be approved. In many instances they are quite simply wrong! There are some things

which might indicate that you should consider delaying your application for a while and other matters that might make it more difficult for you to adopt. There are only a few things that would make it most unlikely that you could ever adopt. We list some of the more often asked questions below: Fostering is shared caring. Foster carers are not the child’s legal parents: they usually share the caring with the birth parents, with the agency or authority responsible for the child’s welfare.

WHAT WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR APPLICATION TO ADOPT Your sexuality

Adoption by hetrosexual and gay people and couples should be treated similarly by all adoption agencies. Recent research indicates that gay adopters do a very good job of parenting children and that they have as much as anyone else to offer children who are placed for adoption. You should not expect to face any discrimination because of your sexuality.

Your religious beliefs

Agencies will often state that they approve prospective adopters “of all faiths or none”. Your religion may exclude you from being considered for some children, usually where the birth parent has expressed a desire for them to be brought up in a particular faith, but it will not be a barrier to you adopting.

We are not married

Unmarried couples are encouraged to apply to adopt. Couples can be straight, lesbian or gay.

FOSTERING & ADOPTION probably find that you will not be re-EVERY CHILD MATTERS housed on the basis of your intention

I’m not well off

Agencies will want to establish that you are financially secure (eg not threatened with eviction). You do not have to have a certain level of income to adopt.

to adopt in the future.

You have a recent criminal conviction or a pending criminal charge

I’m on benefits

You can be employed, self employed or unemployed. It will make no material difference to your application.

I live in rented accommodation

Agencies will consider this irrelevant unless you are renting a property where the lease is to end, and where you are expected to move out in the near future.

WHY SHOULD YOU CONSIDER A DELAY IN APPLYING? If you are currently, or have recently undergone fertility treatment

Most agencies will consider applicants who have undergone fertility treatment 6 months after this treatment has ended, some insist on a longer period. If you are in this position our advice is to use the time to gather information and to start to discuss all aspects of adoption with both your partner (if

applicable) and your family. You have a child who is not more than two years older than the age of a child you would like to adopt All agencies insist that an adopted child should be at least two years younger than any existing children of the family. Some insist on an even greater age gap.

I have very small accommodation

Agency staff will not consider a family if they cannot provide the physical space the child needs. For example, if you live in a 2 bedroom property and you already have a daughter of 10 you would not be considered for the adoption of a 7 year old boy until your accommodation changes. For those living in council properties you will

Agency staff will be able to advise you after being told of the offence/s, when they were committed and of the circumstances. It is quite unlikely that an Adoption Agency will consider you as a suitable applicant if you have committed an offence in the last few years. You might want to use this time to delay your application and gather evidence that would support the view that your offending is behind you.

You have not been with your partner very long

All agencies want children adopted into a very secure family environment. Whilst you may be convinced that your relationship with your partner is going to last, Adoption Agencies prefer t o see a relationship that has a significant history and many will want to select only applicants who have been together for two years or more. This makes perfect sense as it gives them an indication of how, as a couple, you have coped with problems

“One of the ‘issues’ that all adoption agencies are aware of is that quite a number of people decide not to apply because they think that they might not be approved. In many instances they are quite simply wrong!”

You can

Adopt l No experience necessary l Over forties We are looking for people from all backgrounds, religions and cultures who can offer love and support to children who need adoptive parents. You can make a difference by offering love and support and a permanent home to a child or siblings. All our children have had a rough start and deserve the love and stability of family life.

l Single applicants l No big house or income needed

If you feel you could offer a child a home and change their life forever, please contact the adoption team for a chat.

Interested in adopting make the call

020 8227 5854 Or email adoption@lbbd.gov.uk * *

“You need to be 21 to adopt, or if you are a couple you need to both be over that age. The only exception to this is for some stepparents adoptions. Most agencies will not consider applicants under the age of 25 as they feel that such a life changing decision requires considerable maturity.”

and adversity, how you bring different strengths to your relationship, how you support one another, make decisions, and apportion tasks, etc.

You are just about to or have just moved

The Adoption Agency is likely to want you to have settled into an area before applying. They want to feel confident that you will not move out of the area during or just after the home study. They also need to include within your home study report, details of your support networks and the links you have established within your local community. This would be very difficult to determine within a few months of you moving to a new area to live.4

You are the parent/s of a child that has died recently

It is quite natural for many who have lost a child to consider adoption. Adoption agencies will want to make sure that you have come to terms with your loss and given yourself sufficient time to grieve. Agency staff are likely to be concerned that you are able to cope with the anxiety and stress that most adopters go through during the assessment process.

WHY YOUR APPLICATION MIGHT NOT BE STRAIGHT FORWARD I have suffered mental health problems in the past One of the first steps you should take is to discuss your making an application to adopt with your GP. He or she will probably be prepared to advise you of the information they will give to the adoption agency and any supplemental information they would provide. The agency will have their own medical adviser who will also be asked for their opinion. This advice is likely to concentrate upon the impact of your last illness, your response to any treatment, any indication that the illness might occur again, and the long-term outlook.

I have suffered or have other health problems

One of the first steps you should take is to discuss your making an application to adopt with your GP. He or she will probably be prepared to advise you of the information they will give to the adoption agency and any supplemental information they will provide. The agency will have their own medical adviser who will also be asked for their opinion. This advice is likely to concentrate upon the impact of your illness, your response to any

treatment, and just how it might affect your physical ability to care for a child in the future. If you are suffering from a progressive illness the agency will pay considerable attention to how predictable is its progress and its impact upon your ability to physically care for a child over the long-term. If you have suffered from cancer the agency will want you to have been given the ‘all clear’ and many expect a reasonable amount of time to have elapsed since then. You have a criminal conviction Agency staff will be able to advise you how this might affect your application. If you have committed a criminal offence you will not, in most cases be excluded from applying. With the exception of some very serious offences the agency will consider the offence/s, the circumstances, and the likelihood of you offending in the future.

Why Your Application might be rejected You have a criminal conviction for offences against children or another very serious offence. If you feel that this might apply to you we would advise that you ask the Adoption Agency for confirmation that the offence excludes you from becoming an approved adopter. They will be able to tell you if the current legislation excludes you from adopting.

You are not a UK resident

You must OR at least one of a couple must be domiciled in the UK.

You or your partner are under 21

You need to be 21 to adopt, or if you are a couple you need to both be over that age. The only exception to this is for some step-parents adoptions. Most agencies will not consider applicants under the age of 25 as they feel that such a life changing decision requires considerable maturity.

You have had a child of your own that was ‘taken into care’

Agency staff should be advised of all the facts and circumstances, but you should expect them to be quite negative about you making an application to adopt. The list above is not exhaustive. Should your particular concern about your application not be addressed here please phone us for advice.

Haringey Adoption Service In Haringey, the majority of children who need adopting are either of black or of mixed heritage. We welcome applications for adoption from people of all ethnic backgrounds. You don’t have to be married. You can be single or part of a couple, gay or straight. You don’t have to be a homeowner but you do need enough room for your adopted child.

Haringey Family Link has been offering planned respite to children with disabilities for 20 years. If you live nearby and are free for a few hours after school, or over the weekend, you could offer a Haringey child with a disability a short break during the day or overnight. Parents get to have a short break while the children develop social skills. We offer ongoing training plus expenses.

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Haringey Fostering Service You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to become a foster carer. In Haringey, local people have opened up their hearts and homes to care for Haringey’s children, but there is a real need to recruit more foster carers from different ethnic backgrounds for our children and teenagers. We offer ongoing training support and a generous weekly allowance.

If you would like more information concerning the above services, please write, email or telephone us. 40 Cumberland Road, Wood Green London n22 7sg fostering.adoption@haringey.gov.uk www.haringey.gov.uk

Haringey Adoption Service 020 8489 3309 Haringey Family Link 020 8489 3787 Haringey Fostering Service 020 8489 3754

FOSTERING & ADOPTION ZARA H PHILLIPS, BORN IN THE EARLY 60S, WAS ADOPTED AT TWO MONTHS. AGE 23, ZARA DECIDED TO SEARCH FOR BIRTH MOTHER AND WENT ON TO DOCUMENT THE REUNION IN HER BOOK, MOTHER ME. HER STORY HIGHLIGHTS THE MIXED EMOTIONS AND LIFE LONG IMPACT OF HER ADOPTION

MOTHER & CHILD

Reunion

In Mother Me Zara explores the profound emotions of exactly what it felt like to grow up knowing that she was adopted, surrounded by love and yet feeling no connection to her adoptive family. She explores the far-reaching impact of her adoption on her relationships and self-esteem, as well as the anxieties, insecurities and sense of isolation and loss that she has battled with throughout her life. Zara’s birth mother Pat was 17 when she had a brief relationship with Zara’s father Vittorio, whom Zara has yet to meet. In an interview in the Telegraph newspaper, Zara reveals the circumstances of her adoption: “[My mother] was an unmarried English girl pregnant by an Italian, her parents were so ashamed. She later told me that

if she’d been able to have an abortion, she would have. But this was 1964, and her only option was adoption. She goes on to explain: “My adoptive parents loved me, but I grew up feeling joyless. I even told my adoptive mum when I was eight that I was depressed. She just said, ‘You’re too young to know what that means.’ But I think it stemmed from a sense of loss… I always knew I was adopted. I think my mother told me when I was four or five. I have no memory of actually being told, just of the feelings as a child.”

Now 43, Zara is a singer/ songwriter and lives in New Jersey with her American husband Johnathan, 11-year old son Zachary and daughters Kayla, age 7 and Arden, age 5. Zara’s own attitude to motherhood has certainly been coloured by her childhood experiences and the relationship with her adoptive parents. “Parenting was much harder when Zachary was a baby, as he was my first and I had a lot of anxiety. I couldn’t leave him in a room because I actually thought he’d disappear into thin air….I think that came from a real fear of separation.” The book provides a unique insight into pregnancy and motherhood from the perspective of an adopted woman and offers a frank and honest account of how love, marriage and the birth of her own children helped Zara to reach an understanding of her past and a final sense of compassion for both her birth and adoptive families.

Mother Me is published March 2 2008 by the British Association for Adoption and Fostering (BAAF) . Price £8.95. Copies are available from www.baaf.org.uk

real lives real children real care ISP is an independent, not-for-profit childcare organisation that has been supporting the work of Local Authority Social Services departments throughout the UK for over 20 years. At the heart of our work is the daily care provided by our foster families. Our carers benefit from an extensive programme of training that has been recognised as “amongst the most creative and challenging available in the field of foster care”. All of our families are allocated to an ISP Centre, giving them access to the very best professional advice and expertise in foster care, social work, therapy and education.

As a foster carer, you will work with an ISP Centre as close to your home as possible. ISP currently has six Centres located in Kent, Sussex, Buckinghamshire and North London. The Centres provide specialist resources for children and also offer excellent training and meeting facilities for the families they rely on. Our Centres form the basis of ISP’s work and are well equipped, comfortable environments which reflect the aspiration and ambition which ISP staff and carers hold for all children placed in one of our families.

ISP’s unique, integrated approach enables us to offer exceptional levels of support to both the children we care for and the families who care for them. We appreciate the high levels of skill and commitment needed to achieve the best for children and foster carers receive appropriate financial recognition currently from £402.30 to £531.06 for a child, per week.

Our Out of Hours team ensures that each family has access to advice and support 24 hours a day and is available to respond to emergency referrals.

COULD YOU GIVE A CHILD A CHANCE? Find out about a fostering career with ISP. Call our Fostering Team on 0800 085 7989 or visit our website www.ispchildcare.org.uk

e h t e k Ta p e t s t s r fi ore dren need m Coventry chrilcarers and adopters Black foste

Are you caring, flexible and understanding to the needs of children and have a spare room if so fostering could be for you! We are looking for people from all cultures and walks of life to care for children and young people some with challenging behaviour.

To find out m call Coventr ore about fostering or y Fostering a nd Adoptionadoption Service

We offer our carers 24 hour support, high quality training, respite, peer support groups and regular supervision and a competitive reward.

024 7678 5

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www.coventry.gov.uk/adoptionandfostering

If you would like more information please contact the duty social worker on: 08454 08 07 04 or register your interest at info@safehaven.uk.com

WORKLIFE INTERVIEW MEI SIM LAI

forSUCCESS

AIMING Of Malaysian-Chinese origin Mei Sim Lai has lived in the UK since 1970, becoming a British Citizen in 1989. The decade before she became the first female and Chinese partner of the leading firm of City Chartered Accountants Pridie Brewster. She has considerable expertise and experience in looking after SMEs and helping them to grow and succeed. Outside the firm she is currently the Acting Chair of the DTI’s Ethnic Minority Business Forum and Chair of its Access to Finance Subgroup. She is also a member of the DTI’s London and South East Regional Industrial Development Board. Mei Sim is a Public Works Loan Commissioner, a member of the MoD Diversity Panel, a member of the Senior Salaries Review Body and a Non-Executive Director of Westminster Forum. Since 1991 she has been running the City of London Branch of the Institute of Directors as its Honorary Secretary. In the 2004 New Year Honours Mei Sim was appointed OBE in recognition of her services to Equal Opportunities.

Mei Sim Lai: More than a high* achiever

TO DESCRIBE MEI SIM LAI AS A HIGH ACHIEVER WOULD NOT DO HER JUSTICE. SHE WAS THE FIRST FEMALE PARTNER OF LEADING CITY CHARTERED ACCOUNTS PRIDIE BREWSTER AND NOW RUNS HER OWN CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY PRACTICE, LAIPETERS. HAVING CLEARLY MASTERED THE ART OF TIME MANAGEMENT, MEI SIM ALSO HOLDS A DIZZYING ARRAY OF POSTS IN THE COMMERCIAL WORLD AND IS ACTIVE IN PROMOTING DIVERSITY WITHIN BUSINESS FOR BOTH WOMEN AND ETHNIC MINORITIES.

“We could certainly do with more women in Parliament and other walks of public life and on the Boards of the top companies in the UK as well as senior positions in business and the public sector.”

Women Magazine (WM): Your career and professional achievements are both prolific and diverse. What would you say are the driving forces behind your achievements? Mei Sim Lai (MSL): I enjoy working hard, being busy, meeting people from different backgrounds, new ideas and making things happen. I also enjoy helping others. I always aim to be successful and effective in whatever I do. WM: What three words would you use to describe yourself? MSL: I would describe myself as astute, enterprising and a great networker. WM: You have done much work in promoting diversity and equality – what are the key areas which you think still need to be addressed? MSL: I am much encouraged that a lot more organisations are now committed to promoting diversity and equality. However there is so much more to be done as diversity and equality are still not mainstream agenda items in many organisations particularly in SMEs. Strong leadership and commitment from the top is needed to sell the business case to everyone in the organisation. Having good diversity and equality policies and practices should be standard in organisations and sharing of best practice could be developed further. There is also an urgent need for boards in the private, public and voluntary sectors to be more diverse. The media could play a much bigger role in promoting diversity and equality. WM: You have recently made a plea for more women, and ethnic minority women in particular, to put themselves

forward and get involved in business and public life. Can you expand on this? MSL: Women need to play a bigger part in business and public life. In recent years there has been good progress in this area but there is still considerable room for improvement. Women need to put them themselves forward for public appointments and make every effort to succeed and encourage other women to be involved. There are plenty of opportunities and women must not be afraid of going for them. We could certainly do with more women in Parliament and other walks of public life and on the Boards of the top companies in the UK as well as senior positions in business and the public sector. WM: What are your three main indulgences in life? MSL: My three indulgences are eating out, opera and exotic holidays. WM: How good are you at coping with work/life balance? MSL: I am not very good at work/ life balance as I spend more time on work than on other areas. This has been particularly so in the past year because of trying to establish my new Chartered Accountancy Practice LaiPeters & Co. During the week I am very busy during the day and evenings but I try to set aside time for my husband at weekends. As a rule we always go out for dinner on Friday night to relax and catch up. WM: Which women do you particularly admire? MSL: Women I particularly admire are my mother and the unsung heroines who work tirelessly to help others. I also greatly admire Her Majesty The Queen, the late Anita Roddick and Baroness Kennedy.

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how successful would it be? Valuing differences in thought, background and perspective is more than our philosophy, it is at the core of our business model. Only through the combined creativity, knowledge and dedication of all our employees and business partners can we deliver the excellence our clients expect, every day, worldwide. To learn more, visit us online at www.lehman.com.

Lehman Brothers is an equal opportunity employer. ©2007 Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Lehman Brothers International (Europe), authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority, is an affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.

CHOICE,VARIETY AND SATISFACTION – AND THAT’S JUST OUR JOBS! At Tesco the principle ‘Everyone is Welcome’ is integral to everything we do. We work hard to make sure all our staff have the opportunity to get on – regardless of their gender, ethnicity, age, or disability. In fact, offering a huge variety of career opportunities to absolutely everybody is one of our core values. And one of our main aims is for our people to progress in their career – whatever their hours, circumstances or background.

Y ONE: ith CASE STUD get on at Tesco! W to have a degree to go

An Opportunity to Get On: Tesco really is a great place to work whether you are serving our customers, managing a store or distribution centre, sourcing products for our ever-expanding non-food range or even working in one of the thirteen countries we operate in around the world. Not only do we make sure that everybody has an equal opportunity to get on – we will always look to treat each other with respect.

se who didn’t You don’t have ns programme tho the “A” Level Optio can still progress into management. on onto higher educati me development programme which And it’s this full-ti d the company after dropping out Tesco offers its people the chance to joine Laura Ward - who ntified as her route up the career ide s ha ty of universi accumulate a wide range of skills and ladder. etro, Newcastle- ly M d on sm Je m experience and there are some Laura Ward, fro d Tesco as a Checkout Assistant on ne upon-Tyne who joi the programme will enable her to nt great training programmes to help last June, is confide thin two years. wi s become a manager Leader on the shopfloor, Laura aim ting promo people progress at all levels. her store, before be Currently a Team on Manager at anot ading Manager. cti Se ing ad Tr a me Tr Food to beco role such as Fresh stand in her way! Store ed to a Senior Team to let the fact that she is a woman We have seen an increase in rs at our store. The ing cte go ’t ara And she isn of strong female ch very good role models for us. lot a ite qu are th women and women progressing internally to s in the Laura said:“There nnel Manager are bo of women who are in senior position footir Manager and Perso lot the a in t me low ve fol I ha d to more senior levels of Tesco and are “Since joining Tesco at they are talking about, and I inten wh gly on str company.They know uld sco and I wo also attracting some great talent n to get along at Te steps. a chance as any ma ch mu as d ha ve ha “I any.” from outside as our case studies n to join the comp encourage any woma : O DY TW eers at the same time as bringshow. CASE STU d ce their car Women can advan t, mum-of-two Hayley Roberts ha fac s already pregnant ing up children. In ternity leave, and wa arked for promoAnd, as well as great opportunima m fro d ne ur ret just she was earm en wh , ild ch d on sec with her ties to get on, we also offer great ger. tion to Store Mana at Nailsea store near Bristol, e ing arg Now in ch ty student work pay, a pension scheme, staff dismpany as a universi Hayley joined the co kouts. ec count card, share schemes and part-time on the ch she became a full-time Checkout later, she s ek we After graduating 12 t jus , n Mallett where health and leisure discounts. Assistant at Shepto s wa r. e ge sh na e for Ma eckout stores be was promoted to Chious managerial roles at ten different programme. There followed var onto the accelerated Store Manager ughter, said:“I told them it da going approached about has a 3-year-old son and 18-month-old t they said I didn’t have to bu w nt, no na o eg wh pr y, s Hayle and wa e, that I had a baby wasn’t the right tim I shouldn’t ily. fam d an rk lance and told me wo choose between enjoy a work-life ba to me d age ur co “The company en ily in order to realise my potential. mother has fam family and being a have to sacrifice my has been fantastic for me - having a “Working at Tesco r. kes you caree never affected my , but combining family and career ma s it “It has been hard ve to be organised – but Tesco make u ha more productive.Yo possible.”

CASE STUDY THREE:

Self-motivation, drive, and determination have all helped ambitious Claire Chandler reach the top – and as Store Manager of Stevenage Extra she’s now trying to convince female colleagues that they can do the same. Ambitious Claire joined Tesco as a graduate back in 2001 and, after managerial roles at four different stores as far afield as Cardiff and Milton Keynes, she was put in charge at Stevenage almost a year ago. Claire, who is engaged to be married, said: “The company has been fantastic in terms of training and the opportunity they have given me to get on, and with have been very supportive.All these things have worked have all the store teams I made career progression quite easy for me. I can’t “It is a very processed organisation which I love – and if there’s something help. will office head then store in out find to encour“The typical stereotype of a Store Manager is of a man – but I always try example of age ladies telling them that they can do it too. I have tried to be the living this in my store and sell the opportunities which are out there. to help “We are always looking at ways to keep women in the business and trying roles.” better them into bigger and

CASE STUDY FOUR:

She works in the male-dominated environment of a Tesco Distribution Centre – but Shift Manager Claire Morrisy has always been made to feel welcome. “Tesco actively encourages women to come and work in Distribution and I certainly found they were keen to help me progress. “I have never been treated differently as a woman. In fact, in some ways I have had a somewhat easier reaction because I am not the norm. “I would certainly encourage other women to come and work in a depot”. Claire, based at Southampton depot, joined Tesco two-and-a-half years ago as an Administration Manager before progressing to Warehouse Team Leader and then her current role. She is the only female Shift Manager of four at her depot. been “I don’t think many women would consider a job like mine, but I have always happy here, enjoyed my work, and felt respected. a differ“Although most of the people I work with are men, it really doesn’t make got a has ty Personali day. the of end the at jobs doing people just ence.We are lot to do with it and I have always been outgoing which has gone down well.’’

CASE STUD Y FIVE: Prov

iding the opp ortunity to tr world can be avel to far flu your oyster ng places, the with a career In just four-a at Te sco! nd -a -half years w Neela Muk ith the compa herjee, now ny Category Non-Food Se Director fo asonal, has he r ld many varied home and ab posts both at road, teaching he aspects of th r about man y different e business. She said:“I ha ve had a very career at Tesc interesting an o, something d varied which I might working else not have had where. “I have carrie d out a lot o f different ro involved in se les and been veral change projects in th has meant th e business.T at I have been his able to learn about the co a great deal mpany and th e way it works. “I spent a ye ar working in international time I travelle during which d in Asia and Central Euro experience w pe, which was hich I found an both interest ing and enjoya “Then I mov ed to work in ble. 18 months ag C ommercial ab o allowing m out e to move cr too.” oss-functiona lly

If you would like to learn more about opportunities at Tesco, please visit www.WorkingForTesco.com

Transport for London

Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transport, the first step to opportunity for every member of our world city

MAYOR OF LONDON

Transport for London

WORKLIFE ASIAN ACHIEVERS

ASIAN WOMEN OF ACHIEVERS 2008 Main: 2007 winners. Top insert: Fiona Bruce, Dr Geetha Nagasubramanian, Meg Munn Minister for Women and Equality. Bottom insert: Business Woman of the Year Romana Abdin with her award’.

IT’S TIME FOR THE NOMINATIONS. FROM FRESH AND INSPIRING NEW STORIES FROM ASIAN WOMEN IN BRITAIN REACHING NEW HEIGHTS ACROSS BUSINESS, THE ARTS, TECHNOLOGY AND THE PROFESSIONS. FOR THE MANY UNSUNG ASIAN WOMEN IN BRITAIN TODAY ACHIEVING EXTRAORDINARY THINGS, THIS IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO BRITISH PUBLIC LIFE. Established in 1999, the Asian Women of Achievement awards applaud and celebrate the commitment, dedication and determination of Asian women to their professional and personal achievements within the commercial, professional, artistic and humanitarian sectors. This year 42 finalists were selected across eight different Award categories. The Asian Women of Achievement Awards recognise the commitment, dedication and determination of Asian women from all over the country and from all walks of life. The awards were set up by Pinky Lilani and Munir Samji to recognise all levels of achievement made by Asian women in the UK – whether professional or not.

If you would like to nominate yourself or someone whose achievements you feel truly deserve recognition, see www.awaawards.com. Deadline for nominations is Friday 7, March 2008. The Asian Women of Achievement Awards in association with Lloyds TSB will be held on Tuesday May 20, 2008 at The London Hilton on Park Lane. www.awaawards.com

“The awards were set up by Pinky Lilani and Munir Samji to recognise all levels of achievement made by Asian women in the UK – whether professional or not.” * *

NHS

Professionals

Want to work flexibly in the NHS?

NHS Professionals can offer you a flexible approach to your working life by enabling you to fit work around other commitments. It could be your key to a flexible working life enabling you to choose when and where you work. Besides flexibility, NHS Professionals can also offer:

• First choice of shifts • Competitive and weekly pay • NHS benefits • Free mandatory training

CALL THE TEAM ON 0845

60 60 345

www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk NHS Professionals is an employment organisation

making it work for you

ARTS & CULTURE INTERVIEW NINIA BENJAMIN

TAKE COVER, IT’S

“ THE COMEDY

assassin”

inia Benjamin is one of the UK’s hottest female comedians having worked her way up from “a job at Woolies” to becoming an in-demand stage personality and live comedy stand-up. Ninia was catapulted to stardom in the BBC3 hit comedy show 3 Non-Blondes. Ninia also showed another hidden talent – hairdresser – when she was crowned the Winner of Celebrity Scissorhands 2007, where she and a host of celebrities cut and styled their way through two weeks in a televised salon, raising thousands of pounds for Children in Need. A fan of food and Harry Hill, Ninia continues to raise the roof wherever she performs and would also love to co-star alongside Bruce Willis!

Women Magazine: How did you first break into comedy? Ninia Benjamin: A friend and I were talking about comedy and I told him that I had written a set, would he like to hear it. He laughed and said “If I get you a gig, will you do it” and I said “Ok then”. I didn’t really commit myself to it. Then I got made redundant and said let me give it a go. What kinds of jobs have you done before being a comedian? Worked in a cafe. Trained people on computers and worked in a Woolies. What three words would you use to describe yourself? Fun, cheeky and serious. Do you ever think you will go into straight acting – I hear Catherine Tate finds it hard to get a straight role? I would love to get into straight acting. I used to do it, but give it time. Do you think you will ever have a re-union with the two other non-Blondes. Wow - who knows!

What boundaries wouldn’t you cross in your comedy? Anything to do with children and animals - that is rude. Just not funny. Why so few women comedians? And why even fewer black women comedians? Maybe because it is a lonely life and you have to do a lot of traveling late at night often missing last trains, so if you don’t drive it can be difficult. There are quite a few black women comics, they are just not on the mainstream circuit. If you could have the lead in any classic movie which would it be? Uma’s role in Pulp Fiction. Who or what always puts a smile on your face? Food and Harry Hill. Careerwise - What next? Get to act in a film with Bruce Willis and my own one woman show.

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS Catherine Tate or Dawn French? Oh! Both. Top 3 numbers on speed dial? Voice mail, mum and sister. Favourite outfit? White shirt and jeans. Cars – Green or 4x4 Gas guzzler? Green. Save or spend? Save. MacDonalds or Mung Beans? Mung Beans (yeah right!) Party Animal or Pyjama Couch-Potato Queen? Very much both. * *

YOU ARE SO

BEAUTIFUL

St. Lucia is for travellers seeking pleasure and enrichment through the wonder of the undiscovered, the adventure of the unfamiliar, the freshness of the unspoiled and the stimulation of the exotic. This beloved island offers a diverse range of enchanting places to stay and things to do, something to satiate all tastes and paradise fantasies. Begin your fantasy with a visit to www.stlucia.org

Simply call the St. Lucia Tourist Board on 0870 900 7697 or email s l t b i n f o @ s t l u c i a u k . o r g

WORKLIFE INTERVIEW WOMEN IN THE MEDIA

Elizabeth Hunt: “Obsessed with newspapers”

(yawn!) at London University but by the time of my preregistration year, I knew that I wanted a writing career. I spent eight years with the Daily Mail (which is really where I learned anything and everything about journalism) and most recently joined The Daily Telegraph as Assistant Editor (Features) in March 2006. I manage the Features Desk and a team of writers plus several contributors, freelances and columnists. What three words would you use to describe yourself? Committed. Disciplined. Curious.

HEADLINES DEADLINES

EDITOR ELIZABETH HUNT “LAPPED UP” MAGAZINES AND NEWSPAPERS FROM AN EARLY AGE. SHE ABANDONED AN EARLY CAREER PATH AS A PHARMACIST (“YAWN!”) AND BEGAN TO RISE STEADILY UP THE RANKS OF THE NOTORIOUSLY COMPETITIVE NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE WORLD. NOW ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR ON THE DAILY TELEGRAPH, SHE CONTINUES TO MAKE HER MARK IN A TESTOSTERONE-DRIVEN WORLD. Women Magazine (WM): How did you first get into journalism? Elizabeth Hunt (EH): I almost didn’t! I was obsessed with newspapers and magazines from quite a young age. My Dad was in the Merchant Navy and used to bring home all sorts of magazines - Time, Newsweek, periodicals and journals from Australia and South Africa - and I just lapped them all up. I was passionately interested in current affairs, too. By the time I was 13, the highlight of my week was Sunday morning and the papers - especially Clive James and John Junor. I also loved gossip columns (Dempster, Hickey), Jean Rook - First Lady of Fleet Street, and general gossip about Fleet Street even though I usually didn’t know who the characters were. It all seemed so exciting and glamorous - and I just loved words and what you could do with them. I guess I was a bit odd in this respect! I really wanted to be a journalist but it was before degrees in journalism were introduced and so rather looked down on by my very academic school so I decided to do a degree in pharmacy

“Newspapers are testosterone driven and a high profile career is difficult to run in tandem with family life which is why most women opt out at some point on the ladder.”

Newspaper journalism used to be a Man’s World – this is no longer the case. Agree or don’t agree? Don’t agree. There are very, very few women at the top in national newspapers. Just take a look at the recent photo of Fleet Street’s finest in Vanity Fair...just one woman, Tina Weaver. Of course, there were some notable names missing, not least Rebekah Wade. Veronica Wadley, the Evening Standard’s Editor is one of those women who has forged a path ahead. They are the exception. Newspapers are testosterone-driven and a high profile career is difficult to run in tandem with family life which is why most women opt out at some point on the ladder. Where are the big opportunities for women in media going to be over the next five years? There will only be really good opportunities for women in the media - and I am talking about national newspapers which are what I know - if newspapers become family friendly and flexible in working patterns. I think this is unlikely. News is about the unexpected and about deadlines - to do it well and beat the opposition that has to take priority over everything else sometimes. That is the way it is. I am mildly irritated by those women who expect things to change to suit their lives. Magazines and supplements, on-line features and dedicated web channels (such as health, fashion, environment) provide good opportunities for women to influence the agenda. Lastly, your three top tips for women making it in the media. Be talented, work hard, make your own luck and seize every opportunity.

QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS The Economist or Heat? Heat (it is super trashy fun). Prada or Primark? Neither. I do Armani and TK Maxx. Domestic Goddess or Slut-and-Proud? Domestic Goddess. Weight Watchers or What-the-hell!? Weight-Watchers - it works! If one could only remember the pleasure of being thin, one would be a lot less inclined to scoff a whole coffee and walnut cake from M&S as I have been known to do in moments of crisis. Wheatgrass or double Wodka Wyborowa? I don’t like vodka but not the wheatgrass...a double G&T instead. Your Worklife Balance – Under control or in melt-down? Meltdown (nuff said). * *

SINCE 1999 HETEROSEXUAL SEX HAS BEEN THE MOST COMMON ROUTE OF NEW HIV INFECTIONS IN THE UK. WITH THE RISE IN THE NUMBERS OF THOSE WHO ACQUIRED INFECTION HETEROSEXUALLY THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF WOMEN DIAGNOSED. WOMEN ARE NOW THE FASTEST GROWING GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH HIV. EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND DEVELOPMENTS IN HIV TREATMENTS HAVE DRAMATICALLY INCREASED THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF THOSE LIVING WITH THE VIRUS. HIV IS STILL A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING AND STIGMATISING ILLNESS. MANY OTHER FACTORS CAN ADD TO THE ISOLATION AND SOCIAL EXCLUSION OFTEN EXPERIENCED BY WOMEN LIVING WITH HIV. (INFORMATION COURTESY OF WWW.POSITIVELYWOMEN.ORG.UK) HERE ANNIE LENNOX TALKS ABOUT HER * HIV CHARITIES AND TWO WOMEN WORK WITH TELL IT LIKE IT IS LIVING WITH HIV

HEALTH FEATURE HIV +

HEARTandSOUL

ICONIC SINGER-SONGWRITER ANNIE LENNOX WAS SO MOVED AND SHOCKED BY THE STIGMA AND TREATMENT OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS THAT SHE PUT BODY, HEART AND SOUL INTO INSPIRING 23 FEMALE ARTISTS FROM MADONNA TO CELINE DION TO PERFORM AN HIV ANTHEM RAISING MONEY TO HELP THE AIDS CRISIS IN AFRICA. DAVID TAYLOR MET UP WITH THE SINGER TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HER INSPIRATIONAL PROJECT. ast year saw iconic artist Annie Lennox release her new album, Songs Of Mass Destruction. The album includes the poignant track Sing, which will be used to raise money for people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The HIV anthem features the vocals of 23 top female artists including Madonna, Shakira, Celine Dion, Dido, Gladys Knight, KD Lang and Joss Stone, not forgetting, of course, a choir made up of activists from South Africa’s Treatment Action Campaign, known as The Generics. It was a CD of music recorded by The Generics that first inspired Annie to make Sing. The charity single is intended to increase awareness about HIV/AIDS, raise funds for the Treatment Action Campaign, and also to call for the national implementation of a programme to prevent mother-to-baby HIV transmission. DAVID TAYLOR: What first drew your attention to the AIDS crisis in South Africa? ANNIE LENNOX: Well, I got an invitation to perform at the inaugural 46664 Concert; that was Nelson Mandela’s prison number when he was in Robben Island, and he agreed to use it for his HIV/AIDS foundation. That concert was held in Cape Town with Peter Gabriel, Bono, Dave Stewart, Beyoncé, The Corrs and a whole bunch of people. It was a very special event and it gave all the musicians the opportunity to appraise the affect of HIV/AIDS in that country. DT: When did the point come when you just knew you had to take action? AL: I‘d heard there was a pandemic in Africa, so I had a sense of it, but it wasn’t until I was in the country myself and I had that opportunity to hear what Mandela had to say that it really shook me. Madiba [Nelson Mandela] stood in front of his former prison cell and made a speech about HIV/AIDS. It was so shocking because he said: ‘We are facing a genocide’. You see figures and we hear statistics - and they’re horrific - but until you get that ‘Aha!’ moment it’s just too abstract to comprehend.

DT: When you visited the communities hit by HIV/AIDS, what was the reality? AL: I was recently in the Eastern Cape, which is one of the poorest regions in South Africa. I went into a supermarket that’s very near one of the hospitals I visited and they’re selling different sized coffins next to the gardening tools. I’ve seen the holes that they’ve dug for the babies; every orphanage has got a graveyard and every hospice has got a place where they have to bury people. There are funerals taking place all the time, and still people are in denial. DT: Because of the stigma attached to HIV? AL: There is huge stigma. People get sick, and they don’t want to talk about it. What baffles me is that I don’t understand President Mbeki’s approach of denialism, and I don’t understand the Health Minister’s response. He says that AZT (the drug that fight HIV/AIDS) is so toxic it will kill you sooner than an AIDS-related disease will. It’s absolutely mad. It’s terribly ironic that they’ve come out of the battle of the apartheid regime and now they have a whole other kind of invisible war going on that is killing people like flies. DT: How did the brutal reality measure up to your preconceptions? AL: It’s funny that the whole thing was so impactful on me it’s hard to remember what I was thinking before I went there. It was vague - that they have a lot of problems and HIV is just one of them. Like malaria is one of them, like TB is one of them, like dysentery is one of them, malnutrition is another one. They have the lot all served up to them. Women are often raped, or forced into sex and that’s how they become innocent victims. It’s not about choice, it’s not about choosing safe sex. Men don’t believe in safe sex. Using a condom is an anathema to them. Many men still believe that if they have sex with a virgin they might even be cured of the disease – it’s that mad. So they need education. Then you have the background of * stigma and silence. 4 *

“I wasn’t born with money. I come from a poor background. My father worked in the shipyard and the railways, so we knew the value of the pound that he earned. He worked damn hard for it. So I know about not having much.” some of the money I’m making to benefit other people. I think there’s the balance. DT: You’ve been quoted as saying your ‘blood and bones’ are in the new album. AL: Metaphorically. It comes from a very deep place. It’s visceral for me. I pour my heart and soul into it. DT: Is the creative process a painful one? AL: No. I like the creative process. It’s a wonderful thing once it starts. What a beautiful thing to be able to do. I won’t say it’s easy. It is challenging, but I’ve put myself in that position.

DT: You said in one interview that you hadn’t fully processed the experience yet. AL: You are entering into a zone where the value of life and the quality of life is on a very different level. It does take time to adapt and it does take time to process. It’s very heart-wrenching when you go to hospitals and they’re so short-staffed, so under-funded, they don’t have the right kind of treatment and they don’t have the right facilities. These hospital staff, to me, are such heroes. They’re working 24-7, against all the odds, and they tell you ‘sometimes we bring food in ourselves - just to help’. Moment-by-moment people are wandering up and they’re like skeletons. You see a battle going on, and you know they can’t win it.

DT: Do you ever feel that it’s too raw and you’ve exposed too much of yourself? AL: I think that’s what music’s about. That you express something for people, that you make something that everybody can identify with. And they say, ‘Wow, that moved me to tears’ or ‘I know what she’s on about. I feel like that.’ To a point it’s personal, but to another degree it’s broad. It’s about what we all feel: the pain that we feel, the longing that we feel, the loss that we feel. I cover it all because I know it; I’ve been there. I am that person too. DT: Which songs on the new album are you especially proud of? AL: They’re all special to me. It’s like a necklace that’s strung with beads of different sizes and colours and shapes. They’re all beautiful. I like to look on it as a collection of songs that take you on a journey. You start with ‘Dark Road’ it carries you along through highs and lows.

DT: As a wealthy Westerner was it hard not to come away from South Africa with some sense of guilt? AL: I wasn’t born with money. I come from a poor background. My father worked in the shipyard and the railways, so we knew the value of the pound that he earned. He worked damn hard for it. So I know about not having much. It just so happens that I’ve been fortunate. I didn’t start to have money in the bank until I was about 29 and I had been making music for quite a long time. There were a few rip-offs on the way. I have made a lot of money it’s true, but then you take your turn to be accountable. You take responsibility.

DT: Listening to the album I sense that you’ve come through difficult times to a happier place? AL: I’m possibly more accepting of certain things. It hasn’t been a walk in the park. I’ve had my struggles, and at some points I’ve thought it’s just too much. Happiness comes and goes. I think it’s all about your relationship to gratitude at the end of the day. How grateful am I to be on this planet? There were times when I didn’t want to be, but the one thing that’s kept me going is the sacred responsibility of my two daughters. I have to be here for them no matter what, and I have to be exemplary for them, and I have to make them feel that it’s OK. Otherwise, what the hell did I bring them into this world for in the first place?

DT: By giving something back? AL: You try to give a lot back. I have my own charitable foundation – the Annie Lennox Foundation. So I can look myself in the mirror. I don’t think I’ve exploited anybody and I don’t feel too guilty. Being wealthy doesn’t exempt me from saying poverty should be made history, and I’m better situated to can contribute to that. I enjoy flying First Class, I enjoy affording good hotels that are comfortable, but I don’t want to live in a castle and I don’t want to have a private jet. That’s my own decision.* I live within my means and I try now to use

DT: When you look back on your career so far, can you actually believe it? AL: I decided to take stock of it a few years ago. All my awards that were bubble-wrapped and covered in dust in various storage units; I thought maybe I should get them all out and list my legacy, which I’ve done. The project was to take photographs of every single one to put on my website for anyone who’s interested. [Smiles] It’s not like I need to go to the room every day and go: ‘Now let me see, how many awards did I win in 1983!’ It’s a good way of handling it.

THE CHARITIES: TREATMENT ACTION CAMPAIGN

The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) was founded on 10 December 1998 in Cape Town, South Africa. The organisation campaigns for treatment for people with HIV and to reduce new HIV infections. Their efforts have resulted in many life-saving interventions, including the implementation of country-wide mother-to-child transmission prevention and antiretroviral treatment programmes. www.tac.org.za

46664

Nelson Mandela’s 46664 charity is an African response to the global HIV AIDS epidemic. Their focus is to raise awareness of the fight against the HIV AIDS pandemic and the underlying and associated issues that have such an impact - poverty, education, gender and the denial of economic opportunities for those infected and affected by HIV AIDS. The campaign is named 46664 (pronounced four, double six, six four) after Nelson Mandela’s prison number. Mandela was jailed in 1964 for 27 years for and imprisoned on Robben Island, off Cape Town in South Africa. www.46664.com

FEATURE HIV +

When things FALL APART SIXTEEN YEARS AGO, ALICE WELBOURN FACED THE ‘EARTH-SHATTERING’ NEWS THAT SHE WAS HIV POSITIVE. HERE SHE TELLS HOW HER DIAGNOSIS TURNED OUT TO BE, IN MANY WAYS, ONE OF THE GREATEST GIFTS OF HER LIFE.

“That’s why there are only about 30 out of 20,000 women with HIV here in the UK who are open about our status, since there is still so much stigma around us and our children.” POSITIVELY WOMEN

Living with HIV ... Changing Lives Positively Women is the only national charity providing support for women living with HIV by women living with HIV: • Providing specialist support by women living with HIV • Enabling women to make informed choices • Challenging stigma and discrimination Are you a woman living with HIV? Do you want to talk to another woman living with HIV? Call 020 7713 0222 Women living with HIV answer our helpline from Monday - Friday, 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 4pm. PW will ring you back free of charge. Address: 347-349 City Road, London EC1V 1LR, Tel: 020 7713 0444, Email: info@positivelywomen.org.uk www.positivelywomen.org.uk

ixteen long years ago, on Friday 20th June 1992, I learnt that I am HIV positive. That’s nearly a third of my life now spent living with this bug in my body. How does it make me feel? Physically speaking, I am one of the very few extremely fortunate ones, who feels and looks fit and well. I have been on ARVs (antiretroviral drugs) since 23rd March 2000 (this date also still sticks in my mind) when my CD4 count* had fallen to 170. Now my count is 570 and rising, with an undetectable viral load. I keep fit and eat a good diet. Unlike many, I haven’t had strong side-effects from these powerful drugs. Apart from three or four nasty bouts of shingles in the ‘90s, you would never guess that I have anything wrong. But life isn’t that simple, despite the advent of these drugs which can now keep us alive. My HIV diagnosis was also psychologically earthshattering. But I have learnt that this diagnosis was also a great gift, which has totally changed my perspective on life. American spiritual teacher, Pema Chödron, wrote: ‘When things fall apart and we’re on the verge of we know not what, the test for each of us is to stay on that brink and not concretise… When things are shaky, we are on the verge of something.’ These words speak volumes to me when I remember back to my diagnosis in 1992. I was expecting a baby, full of joy as he grew inside me. Then my world fell apart with my diagnosis. I lost the baby – Jack. I grieved for his death and for mine for a full two years. You never get over these things. You just get used to them. These events forced me to address the really big questions facing all of us, no matter who we are or where we come from. What is life about? What is death about? What are gender, sex, our belief systems, our values, our relationships with those around us, about? Slowly I began to rebuild my life, realising that I needed to be there for my other children, that maybe I wasn’t meant to give up just yet, that maybe there was

something to learn from these experiences. It has made me realise how fragile life is and to treat each day and each relationship with far more care. I have been surrounded by people who have gone on loving me, supporting me, giving me all the care that I have needed. I have been able to continue to lead a life fully integrated into my community, and fully involved in all decision-making about what happens to me. But this is very far from the reality for most HIV positive people in the world, who are shunned, ostracised, blamed and excluded from life by their communities, and then die very scared and lonely deaths. Sadly stigma is still rife in Britain also. The best method of HIV prevention is for people to meet someone like themselves who is HIV positive. But only if there is a supportive environment for us to reach out to will we be able to summon the courage to share our experiences. That’s why there are only about 30 out of 20,000 women with HIV here in the UK who are open about our status, since there is still so much stigma around us and our children. I believe strongly that the root causes of HIV in all societies – and how we respond to our diagnosis – are related to imbalances of power wherever we live in the world. The inequity between men and women, old and young, rich and poor, higher and lower castes or classes; between those who feel loved, cared for and respected and those who don’t; and between those who wield political power and those who do not. I hope groups like Positively Women will also enable us together to have the courage to right these injustices and, in doing so, also halt the spread of HIV. ‘When things fall apart … When things are shaky, we are on the verge of something.’ I hope that I can hold on to that.

This article originally appeared in Positively Women magazine. *CD4 counts in adults without HIV: A normal CD4 count in a man without HIV will be approximately 400 to 1200 cells per cubic millimetre of blood, and 500 to * 1600 in women. *

Bell(e) WEDDING

FEATURE HIV +

NATASHA BELL HAS JUST WALKED UP THE AISLE…. AGAIN….FOR THE THIRD TIME…SEVEN MONTHS PREGNANT ….AND HIV POSITIVE…AND THIS TIME, SHE’S SURE THAT SHE’S FINALLY FOUND THE ONE…..

ell, I’ve just been taken up the aisle again. Wedding number three, but this time with the added accessory of a seven months pregnant gargantuan gut. Hardly the epitome of blushing bridal virginity I admit. So far so grotesquely 21st century Elizabeth Taylor you may think, but actually this time I think I’ve finally found The One. HIV was something vaguely to do with icebergs and other alarmist advertising campaigns during wedding number 1. I was far too consumed with the avaricious consumption of every issue of Bride and Home to ever imagine the virus would affect my life 7 years later. Husband number 1 had professed to falling in love with me during a University philosophy lecture. Something to do with the heady combination of Descartes and sunlight dancing on my “Fuck off Maggie Thatcher” emblazoned t-shirt, I think. With heads so firmly entrenched up our own arses God knows our relationship was destined to fail. But I glided up the aisle in my meringue, convinced that my marriage to my socialist worker prince charming would last forever. His foray into the corporate world and discovery of ever-so amenable assistants soon scuppered my notion of eternity. Marriage number 2, in the grand scheme of things was probably my Big Mistake. My defining moment of gut wrenching stupidity. Hated by all of my friends, husband number 2 was a loathsome American, with a penchant for college boys and excessive alcohol consumption. I suppose the wedding was fun, but before the confetti settled we soon discovered that the only thing we had in common was our mutual loathing for each other. And a couple of months later our HIV

positive diagnosis. ‘No other man will want you now you’re HIV positive, so we’d better stay together,’ he said, and, ludicrously for a while I believed him, wallowing in my twisted misconception. It took me two long years to finally achieve some clarity. I was not going to allow HIV to stand in the way of me living a fulfilling life and certainly not let it shackle me to a deranged American tosser. So here I am three weeks into marriage number three. Unlike my last nuptial foray, this time its taken six and a half years of diligent relationship building to finally tie the knot. Curiously I appear to be more dizzyingly and solidly in love than ever before in my chequered relationship history. Admittedly, at the start of our relationship I never imagined it had any chance of longevity – I assumed once he knew about my HIV status he would inevitably scarper. I nevertheless disclosed after a month of dating in every South London girl’s comfort zone – a McDonalds car park. I suppose the rationale was if he did dump me I would at least have the consolation of a Big Mac Meal. Luckily he didn’t. When asked to guess the terrible secret I needed to tell him, his first attempt was ‘You used to be a man?’ HIV was therefore quite an anti-climax. I’d be lying if I said it’s been six and a half years of complete Mills and Boon bliss. His lurid workaholism through much of our relationship may have led to some issues for me, and no doubt he could rattle off a long list of my shortcomings, but HIV has never been a contributing factor to any of our problems. He may patrol the house, looking for misdemeanours of the untidiness kind, like Captain Von Trapp on crack, but he remains the most beautiful, compassionate, extraordinary man I’ve ever met and is now my very best friend. ‘Solid as a rock’ we are, in the uplifting words of Ashford and Simpson. So I get off referring to him as my husband, and flashing my slightly obscene engagement rock, but hey, I’m a newly wed so it’s my prerogative (in the words of Bobby Brown, or Britney if we want to get truly squalid). A toast to my husband – it ends here with you.

“Marriage number 2, in the grand scheme of things was probably my Big Mistake. My defining moment of gut wrenching stupidity. Hated by all of my friends, husband number 2 was a loathsome American, with a penchant for college boys and excessive alcohol consumption. I suppose the wedding was fun, but before the confetti settled we soon discovered that the only thing we had in common was our mutual loathing for each other. And a couple of months later our HIV * positive diagnosis.” * 87

HEALTH & WELLBEING AS MORE AND MORE TIME-POOR WOMEN LOOK FOR STRESS-FREE SERVICES TO COME TO THEM, MOBILE PAMPERING AND GROOMING IS ON THE RISE. SINCE CATERING TO THIS EVER-EXPANDING MARKET, TOP HAIRDRESSER EZEQUIEL HAS BUILT UP A LOYAL AND SATISFIED CLIENT BASE. HELENA MORGAN GETS THE EZEQUIEL TREATMENT

HOME COMFORTS A s a woman with a jam-packed diary and never having mastered the knack of GHDs straightners, somewhere near the top of my “pampered woman” wish list was a hairdresser who could come to me and fit in with my self-induced, whirlwind schedule. Hey Presto! Ezequiel. So in the comfort and privacy of your own home (no more skiving off work early, frantic stolen lunch hours and packed Saturday appointments) Ezequiel will fit into your timetable. He will even visit your place of work. Originally training in his native country Portugal, and with years of experience in the salons of Lisbon, working for the Portuguese and Brazilian communities (who have high standards in grooming!), Ezequiel can cater expertly for a range of cultures and hair types – something not readily available in the UK’s often segregated world of hairdressing. For those of you have battered your hair with chemicals and hot styling gadgets, Ezequiel’s bag of tricks includes an impressive array of products including a brilliant conditioning treatment from Brazil, Vita Amazonia’s Capillary Intensive Recovery - a

BUSY WOMEN I n today’s world so many women are in positions in the business sector and for maximum impact as well as a good CV, they are expected to present a confident demeanour and look the part, smart haircut, suitable clothes, minimalist make-up and jewellery and a glowing skin. At Face-shapers we offer many treatments/therapies to help all of the above, especially a complete non surgical make-over, stress reduction therapy prior to interviews or exams which would also include overcoming shyness, improved ability to communicate at interviews and where required confidence to achieve your goals. Special courses are also available for accelerated learning, speed reading and memory recall.

AHA AND GLYCOLIC THERAPY

The latest work on skin rejuvenation from the USA From a recent *article in the USA,

K Repinski reports that Dr Thomas Baker, Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at Miami University School of Medicine, states that he has “Never seen SKIN CANCER on anyone who has had a Chemi Peel. AHA or Chemi Peels diminishes age spots and fine lines, fades skin discolorations, improves mild acne and strips off sun damaged PRECANCEROUS cells...” Dr Baker also states that “. . .A light skin peel is equivalent to a years Retin A treatment”, Longevity Magazine

Face-shapers use many different products AHA and Glycolic as well as offer treatments to refine the skin and minimise open pores, to re contour the cheeks, filling lines and smoothing troubled brows, also available inch and weight loss program and a unique stretch mark program. Semi permanent makeup to accentuate the eye area with eye lash enhancement to open up the eye space, natural lip lines all semi permanent make-up helps to

professional range which restores hair and counteracts any follicle abuse – not just empty promises – this actually works (believe me – I’ve tried it!). Exuding the best of European flair and style, Ezequiel’s services include blow drying, highlighting, relaxing, deep hydrating treatment, head massaging, all at way below salon prices – but with top salon expertise! Modern and upbeat, he can master a range of styles from the classical to the head-turning, as he says: “I get a lot of satisfaction out of the variety in styling, from both the very classical and formal styles, as well as from the most current modern styles, where my imagination can run a little amok!” He says of his industry: “The greatest ‘up’ is getting the personal satisfaction of seeing the client’s positive reaction to my hard work and the direst ‘down’ is dealing with all the necessary bureaucracy required to running one’s own business!”

To make an appointment with Ezequiel call (mobile) tel: 0785 255 7571. Ezequiel works within the Central and Greater London area. Email: ezequiel.stylist@hotmail.co.uk.

Sally Wilson SEN. MF Phys. BABTAC. Aff CIDESCO. IPTI. A.I.A. Inc. USA

At Faceshapers we offer many treatments/ therapies to help everything, especially a complete non surgical make-over and stress reduction therapy prior to interviews

decrease the amount of time needed to prepare every morning for your busy lifestyle. •N utritional and eating advise available for each individual client to fit in with their routine. •A ll treatments are confidential available in Manchester and London.

Face-shapers, Sally and Samantha Wilson, T: 0870 442 3033, www.face-shapers.com sallyandsam@face-shapers.com, London & Manchester

L A S R E V I UN Order

HEALTH & WELLBEING

CELEBRITY ASTROLOGER AND PSYCHIC MICHELE KNIGHT IS FINDING MORE AND MORE DEMAND FOR HER SKILLS FROM PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AND IN THE CORPORATE WORLD. HERE SHE GIVES YOU AN INSIGHT INTO THE WONDERS OF COSMIC ORDERING. BELIEVER OR NOT, READ ON…..YOU MAY BE SURPRISED……

“A good way to start is to write down ten key points in your life and then work on the ones that you believe that you can change. Start small and work on things that you really need to come in that would make a difference.”

s an astrologer and a psychic I have been Cosmic Ordering since I was a child and it really is very simple to learn, the only reason why you will fail is if you don’t believe you can Cosmic Order, believe me anyone can and you certainly can. The first time I can remember undertaking Cosmic ordering was when I was a child and I made a wish for new ‘Chopper’ Bike and it was at a time when it was very unlikely that I would get such a gift, but I did and since then I have been cosmically ordering throughout my life. Cosmic Ordering is not new. It’s been around since history began, some might call it prayer, some magic and some affirmations. However we are now at a period of history where we can see beyond our self-imposed boundaries and create a direction that is right for us and unlimited opportunities. At one time I wanted a Shetland Pony and did not have an excuse to really take on another animal as I already looked after some rescue animals but I wished for one, effectively a cosmic order and the next day I went into the local Post office and the postmistress said ‘You don’t know anyone that would like a Shetland Pony’ and hay presto I had Pumpkin presented to me. Cosmic Orders are positive thoughts and statements sent out to the universe. To do cosmic ordering, you need to eliminate the negativity around you. It’s important to use the most positive terms possible. This pattern effectively changes the way your mind works and draws in the right energy. The first step in learning to cosmic ordering is to reprogramme the

attitude you have to yourself, you have to believe that you deserve a better life, Start by going to a mirror and repeating to yourself how you deserve a better life how much you love yourself, only the positive’s no negatives. A good way to start is to write down ten key points in your life and then work on the ones that you believe that you can change. Start small and work on things that you really need to come in that would make a difference. You will have heard of the law of attraction, like attracts like. If you would like someone in your life that shares your passion for art then go to art gallery exhibitions and openings rather then the nightclubs, put yourself in the situation of where your ideal date would take you and feed your mind with those experiences and this help ring in the right type of person to your life. It’s important that you get rid of old traits, if you want a lover that wines and dines you in the best restaurants then when you are by yourself don’t go for the cheapest burger joint but instead treat yourself to the meal you would like even if you have to take it home to cook. Imagine what it will be like for you in a few months time when you have that lover preparing that meal for you. Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want, see the positiveness in others, not the negative. Order with the joy and expectation of a child and once it’s gone let it go and relax and don’t worry about it just as when you order a book or DVD from the internet you forget about it as you know it will turn up. A cosmic wish is just the same it’s an order that will turn up sooner then later, and the more confident that you will get the better you will get at ordering the right things into your life. It does not matter how or why Cosmic Ordering works, you have nothing to lose by giving it a go.

Cosmic Ordering Made Easy DVD by Michele Knight, Published by Summersdale Productions available online at www.micheleknight.co.uk. Michele Knight’s memoir Touched by evil – saved by an Angel is out May 1st 2008. “Harrowing, yes, but filled * with hope. This is a wonderful autobiography” - Anne Robinson. *

LISTINGS

Find local International Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Month events for 2008 *

NATIONAL LISTINGS

Brand NIVEA: Jo Brand will be striking a pose at this years NIVEA Funny Women Stand-up event 8 March.

Current

Beatrice Offor exhibition An exhibition of the prolific painter’s art at Bruce Castle in Haringey. Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, London N17 8NU, free, tel: 020 8808 8772, www.haringey.gov.uk/leisure/ brucecastlemuseum.htm

Now – Sat 15 Mar

Women’s Arts Association Exhibition An eclectic display of artwork from members of the Women’s Arts Association. This year’s theme is literature - be inspired by poetry, great writers, classic novels, diaries, tall tales and short stories. Barry Town Hall, King Square, Holton Road, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 4H8, Tues - Sat, 11am 4pm, free, tel: 01446 709805, www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NT, Mon-Wed & Fri 9.30am – 5.30pm, Thurs 9.30am 8.00pm, Sat 10.00am - 4.00pm, free, tel: 020 7320 2222

Now – Fri 28 Mar

Fri 29 Feb

Sinners, scroungers, saints: Lone mothers, past and present From First World War widows to the ‘Vicky Pollard’ stereotype of teenage mothers, ‘Sinners, scroungers, saints’ explores the ways in which lone mothers have been represented over time. Developed in collaboration with One Parent Families|Gingerbread, the exhibtion showcases new research, challenges common perceptions and tells the stories of lone mothers from the 1800s to the present day. The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan University, 25 New friends made along the way: Ake Safar’s experiences in India are on display from 3 March.

Talk To Me The true-life story of Ralph Waldo “Petey” Greene Jr during the mid-to-late 1960s, in Washington D.C. A story of friendship between two men Petey Greene & Dewey Hughes. The film’s centre point is the devastating effect of Dr Martin Luther King’s assassination on America. Followed by talk with the films director Kasi Lemmons. Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR, 8.30 – 11.15 pm, £8/£7 Concessions, www.imagesofblackwomen.com

Fri 29 Feb – Sun 2 Mar

Images of Black Women Film Festival Showcasing a breathtaking variety of films from African descent women filmmakers with a Hollywood theme and a vibrant selection of films from the

Diaspora, Senegal, Barbados, Niger, Haiti & Guadeloupe. All screenings will be followed by discussion panels. Venue and prices vary depending on screening, tel: 020 7328 1000, www.imagesofblackwomen.com

Sat 1 Mar

Children’s Corner @ Images of Black Women A selection of four kids-friendly short films from all over the world. Movies include The Wolf’s Eye (L’œil du Loup), The Magic Of Anansi, From Far Away and Christopher Changes His Name. Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR, 11am – 12.30pm, £5/£3.50 Concessions, www.imagesofblackwomen.com

Sat 1 Mar

Women’s Appreciation Day The day includes Baroness Pola Uddin and Councillor Denise Jones speaking about their careers, an exhibition depicting women of achievement throughout history, information stalls by organisations providing support on employment and training, workshops on environmental issues and business training advice and support by local business women.

London Muslim Centre, 46 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1JX, 10.30am – 2.30pm, free, tel: 020 7650 3023

Sat 1 Mar

Phat Girlz Mo’Nique stars as Jazmin Biltmore is one of a group of three friends that includes her very hot & thin cousin Mia and her frumpy friend Stacey. Jazmin dreams of starting her own fashion line for big girls. Meanwhile her crash diets are not working and she hasn’t been with a man in nine months. Then she wins a trip to Palm Springs and meets Tunde - Jimmy JeanLouis better know as the Haitian in TV series Heroes -a Nigerian doctor, for whom big means beautiful. Followed by discussion with actor Jimmy Jean-Louis. Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR, 5 – 8pm, £8/£7 Concessions, www.imagesofblackwomen.com

Sun 2 Mar

African Women Directors shorts This exceptional and unique forum introduces 3 films from African women directors. Did you know why African women have such beautiful smile? Have you ever heard of the film genre: the African

NATIONAL LISTINGS

Western? Have you ever wondered how Muslim & NonMuslim people have shared the same country in peace for centuries? Be prepared to be taken you by surprise. Followed by Q & A with directors Rahmatou Keïta from Niger and Angèle Diabang Brener from Senegal. Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR, 5.30 – 8pm, £8/£7 Concessions, www.imagesofblackwomen.com

Sun 2 Mar

Beah: A Black Woman Speaks Directed by Lisa Gay Hamilton, this movie chornicles the remarkable life of the AfricanAmerican actress, poet, teacher, dancer, and political activist Beah Richards. From Vicksburg Mississippi to Broadway to Hollywood, Beah remained committed to two cultures she loved deeply, the arts and the African American community. This is a story of a revolutionary’s tireless struggle for freedom through her artistry. Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH, 4 - 6pm, £8/£7 Concessions, Box

Office: 020 7930 3647, www.imagesofblackwomen.com

Sun 2 Mar

Cousins Jessica is a young Haitian woman whose quiet life in Portau-Prince is turned upside down when her father suddenly dies. Without him around to pay the bills she soon finds herself out on the street. But she is taken in by her friend Johanne, a woman who lives out of the “generosity” of her many lovers. When Johanne is hospitalised, Jessica is left with some difficult decisions. Will Jessica be able to resist the temptation? Will she resist the sincere love of the young Bobb, the sex appeal of the dangerous Ralph or the sexual appetite of the millionaire Félix? Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR, 8.30 – 10.50pm, £8/£7 Concessions, www.imagesofblackwomen.com

Sun 2 Mar

Lynne Franks at One Life One Life is the one-stop venue for life transformation and Lynne will be presenting an inter-active experience from the main stage

on Saturday and Sunday on how you can create a life of creative fulfillment and abundance. The SEED team will be on our stand to discuss how we can support you in starting your own business. 380 Kensington High Street, London, W14 8NL, Fri 1 – 7pm, Sat 10am – 6pm, Sun 10 – 5pm, £25/£10 Concesstions, www.onelifelive.co.uk

Sun 2 Mar

Women And Work The event will celebrate the diversity of professional women and their non traditional occupations. There will be exhibition demonstrating different jobs and focussing on small businesses and the opportunity to join in discussions with a variety of women workers including actresses, journalists, dancers, singers, newscasters, nurses, councillors, teachers, policewoman and volunteer workers. Kollun, 55 Ben Johnson Road, London, E1 4SA, 11am – 4pm, free, tel: 020 7790 0010

Sun 2 Mar

Jobs For The Girls: A Tale of

Women’s Work in the East End The event will include two performances and a display entitled Women and Work in Tower Hamlets which will consist of a series of interviews with women who live or work in Tower Hamlets of all ages and ethnicity. Ragged School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield Road , London, E3 4RR, 2 – 5pm, free, tel: 020 8980 6405

Sun 2 Mar

Motherland Play The heartbreaking and heroic journeys of women and children who have sought refuge in the United Kingdom brought to life in a play through personal testimony by refugees and performances by leading actors, including Juliet Stevenson. The Young Vic Theatre, 66 The Cut, London, SE1 8LZ, 6pm, £10 or free if asylum seeker, tel: 020 7922 2922, www.youngvic.org

Sun 2 Mar

Merchant City Historic Walking Tour Join a walking tour with facilitator Anita Shelton and learn hidden history about the

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY CONFERENCE:

PRESSURES, RISKS & CONSEQUENCES OF ‘HONOUR’ A conference to raise awareness of ‘honour’ related abuse within families has been organised to take place at City Hall. Cardiff Council, in partnership with the Henna Foundation, have arranged the free oneday conference entitled Pressures, Risks & Consequences of ‘Honour’ Related Abuse within Families: The Shackles of ‘Honour’ Codified Behaviour, which is the first of its kind in Cardiff. The conference will be held on March 4 between 9am and 4.30pm and will provide the opportunity for attendees to listen, engage, question and exchange discussions with internationallyrecognised professionals and champions in the field of ‘honour’ based violence and abuses. The conference is aimed at front line practitioners and policy officers, including Cardiff Council staff

and managers, education, health and social care staff, domestic violence officers, community safety officers, government departments, voluntary and community sector groups, Shahien Taj, director of the Henna police, the Crown Foundation Prosecution Service and law agencies, who could all benefit from increasing knowledge and understanding of honour related abuse within families, its impacts and consequences.

Guest speakers at the conference include Nazir Afzal, OBE, director of the Crown Prosecution Service, London West; Shahien Taj, director of the Henna Foundation; Jagdeesh Singh, brother of honour victim Surjit Athwal and Wayne Ives, head of the Forced Marriage Unit at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, among others. Driven by the philosophy of equal opportunities for all and charged with the statutory duty of care, Cardiff Council and the Henna Foundation invites people who think their work might bring them into contact with honour related abuse to attend. Further enquiries can be made by emailing hbvconference@cardiff.gov.uk For further information about the conference please email:hbvconference@cardiff.gov.uk or tel: 029 2087 2418. * *

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Reporting: Fiona Bruce, known as the trustworthy face of BBC News, will be chairing an event on Women in the square Mile 7 March.

presence and contributions of local women and/or families in the abolition movement, find out history behind some of the buildings. Followed by refreshments and discussion back at Glasgow Women’s Library Glasgow Women’s Library, 2nd Floor, 81 Parnie Street, Glasgow, G1 5RH, 10am – 1.30pm, free, tel: 0141 552 8345, www.womenslibrary.org.uk

Sun 2 Mar

Live Box: Zena Edwards Poet and performer Zena Edwards uses stunning verse and vocals to present a spellbinding ‘live-lick’ experience at tonight’s Live Box. The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU, 7.45pm, £5/£3 Concessions, tel: 0121 333 2444, www.the-drum.org.uk

2, 4, 6, 15, 16 Mar

Annie Leibovitz: Life Through a Lens Photographer Annie Leibovitz has produced some of the most memorable and iconic images of the last 30 years, from her work with Rolling Stone magazine through to her Hollywood cover portraits at Vanity Fair. She has also recorded the horrors of war in Rwanda and Sarajevo and taken intimate shots her own

friends and family, including Susan Sontag. This documentary, directed by her sister, is a fascinating portrait of a great talent, featuring vintage footage of Leibovitz in action during the 1960s and contributions from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hillary Clinton, Mick Jagger and George Clooney. ICA, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH, £8/£7 Concessions/£6 ICA Members, tel: 020 7930 3647, check www.ica.org.uk for exact times

Mon 3 Mar

Women’s Support Group The open day aims to promote self-development, self-esteem and create a place for women and their children to socialise and relax. There will be massage therapy, ear acupuncture for stress release, manicure & pedicure therapy, a laughter workshop, life coaching by inspirational speakers, and stalls promoting healthy eating. Bow Methodist Church, 1 Merchant Street, London, E3 4LY, 12 – 6pm, free, tel: 020 8983 5823

Mon 3 Mar

Wise Words with Marion Molteno Marion Molteno, South African author, discusses her novel A

SISTERS DOING IT FOR LIVERPOOL Now in its 12th year ‘In Celebration of My Sisters’ (ICOMS) will visit Liverpool for the first time as part of the City’s European Capital of Culture celebrations. The new look variety stage show will showcase top UK Female Artists including some of Liverpool’s Top Performers.

will be provided by the acclaimed Felicity Ethnic and Donna Spence while local poet Ann Lopez will perform her unique style of scintillating poetry and Vivian Benoni will woo the audience with her award winning dance routines.

The expected full-house audience will be treated to the best in RnB, Jazz and Reggae by the legendary ‘Queens of Lovers Rock’ Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson, saxophonist Yolanda Brown along with Liverpool’s own Jennifer John and the One Voice Merseyside Choir. Top class comedy

Tony Fairweather, Managing Director of TWT Productions and founder of ICOMS said, “It’s a great honour for us to bring the show

On March 7th 2008 The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall will host Sisters, celebrating International Women’s Month.

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to the European Capital of Culture, Liverpool. It is our intention that the show will become a fixture in Liverpool’s annual calendar of events.” Tickets prices range from £20 for Box seats to £15 and £10 for other seating areas. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets can be purchased from the Royal Philharmonic Hall Box office at 0151 709 3789 or by visiting www.liverpoolphil.com.

NATIONAL LISTINGS

Mum’s the word: One of the pictures from Mothers and Daughters, on display from 8 March.

an entry fee, listeners and performers equally welcomed! The event on Tuesday 4th March is the precursor to International Women’s Week 2008 - come along and enjoy! The Exhibition Hotel, Bootham Bar, York, YO30 7BW, 7.30 9pm, free, tel: 07914 271 871, yorkspokenword@yahoo.co.uk

Tue 4 Mar

Come and celebrate International Women’s Day with us here at Family Action Benchill. Focussing on the changing roles of women in society since the First World War. Free exhibition, displays, refreshments and pampering. Family Action Benchill, 59 Gladeside Road, Benchill, M22 9QZ, 12 – 3pm, tel: 0161 945 4274 Shield of Coolest Air, set among Somali refugees in London. Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, 6.30pm, free, tel: 020 7247 2584

Mon 3 Mar

Get active for International Women’s Day Women and girls from across Northampton are being invited to take part in a fun packed activity day available to all ladies aged 12 and over. Admission costs £2.50 and includes unlimited activities through the day. Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Clannell Road, Hunsbury, Northampton, NN4 0RX, 9.30am – 5pm, £2.50, tel: 01604 837704, www.northampton.gov.uk

Mon 3 Mar – Fri 28 Mar

Ake Safar… A journey This enchanting exhibition depicts the journey of Prabhjot VirdiSingh on her travels through India. Full of people and places of mystery and surprise, the photographs paint the road that she took through the hills and valleys of the land. The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU, 10am – 6pm, free, tel: 0121 333

2444, www.the-drum.org.uk

Tues 4 Mar

Conference: Pressures, Risks & Consequences of ‘Honour’ Guest speakers at the conference include Nazir Afzal, OBE, director of the Crown Prosecution Service, London West; Shahien Taj, director of the Henna Foundation; Jagdeesh Singh, brother of honour victim Surjit Athwal and Wayne Ives, head of the Forced Marriage Unit at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, among others. County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW, 9am – 4.30pm, free, tel: 029 2087 2418, www.cardiff.gov.uk

Tues 4 Mar

Women and Work in the Isle of Dogs Women will present their work in education, health and crafts and show how through a wide range of activities and training opportunities they can develop their networking, skills and self confidence and open up new chances of employment. Club 55, Stewart Street, London, E14 3JH, 11am – 1.30pm, free, tel: 020 7987 7930

Tues 4 Mar

Women’s Film Screening A Screening of a series of short films on the lives of women around the world focussing on the theme of empowerment, made by the Television Trust for the Environment, followed by discussion and refreshments. The Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU, 6 – 9pm, free, tel: 020 7377 8725

Tue 4 Mar

Returning to SET Are you a woman wishing to return to SET (Science, Engineering, Technology) after a break? If so, come along and hear Louise McInnes from the UKRC talk about the support they offer to returners. Want to get back into research? Olga Gandelman will talk about how a Daphne Jackson Trust Fellowship can help you return to research after a break. Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge Science Park, 12:15pm, £4 members/£8 nonmembers.

Tue 4 Mar

The Spoken Word Poetry & Prose Open Mic hosted by Rose Drew This event is held on the first Tuesday of every month. Never

Wed 5 Mar

Wise Words with Cupcake Brown African American writer Cupcake Brown arrives from the USA to discuss her memoir A Piece of Cake. Tea and cupcakes will be served. (See page 99) Rich Mix 35-47, Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, 6.30pm, free, tel: 020 7247 2584

Wed 5 Mar

Celebratory bike ride Starting just after midday, Bath Council is inviting everyone to join a bike ride to mark the upcoming International Women’s Day. Tea and Trade, Church Street, Radstock, BA3 3QG, 1.30pm, free but registration required, tel: 0797 201 4448, www.bathnes.gov.uk

Thurs 6 Mar – Fri 14 Mar

Birds Eye View 2008 Film Festival This film festival includes features, shorts, documantaries, training events with comedy retrospective. It will highlight how innovation explores traditional filmmaking with fitting with* *

Ticket to ride: Oscar nominated Persepolis, about a girl sent to Vienna when her home in Iran becomes too unsafe during the 1979 revolution.

internet and other technologies. Guests include Maureen Lipman and Imogen Heap. For full programme, venue and prices see www.birds-eye-view.co.uk, tel: 020 7704 9435

Thurs 6 Mar

Film Mujeres Libres - “Free Women” Thurs 6 March, 7pm The events of 1936–1939 brought massive upheavals to the daily lives of Spanish people. Working class women, in particular, participated in and witnessed great progressive changes as the old order of church and domestic culture were swept away by social revolution and war. Haringey Independent Cinema, West Green Learning Centre, West Green Road, London, N15 3RB, 7pm, £3/£2 Concessions, www.haringey.org.uk/hic

Thurs 6 Mar

Pandora Project Film – “Sleeping With the Enemy” Sleeping with the Enemy: A Hollywood film that depicts realities of domestic violence. A domestic violence phone help line in both Greek and English will then be available until the 15th March. Followed by discussion with speakers in Greek and English. Greek Cypriot Women’s Centre, Denmark Rd, Haringey, N8 ODZ, 10.30am – 1.30pm, free, tel: 020 8348 9001, www.haringeywomen.org.uk

Thurs 6 Mar

Cupcake Brown Talk Cupcake Brown will Later with: Joolz Denby, be

writer of Billie Morgan, who is in London 6 March.

telling the amazing story of her life’s journey through rape, teenage prostitution, street crime and drug addiction to graduation from law school and becoming a successful prosecuting attorney in the California Supreme Court. Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL, to obtain tickets, contact Kate Ward, tel: 029 2087 3059

Thurs 6 Mar

Joolz Denby Plus Apples & Snakes present an evening of pithy & thought provoking performance poetry led by Joolz Denby, whose novel Billie Morgan was shortlisted for the Orange Prize in 2005 & her latest collection of poetry & short stories is Pray For Us Sinners. The evening also features Mab Jones and Realitie with MC Steph Hernandez. Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, 8.30pm, £7/£5 Concessions, tel: 020 7247 2584

Thurs 6 Mar

Out of the Archives talk Helena Normanton: first woman barrister at The Women’s Library Talk by Judith Bourne Legal pioneer Helena Normanton (1882-1957) was the first woman barrister to

practise in England (1922), first woman to lead the prosecution in a murder trial, and (alongside Rose Heilbron) first woman appointed King’s Counsel. A tireless campaigner on marriage law reform, she became the first British woman to be issued with a passport in her maiden name. She was also a prolific journalist, who wrote regularly for Good Housekeeping on subjects ranging from thrift and snobbery to dogs and old ladies. Judith Bourne is a senior lecturer in law at London Metropolitan University, a barrister and author of Women & Law. The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan University, 25 Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NT, 7pm, £6/£4 Concessions, tel: 020 7320 2222

Thurs 6 Mar

International Women’s Week Celebration The event will include talks and workshops to celebrate the achievements of women and encourage more women to get involved in working in the local community. The talks will be given by our Volunteer Coordinator, Coral Rumble author & published poet, & Naseem Khan OBE well known writer & researcher and chair of Friends of Arnold Circus. A workshop for women who would like to

set up their own business will be run by a local caterer and professional childminder. Plus information stalls on health, education, training, childcare and employment as well as a free celebratory lunch. St Hilda’s East Community Centre, 18 Club Row, London, E2 7EY, 11am – 2pm, free, tel: 020 7739 8066

Thurs 6 Mar

Vale of Glamorgan Woman of the Year Awards ceremony celebrating the diverse achievements of women in the Vale of Glamorgan. Funded through Active Citizenship Fund, Wales Assembly Government grant and sponsorship. Memorial Hall and Theatre, 7 Gladstone Road, Barry, CF62 8NA, 7 – 10.30pm, free, www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Thurs 6 Mar

The Vagina Monologues A performance of Eve Ensler’s play in celebration of International Women’s Month, supported by V-Day UK. Brooks Club, Infant Street, Accrington, BB5 1DZ, 7.30pm, £5, tel: 01254 387851.

Fri 7 Mar – Fri 14 Mar

200 Years Of Bristol Women Artists

NATIONAL LISTINGS

Come along to the main foyer of Bristol Central Library and see an exhibition of work by women artists from the Bristol area from 1800 to the present day. Bristol Central Library, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TL, open during library opening hours, free, tel: 0117 9037200

Fri 7 Mar

Shaping Progress This conference provides an opportunity to discuss the impact of domestic violence, female genital mutilation, prostitution and sexual assault in relation to the health and wellbeing of women. The aim is to raise awareness and open the debate on the need to improve health outcomes and reduce health inequalities. Royal College of Nurses, 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN, 10am – 4pm, free but registration required, tel: 020 7647 3468, www.rcn.org.uk

Fri 7 Mar

Celebrating the Contribution of Women within the Square Mile Bringing together women from across the City, this special breakfast event will offer excellent networking opportunities. In addition, delegates will hear perspectives from some of the leading lights across business, public and not for profit sector on the significant contribution women can make to the success of the Square Mile. Chaired by Fiona Bruce. Great Hall, Guildhall, WC2, 8.30am for 9 – 10.45, £25 and registration required, Belinda. harding@city-of-london.police. uk, www.cityoflondon.police.uk

Fri 7 Mar

Wise Words Comedy Night A fantastic line-up of some of the best female comics in the country, including Ninia Benjamin, Shappi Khorsandi and Shazia Mirza. Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, 8.30pm, £10/£8 Concessions, tel: 020 7247 2584

Fri 7 Mar

Women and Wellbeing Women and Wellbeing is the theme for what is becoming an annual celebration for women in Bradley Stoke. We have an extra treat this year, with a fashion show planned. Entry will be free but donations for our Domestic Abuse Support group would be welcome. For full listings of the event, please check the website. Jubilee Centre Youth Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke, BS34 8HL, 10am – 3pm, free, www.bradleystoke.gov.uk

Fri 7 Mar

City University to Mark International Women’s Day City University will celebrate International Women’s Day 2008 with two free lunchtime events. There will be complementary health taster sessions on offer, including Indian head massage, hot stone massage, acupuncture, reflexology and reiki. There will also be a well woman drop-in clinic on the same day to help answer any work-related or personal health queries. City University, Northampton Square, Northampton Suite C, EC1V 0HB, 12 - 2.30pm, free, osdu@city.ac.uk

and sustaining the communities in which they live and work. So if there is a woman in your community (she could be your partner, mother, sister, daughter, friend, neighbour or colleague) who has inspired you or been a role model - who has made a difference in your life - please put her name forward. Bristol City Council, The Council House, College Green, BS1 5TR, 12 – 2pm, free,

Sat 8 Mar/Sun 9 Mar

York Festival of Fair Trade Parliament Street will be filled with colourful stalls selling products from across the globe. Many fair trade products are produced by groups of women working co-operatively in their own communities. On Saturday 8 March there will also be entertainment in St Sampson’s Square. The headline act will be the vibrant, exciting York Samba band. Come along for

free tastings, quality shopping and information on where to buy Fairtrade products in York. Parliament Street, York, open all day, free, www.communigate. co.uk/york/fairtradeyork/

Sat 8 Mar

Vivienne Morpeth – Seamless Felt Come along and make an individual pattern, and using fleece, batto and a plastic resist, handroll a felt sleeveless top or waistcoat. Book in advance spaces limited. York Steiner School, Danesmead, Fulford Cross, York, YO10 3AA, 10am - 4pm, £30 (includes materials and equipment), tel: 01904 654983, info@ yorksteinerschool.fsworld.co.uk

Sat 8 Mar

Global York – Women’s Conference Global Women presents Just Women 2008, its second annual

Fri 7 Mar

Virginia Woolf Gets a Makeover Two intimate preview performances in honour of International Women’s Day 2008 in the Babylon Gallery, Waterside, Ely. Virginia Woolf Gets a Makeover, a new play by Paola Trimarco, starring Nicola Hollingshead and Lynne O’Sullivan. Turning Point Productions. The Philosopher’s Life reflections on the life of Dorine Gorz., written by Jean Rees, Clare Crossman , music by Natalie Catren. Babylon Gallery, Waterside, Ely, CB7 4AU, 7:30pm, £3, tel: 01353 616991

Fri 7 Mar

Women Who Make a Difference Award Bristol This award is in recognition of the invaluable contributions women are making to improving

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coaching day. Keynote speakers will look at how transforming mindsets can help you achieve your dreams and get the best out of life! Two deserving delegates will have the opportunity to take part in an image-changing makeover in association with Fenwicks of York. Askham Bryan Conference Centre, Askham Bryan, York, YO23 3FR, 10am - 4pm, £20, tel: 0800 019 3922, admin@globalyork.com

Sat 8 Mar

Helen MackFall – Exploration of Colour Moods Using Oil Paint and Cloth Traditional story will be used as

Yorkshire women and their whereabouts in the city. The walk lasts for 1½ to 2 hours. No booking required. Museum Gardens’ Gate, Museum Gardens, YO1 7FR, 10.30 am, £5.50/Concessions £5/ Children 5-15 £2.50, under 5’s free, tel: 01904 622303, www.yorkwalk.co.uk

Sat 8 Mar

Lie Down & Relax – British Wheel of Yoga British Wheel of Yoga teachers will be conducting 30 minute taster sessions on guided relaxations. No need to book! Beginners welcome! Mats and

Guppy’s, 17 Nunnery Lane, York YO23 1AB, 8pm onwards, £2.00 but must be booked, tel: 01904 646812

Sat 8 Mar

The Real People Theatre – Combustion! What ignites your fire? Combustion! is an IWW collaboration of women’s voices from different cultures and different ages. From personal to global issues - what can we do to bring about positive change? Drama Studio 2, York St John’s University, YO31 7EX, 2pm matinee, 7pm evening performance, £5/Concession £4, to book contact Sue Lister on

Stand-up: Jo Caulfield will be performing at this years NIVEA Funny Women Stand-up event 8 March.

Activities at the Baileys Court Community Centre There will be an afternoon of free activities and information from at the newly updated Baileys Court community centre. Bristol Playbus will be providing a free crèche suitable for children up to age 10 but you need to let us know quickly if you would like a place as you must book it before the day. There will be lots to do including free pamper time, workshops on Healthy Eating, Indian Head Massage, Taking Control of your Life and a gym class for mums and kids. There will be information from lots of organisations, particularly focusing on how women can survive in this busy world. Earlier in the day why not join in the guided walk around Baileys Court Activity Centre lead by the SGC Walking to health team, you will be back in time for a coffee and a cake before the main events begin. Baileys Court Community Centre, The Pavilion, Baileys Court Road, Bradley Stoke, Bristol, BS32 8BH, 1-5pm, free, tel: 01454 868570

Sat 8 Mar

A Cup Of Creativity Enjoy a cuppa and experience the creativity of local women in a celebration of the work of female artists and craftspeople from the Ards to mark International Women’s Day. Queens Hall, West Sreet, Newtownards, BT23 4EN, 10.30am – 2.30pm, free, tel: 028 9182 4004, E:Amanda. martin@ards-council.gov.uk the inspiration for an exploration of colour moods using an oil and cloth painting technique. No previous experience needed, all materials supplied. York Steiner School, Danesmead, Fulford Cross, York, YO10 3AA, 10am - 4pm, £20 (includes materials and equipment), tel: 01904 654983, info@ yorksteinerschool.fsworld.co.uk

Sat 8 Mar

YorkWalks – Women In York History A walk examining the history * influential of York by tracing

blankets will be provided as well as further information on yoga classes. Classes take place every hour on the hour. Bootham School, Main Hall, Bootham, York, YO30 7BU, 1 - 5pm, £5 suggested optional donation, tel: 01423 864343, laura@yorkshireyoga.co.uk

Sat 8 Mar

Women only Social Events York Lesbian Line is holding a women only social event and disco at Guppys. A chance to mingle and meet others in a relaxed environment.

01904 488870

Sat 8 Mar

Maggi Stratford – Voice! Workshops An hour’s taster of VOICE! To express the voice we know and explore the voice we don’t! We’ll move to help our voices out, so please come in comfy clothes and prepared to work in bare feet. No previous experience or skill is necessary. Briar House, Museum Street, York, YO1 7DN, 4.30pm 5.30pm, £5, tel: 01904 622579

Sat 8 Mar

Special Event at St Mary-inthe-Castle, Hastings International Women’s Day will be marked by a special event at St Mary-in-the-Castle. Hastings. Mayor, Cllr Maureen Charlesworth, will open the event on Saturday, March 8 alongside chairman of the Hastings Intercultural Organisation Owen Thompson. Presentations taking place throughout the day include a look at the changing role of women’s legal positions over

NATIONAL LISTINGS

the last 100 years. There will also be a children’s fashion show and a range of community performances from Gizmo, Respond, the Hastings Bengali Forum, Russian playgroup, Siddartha Nepalese Society and the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS). There will be a number of information stalls from a range of agencies which support women. St Mary in the Castle, 7 Pelham Crescent, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3AF, 11am - 5pm, free, tel: 01424 446999

Sat 8 Mar

Stewartry Community Health Action Partnership (CHAP) Celebrating International Women’s Day 2008. There will be workshops throughout the day on Dance, Tai Chi and Creative Writing. There will be alternative therapies on show as well as information on nutrition, exercise and domestic abuse. CATSRAND will be attending with information on the latest happenings in

the Glenkens. There will be something for all ages and all are welcome. The event will allow local women to showcase their expertise and talents to our local community. Castle Douglas Town Hall, St Andrew Street, Castle Douglas, Dumfries And Galloway, DG7 1DE, 10am - 3pm, free

Sat 8 Mar

Women of Castle Bromwich Castle Bromwich Parish Council is hosting a day of events in celebration of the lives and achievements of the women of Castle Bromwich. There will be a display showing how the lives of the women of Castle Bromwich have changed over the centuries as well as many activities designed for enjoyment. The International Women’s Day events at Arden Hall have been designed to appeal to women of all ages. There will be craft workshops and demonstrations including the opportunity to participate in make and take projects and

scrapbook projects; (there may be a small additional charge to cover the cost of materials;) guidance and advice will be available to help you trace your family tree; the opportunity to experience Indian Head Massage and Reflexology, Belly Dancing; Public Speaking Seminars; displays by the WI; Mini-MakeUp Makeovers and much more. Help us to make the day a success and book the day in your diary now. Better still, purchase your ticket in advance and benefit from a reduced ticket price. Arden Hall, Water Orton Road, Birmingham, B36 9PB, 10am – 4pm, tel: 0121 747 7150 for further details.

Cupcake’s story is about system failure, societal ignorance, and a little girl who, as a result, resigned to degradation, depression, deprivation, and defeat. Her story is also about choices – good ones and bad ones – and about the possibilities that are there if only we “Pray, trust, work hard, and grab hold!” Most people would have been daunted by the hurdles she faced. Yet, despite enormous fear and grave self-doubt, Cupcake grabbed a hold, prayed, and held on for dear life

Sat 8 Mar

Women Together Against Drugs Challenges and achievements. DAAP’s fifth annual International Women’s Day

Sat 8 Mar

The Scottish Women’s Convention Celebrate International Women’s Day activities and join us in the

A PIECE OF CAKE Cupcake Brown was not born into a life of privilege, intellectual stimulation, or professional dynamics. Her younger years were not a model for achieving success; her youth interrupted by violence and emotional turbulence. At 11, she regularly engaged in prostitution, drugs, and alcohol. By age 13, she had graduated to gang activities and street crime. Unfortunately, life would get much worse before it got better as Cupcake spiraled into a life that hovered somewhere above state prison, at best, and death on the mean streets, at worst.

Scottish parliament to celebrate, with an evening reception in Edinburgh Castle. The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, and Louise Plaatjies, Vice-President, UNI women’s Africa committee have been confirmed as speakers. The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP, 12.30 – 4pm, to register tel: 0131 550 3754, or email: info@ scottishwomensconvention.org

“As an author, attorney, and advocate, Cupcake speaks all over the country, using all of the years of negative experiences, coupled with the positives, to share with others how – even though it seems impossible – the hopes and dreams of anyone really can come true.”

as she learned that there was another way – a better way. She sensed a Guiding Hand and discovered that, over time, a network of people were being formed to encourage and guide her

Cake time: Cupcake Brown will be discussing her memoir A Piece of Cake 5 March

along the way. Leaning on this network, Cupcake climbed the long, difficult, and steep ladder to transformation, sobriety, positive change, selfimprovement, and triumph. As an author, attorney, and advocate, Cupcake speaks all over the country, using all of the years of negative experiences, coupled with the positives, to share with others how – even though it seems impossible – the hopes and dreams of anyone really can come true. In addition to her numerous accomplishments, Cupcake has served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Joyce Kennard, California Supreme Court, and to the Honorable Martin J. Jenkins, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. As part of Of University of East London’s International Women’s Day Celebrations, Cupcake Brown will be speaking on Monday 10 March 2008, 5pm-7pm at UEL. Tea and cupcakes will be served! Please see www.uel.ac.uk for full details. * *

celebration ‘Women Together’ incorporating the Women against Drugs event will be celebrated on Saturday 8th March. DAAP DAAP was set up to empower communities against addiction and has a number of objectives in order to achieve this. We primarily work with Black and minority ethnic communities on education, community cohesion and service provision. Monsoon Banqueting Suite, Dominion Road, Southall, Middlesex, UB2 4BJ, £15/£10 Concessions, tel: 0208 843 0945, info@daap.org.uk

Actress and Activist Beah Richards Beah: A Black Woman Speaks by Lisa Gay Hammilton

Sat 8 Mar

Chester International Women’s Day Chester will once again be celebrating International Women’s Day and all women (and children) are warmly invited to join us! Christine Russell MP will open the celebrations at 11am. As well as a wide range of stalls and displays, we will be running different workshops. Hoole Community Centre, Westminster Road, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3AU, 11am 4pm, free, tel: 01244 402330, d.atkinson@chester.gov.uk

Sat 8 Mar

Aberdeen Celebration of International Women’s Day: Tackling Women’s Poverty Aberdeen Women’s Alliance invites you to celebrate the 2008 IWD event. The programme includes keynote speeches, information display by local and national groups, cultural performances and international food. You will have your unique opportunity to enjoy a celebration of international flavour with 12 women delegates from three twin cities. Please register by 3 March. Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, AB2

1NR, 11:30am-5pm, free, tel: 01224 641122, www.aberdeencity.gov.uk

Sat 8 Mar

Exploring the Eternal, Traditional, Modern and Shakti face of Woman. Equality in our societies doesn’t have to mean that women and men are the same; we each have differing roles that draw out both our feminine and masculine qualities regardless of gender. The aim of the day will be to allow us to explore and develop understanding of the many powerful aspects of womanhood. To help us do this, we shall use four ‘faces’ of what it means to be a woman - the faces of Modern, Traditional, Eternal and Shakti. Pre-registration is essential: http://www.bkwsu.org/uk/ national-events. Facilitated by Rose Kelly, who took part in the original Four Faces dialogue in 1996 and subsequently took the programme to Australia, Hong Kong and Thailand. All events, courses & seminars are free of charge as a service to the global community and are organised by the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK) Global Co-operation House, 65 Pound Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW10 2HH, 9:30am5pm, free but registration required www.bkwsu.org/uk/ national-events, tel: 020 8727 3418

Sat 8 Mar

Launch of WWEB Women into Work, Education And Business - Celebrating International Women’s Day. Workshops include ones organised Sherry Dixon, Editor of She magazine, with Juliet Sharpe hosting. The Auction House, Crescent Road, Luton, Beds, LU2 0AH, 10am-6pm, £15 advance purchase only, Contact: 07946 333297, dee.patrick@ntlworld.com, www.wweb.homestead.com

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Sat 8 Mar

Pandora Project Film –

NATIONAL LISTINGS

“Sleeping With the Enemy” Sleeping with the Enemy: A Hollywood film that depicts realities of domestic violence. A domestic violence phone President: Ellen Johnson help line in Sirleaf, presedent of both Greek and Liberia,is chronicled in the English will then film showing 16, 17 and be available until 18 March. the 15th March. Followed by discussion with speakers in Greek and English. Sat 8 Mar Greek Cypriot Women’s Centre, Keep the banner flying high Denmark Rd, Haringey, N8 The banner is a familiar part of ODZ, 5 – 8pm, free, women’s struggles from suffrage tel: 020 8348 9001, to peace camps. They frequently www.haringeywomen.org.uk took the skills of “women’s work” that embodied their oppression and used them to fight for Sat 8 Mar progress. This full day workshop International Women’s Day is a chance for women to work Cardiff together to make contemporary To celebrate the day, Cardiff council is inviting everyone to join banners, with some short talks on historical and political several events spread throughout perspectives. the day, including a talk by Prof The Herbert, Jordan Well, Deirdre Beddoe on Strong Welsh Coventry, CV1 5QA, 10.30am – Women and a speech by Deputy 4.30pm, free, Council leader Judith Woodman. tel: 024 7683 2386 The evening concludes with a free screening of Julia Robert’s movie Erin Brockovich. Sat 8 Mar Cineworld Cardiff, Mary Ann Crime Writing workshop Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ, 1pm Many female writers have made – 6pm, free but registration their name writing crime fiction. required on the day, tel: (029) As part of International Women’s 2087 2965, www.cardiff.gov.uk Day, you can participate in a creative crime writing workshop where you will learn a variety of Sat 8th Mar techniques and tools, such as Mothers and Daughters constructing plot, characters and Opening of exhibition of local creating tension and suspense. Welsh women artists, with Advice will be on hand for those information about the global situation of women. Also includes who wish to take their writing further from award winning a preview of the Mothers writer Dreda Say Mitchell. and Daughters life history & Hackney Museum, Technology photographic project. Films on and Learning Centre, 1 Reading the partition of India will also be Lane, Hackney, London, shown all week. E8 1GQ, 2 – 4pm, free but Butetown History & Arts Centre, registration required, tel: 020 5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street, 8356 3500, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AG, 10am, www.hackney.gov.uk/cmfree, tel: (029) 2025 6757, museum www.bhac.org

Hedgecock. Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, London, N17 8NU, 2.30pm, free, tel: 020 8808 8772, www.haringey.gov.uk/ leisure/brucecastlemuseum.htm

Sat 8 Mar

Phenomenal Women of Tottenham A museum tour and talk about Tottenham women through the ages with Curator, Deborah

Image and Identity: Women’s Art Morning Workshop Artist Lucy Griffiths will explore how images of women have changed through time. Be inspired to create your own mixed-media artwork. Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, London, N17 8NU, 10am – 12.30pm, free but registration required, tel: 020 8808 8772, www.haringey.gov.uk/leisure/ brucecastlemuseum.htm

CAPITAL WOMEN Capitalwoman will kick off International Women’s Day on Saturday 8 March at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and Central Hall Westminster. Offering your chance to have a say in the way the capital is run, there’ll be an exciting programme of workshops, exhibitions, non-traditional careers and business advice as well as fashion, film comedy and music. Don’t miss this chance to see Angela Davis, one of the most iconic faces of black politics in 1970s America, talk about her life and take questions. This year’s expanded programme offers an interactive experience, with new workshops, exhibitors and entertainment. Programme includes opening plenary featuring Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, Angela Davis, activist, academic & writer, Maria Adebowale Director, Capacity Global, Diane Abbott MP, Nicky Gavron Deputy Mayor of London. Workshops include Women’s self defence: streetwise women run by the Warrior Women, DIY plumbing workshop. Capitalwoman will also host The Market at Central Hall Westminster. This is your chance to buy from a selection of London’s best independent designers and retailers all under one roof. Plus, BAPS Dance Group from Neasden Temple will be performing and offering short dance workshops throughout the afternoon. Come along and join in. Seminars on a range of subjects:• London 2012: Olympic Opportunities • Education, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship • Non-traditional Careers • Equalities: Bridging the Pay Gap • Reduce, Reuse, Recycle • The Capital’s Housing Strategy: Meeting Your Needs • Combating Health Inequalities • Crossrail: West meets East For full details see www.london.gov.uk/capitalwoman/ * *

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London Sport Relief supported by Kelly Homes, March 16

soul with a goose-bump raising four octave range that rumbles from the toes of her size nine shoes to the tips of her flame-red mane. Plus special short set from La Rouge. A very young all-girl rock group from East London with an exciting future. Rich Mix 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London, E1 6LA, 8.30pm, £10/£8 Concession, tel: 020 7247 2584

Sat 8 Mar

Million Women Rise 2008 Women will rise up in solidarity to demonstrate against all forms of violence against women, to celebrate and to honour the achievements of women in what is expected to be the largest women’s march in UK history. March will go from Speakers Corner to Trafalgar Square, where rally will start at 3.30pm. North Carriage, Cumberland Gates, near Hyde Park Speakers Corner, London, 12pm, free, http://millionwomenrise.com

Sat 8 Mar

NIVEA Funny Women Standup Now in its fifth consecutive year with another brilliant all female comedy line up featuring Jo Brand, one of Britain’s funniest women, Jo Caulfield, star of BBC Radio 4, ventriloquist Nina Conti and her very naughty monkey, Bridget Christie, winner of the first ever Funny Women Fringe Award, Joanne Lau, runner up in the NIVEA Funny Women Awards 2007, the musically articulate, Isy Suttie and the vertically challenged Tanyalee Davis. Proceeds go to ActionAid and V-Day UK. The Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, Puddle Dock, Blackfriars, London, EC4V * including 3DB, £25/£37.50

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wine/£100 for VIP ticket, www.funnywomen.com

Sat 8 Mar

Capital Women Every year, capitalwoman brings London women of all ages and backgrounds together to discuss the issues affecting them. Guest speakers include Diane Abbott MP as well as writers, activists, engineers and women from a myriad of other backgrounds. Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE, 9am – 5.30pm, free, www.london.gov.uk/ capitalwoman

Sat 8 Mar

Be a Bradford Bag Lady Come and join the fun at the free event. There will be plenty of activities, information and performances. Be A Bradford Bag Lady and join the plastic bag amnesty! Simply turn up with your old plastic bags and enter our free prize draw to win a weekend for two at Briscoe Lodge in Windermere. If that’s not enough, there’s chance to win a six-week membership to Fitness First, family ticket to watch Bradford Bulls and hundreds of free gym days. Bradford Cathedral, 1 Stott Hill, Bradford, W Yorkshire, BD1 4EH, 12 – 4pm, free, tel:

07900676325, www.bradford.gov.uk

Sat 8 Mar

Songs for Women’s Rights Women dancers, singers and writers present a musical performance with songs, poetry & drama to celebrate International Women’s Day. An exciting showcase of highly talented women and girls. Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU, 5 – 8pm, free, tel: 020 7375 3689

Sat 8 Mar

Women’s Enterprise Day Event with speakers and stalls with information in training & support, International Cuisine, Arts and Craft, Fashion & Jewellery, Health, Beauty, Alternative Therapies & Healthy Living. Performance by the Whipper Snappers – all women drum band. Limehouse Project, LIFRA Hall, Halley Street, London, E14 7SS, 11am – 4pm, free, tel: 020 7538 0075

International Women’s Day at University Glamorgan Events include talks on the history and politics of feminism as well as a screening of the documentary Zanzibar Soccer Queens followed by a Q&A with the director. University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, 9am – 5pm, free, tel: 01443 482815

Sat 8 Mar – Sat 15 Mar

York International Women’s Week Events include everything from walks detailing the history of women in York over plays to workshops teaching how to laugh. For full programme, venue and prices see www.yorkwomen.org.uk

Sun 9 Mar

Storytelling Cardiff women gather for a story telling event led by the Women’s Arts Association. Butetown History & Arts Centre, 5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AG, 11am – 3pm, free, tel: (029) 2025 6757, www.bhac.org

Sat 8 Mar

Wise Words Music Night A very special celebration concert given by the sensual singer-songwriter Sarah Jane Morris who straddles rock, blues, jazz and

Lily Green at the Butetown History & Arts Centre, Cardiff

NATIONAL LISTINGS

“YOU DON’T KNOW ME…BUT YOU WILL”

AFRICAN DESCENT WOMEN IN CINEMA 2008 Images of Black Women Film Festival (IBW) continues with the tradition of outstanding film programming. IBW open’s International Women’s Month with a 3-day-event showcasing a breathtaking variety of films from women filmmakers of African descent, until March 29 2008. This year’s events have been organised in partnership with community organisations such as the 100 Black Men of London and BFM. The following venues: Tricycle Cinema, the ICA and the Bernie Grant Art Centre will host the festival. The IBW 2008 Festival promises to showcase films that increase people’s knowledge of black women and their role in cinema. IBW offers audiences an opportunity to appreciate a vital, energetic and innovative selection of films. IBW wants to encourage people to look beyond the stereotype with its campaign “You don’t know me…but you will.” highlighting the underrepresentation of black women in film and television.

“April 4 2008 will mark the 40 anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. IBW will commemorate his death with a screening, followed by discussion panels exploring the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement with an insight into women’s role during this period.” The campaign was created by Joan Hillery and Avril Evans, two talented women filmmakers who won IBW 2005 Best West London Short-Film Award for Lipservice. The message of the commercial is: “One by one black women come out of the

Crew and cast from Phat Girlz

‘Phat Girlz’: Jimmy Jean Louis, Nnegest Likké (director) and Monique

darkness and into the light to demonstrate how determined they are to succeed in the industry regardless of the obstacles. Their confidence and talent will ensure that although we do not know them, in time we will.” April 4 2008 will mark the 40 anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination. IBW will commemorate his death with a screening, followed by discussion panels exploring the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement with an insight into women’s role during this period. In addition to the IBW Emerging Filmmaker Award, showcasing the three best films of the short-film competition and a richly entertaining children’s programme, we will be honoured with the presence of two outstanding African Women directors who have captured their culture and history on film.

Sun 9 Mar

Family activities: Image & Identity Handle historic costumes and personal items, explore image throughout time, and create your own individual artwork. Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, London N17 8NU, 2 – 4pm, free, tel: 020 8808 8772, www.haringey.gov.uk/leisure/ brucecastlemuseum.htm

Sun 9 Mar

Women of Worth - Walking Tour Celebrate International Women’s Day Weekend with Blue Badge Guide Rachel Kolsky, on a walking tour of the East End profiling Jewish and non-Jewish women alike who made an impact on the Jewish community. Sites of Whitechapel and Spitalfields include those associated with Alice Model and her maternity hospital, Miriam Moses and her youth work, the philanthropy of the Rothschild ladies and Henrietta Barnett and the actresses of the Yiddish theatre. Ending at the Kinderstransport memorial at Liverpool Street Station. 9.30am, £10 with registration required, tel: 020 8371 7373, www.jewishmuseum.org.uk

Egyptian and contemporary, dance performances, shared food and sale of secondhand dancing clothes, jewellery and scarves. This is a benefit for Medica Zenica, a charity working with women rape survivors and their children in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This is a women only event. Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory Street, York, YO1 6ET, 2pm - 5pm, £7/Concessions £5, tel: 01904 788058, info@ circledanceinyork.co.uk

Sun 9 Mar

Maggi Stratford – An Evening of Music, Songs & Poetry Singers Maggi Stratford, Angela Michel, Sarah Dean, singer/ songwriter Paula Ryan and poet Bernie Cullen - along with friends, propose a very fine evening’s entertainment with piano, guitar, harp and words in the wonderful upper room of this ancient pub! Among a delightful pot-pourri you will hear songs by Kurt Weil, Piaf, Brel, Dietrich, Cole Porter … and more … Enjoy! The Black Swan, Peasholme

Sun 9 Mar

Artists Talk: Sanchita Islam Sanchita Islam, local resident, talks about her work as a filmmaker, artist and writer. There will be clips from her films and the opportunity to discuss how she has overcome periods of mental distress to become a successful entrepreneur. Refreshments will be served. Event open to men and women from Beside and other services for people recovering from mental illness. Beside Tower Hamlets Befriending Scheme, 1 Merchant Street, Bow, E3 4LY, 12.30 – 4pm, free, tel: 020 8980 9787

Sun 9 Mar

Women’s Hafla – Benefit Dance Party Come and enjoy an afternoon of dancing - tasters* in circle dance,

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Rebellion: Oscar-nominated Persepolis, showing 13 March.

Green, York, YO1 7PR, 8.30pm onwards, £5

Sun 9 Mar

Women’s Day On The Farm The annual opportunity to showcase the work of the highly successful Coriander Club; a pioneering women’s group which gives socially excluded Bengali women the opportunity to socialise, share recipes and health concerns and grow giant exotic vegetables. The group will be on hand to share their gardening tips, give tours of the Farm and discuss their work. Visitors can learn how to grow tasty vegetables and pick up plants to brighten up their window boxes and balconies. Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, E1 5AR, 12 – 4pm, free, tel: 020 7247 8762

Mon 10 Mar

Decent Work, Decent Lives for Women A celebration of International Women’s Day and a reflection of the challenges women face under globalisation. Host: Frances O’Grady, TUC Deputy General Secretary

Guest speakers: Harriet Harman MP, Minister for Women Miriam Chikamba, Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Union Speaker from Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Marble Hall, TUC Congress House, Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS, 6 – 8.30pm, tel: 020 7467 1239

Mon 10 Mar

What You Can Do To Make A Difference Come along to find out about women internationally and hear about their different situations. You’ll meet people who have visited projects and find out how you can make a difference - without having to leave York! Discover more about volunteering - you’ll be amazed how much you can gain by helping others! York Volunteer Centre, 15 Priory Street, York, YO1 6ET, 3.30 - 5pm, free but donations to charities welcome, tel: 01904 621133, volunteer@yorkcvs.org.uk

Mon 10 Mar

Annual Event for

NATIONAL LISTINGS

International Women’s Day This year, we will also be welcoming members of the Dagenham and Redbridge Ladies’ Football Club, who will be receiving an award, following their consistent success in the Essex County Women’s Cup over the past 4 years. Crèche facilities will be available on request. Please notify Charlotte AjayiMajebi if you require a space. Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU, 10am, free but registration required, tel: 020 8227 2216, charlotte.ajayi-majebi@lbbd. gov.uk.

Tue 11 March

The 3rd Annual Women in Marketing: The Ethical One For this year’s Women in Marketing event, The Chartered Institute of Marketing has drawn together four world class presenters to tackle the topic of Ethical and Cause-Related Marketing. Speakers include Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the Fairtrade Foundation and Polly Gowers the CEO of Everyclick.com. The Commonwealth Club, 25 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP, 6.30 – 10pm, Chartered Institute of Marketing members £45/£50 Guests, tel: 01628 427120

Tue 11 Mar

Future Prospects – Creative Writing & Digital Storytelling This is a two part course: session 1 will be supporting women to write a short story around personal themes; session 2 will turn the story into either a short film or podcast which can be uploaded onto the web. Future Prospects, 24 Swinegate, York, YO1 8AZ, 9.30am 12.30pm, free, Tel: 01904 634748, admin@ futureprospects.org.uk

Tue 11 Mar

City Screen – Atonement Special showing of Keira Knightley-starring Atonement. One summer day in 1935, 13 year old Briony sees her older sister Cecilia plunge into

Poetic Pilgrimage: They may not look like it, but these two women are Poetic Pilgrimage, a hip hop group performing 13 March.

the fountain in the garden of their country house. Watching Cecilia is their housekeeper’s son, Robbie, a childhood friend. By the end of the day the lives of all three will have been changed forever. City Screen York, Coney Street, YO1 9QL, 6.30pm, £7/ Concessions £5.10, Box Office: 0871 704 2054

Tue 11 Mar

York Grand Opera House – South Pacific With a score as breathtaking as its tropical setting, this sumptuous production features a host of classic songs, including Some Enchanted Evening and I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair. York Grand Opera House, 4 Cumberland Street, York, YO1 6BA, 7.30pm, discounted tickets for this day only, tel: 01904 678711

Tue 11 Mar

Careers in Science: Developing Personal Strengths to Shape Your Career. With Melanie Lee, Sabine Bahn and Ruth Cameron. Joint event with Lucy Cavendish College to celebrate International Women’s Day and National Science Week. Attendance at the talks is free but there are a limited number of places. Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, CB3 0BU, 5.45pm, followed by dinner at £30/£15 Concessions, tel: 01223 332190 www.admin.cam.ac.uk

Tue 11 Mar

Wed 12 Mar

Professor Haleh Afshar – Equal Pay: Myth Or Forlorn Hope Women have been fighting for equal pay for over half a century. This talk will question why it may remain a myth rather than a hope. Professor Afshar, who has recently been appointed People’s

Peer in the House of Lords, will share her views. Questions and discussion welcome. University of York, King’s Manor, Room K111, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, 1.30pm - 2.30pm, free

Wed 12 Mar

Hull Truck Theatre Company – Our House Join May - widow, mother and grandmother - as she packs up her northern council house and heads off for a life in the sun. She’s trading her neighbourhood nightmares for the Costa del Calm .. but moving out is hard work - and moving on is even harder. York Theatre Royal, St Leonard’s Place, YO1 7HD, 7.30pm, 10% discount for all IWW women today, tel: 01904 623568, www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk * *

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Victor: Rachel Green celebrating yet another racing victory. She will be the guest of honor at the College of North East London 15 March.

Thu 13 Mar

Francine Clee – Women In Journalism A talk and discussion about the opportunities and pitfalls for women of a career in journalism. An excellent chance to ask questions and discuss possibilities with the Assistant Editor of The Press. University of York, King’s Manor, Room G33, Heslington, York, UK. YO10 5DD, 11.30am - 12.30pm, free, tel: (01904) 653051

Rachel Green leading the way.

Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AG, 7.30 – 10.00pm, free, tel: (029) 2025 6757, www.bhac.org

Thurs 13 Mar

Thu 13 Mar

Future Prospects – Creative Writing & Digital Storytelling This is a two part course: session 1 will be supporting women to write a short story around personal themes; session 2 will turn the story into either a short film or podcast which can be uploaded onto the web. Future Prospects, 24 Swinegate, York, YO1 8AZ, 9.30am - 12.30pm, free, Tel: 01904 634748, admin@ futureprospects.org.uk

Thurs 13 Mar

Persepolis A screening of the Oscarnominated movie about young Marjane, sent to live in Austria by her parents after the Shah is deposed in Iran. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi retells the story of her childhood in this animated outing. Satrapi and her codirector will be in* attendance.

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Curzon Mayfair Cinema, Curzon Street, London, W1J 7TY, www.hrw.org/iff/2008/london/

Thurs 13 Mar

Strong Women Story sharing and zine-making workshop. Come and learn how to make a zine - a small low cost booklet that can be assembled in the space of the afternoon. This event is women only. Creche provided. Butetown History & Arts Centre, 5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AG, 1.30 – 4.00pm, free, tel: (029) 2025 6757, www.bhac.org

Thurs 13 Mar

Partition of India An evening of films and discussions about the Partition of India and Pakistan with a focus on women’s experiences. Facilitated by Humaira Saeed, editor of Race Revolt zine. Butetown History & Arts Centre, 5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street,

Poetic Pilgrimage Poetic Pilgrimage (Muneera Rashida and Sukina Abdul Noor) take to The Drum stage with fresh sounds, intelligent lyrics and courageous characters. This exciting up-and-coming female hip hop and spoken word duo are one of the few female Muslim Outfits who are unafraid to express themselves through the art of rhyme, covering personal and social issues without compromising their Islamic faith. They are joined on stage by Blind Alphabetz’s Mohammed Yahya, and mystical spoken word artist Sarina Lea. The evening opens with a 30 minute DrumWord open mic poetry session hosted in the Frontiers cafe bar, 6.30pm. The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU, 7.45pm, £5/£3 Concessions, tel: 0121 333 2444, www.the-drum.org.uk

Fri 14 Mar

The Sari Soldiers Filmed over three years during the most historic and pivotal time in Nepal’s modern history, The Sari Soldiers is an extraordinary

story of six women’s courageous efforts to shape Nepal’s future in the midst of an escalating civil war against Maoist insurgents, and the King’s crackdown on civil liberties. Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW2 1JG, 7pm, £8.50/£7.25 Concessions, www.hrw.org/

Fri 14 Mar

Lily Green Gig Live gig with New Zealand songstress Lily Green, as well as an open mic night. Come and share your stories, songs and rants! Butetown History & Arts Centre, 5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AG, 7.30pm, £4, tel: (029) 2025 6757, www.bhac.org

Fri 14 Mar

Broken Voices In this Public Lecture Valerie Mason-John reads passages from her astonishing and moving book Broken Voices: ‘Untouchable’ Women Speak Out. Following the reading Professor Corinne Squire interviews Valerie and then leads a panel discussion with Mrs Malati Wankhede, Karua Dhammacharini Karunadipa and Cllr Omana Gagandharan

NATIONAL LISTINGS

Civic Ambassador for the London Borough of Newham. Valerie Mason-John will be available to sign copies of her book in the reception following the Public Lecture. West Building Lecture Theatre, UEL Docklands Campus, 4 – 6 University Way, E16 2RD, 5 – 7pm, free, tel: 020 8223 2884

Fri 14 Mar

Friday drop-in – The Healing Clinic No appointment necessary at this complementary therapies clinic, offering advice and half hour treatments for £12. Treatments include: Reflexology, Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy and a range of massage techniques including Tui Na, No Hands massage, Indian Head massage and more. This is a women only event. Briar House, Museum Street, York, YO1 7DN, 2.00 - 6.00pm, £12 for half hour treatment, tel: 01904 764393, sarah@netfolk. co.uk

Fri 14 Mar

Laughter Workshop Terry Anne delivers another popular Laughter Workshop to celebrate International Women’s Week in York. Come along and learn the benefits of laughter and how to Laugh It Up in all areas of your life. York St John’s University, YO31 7EX, 6.30 - 8.00pm, £15, tel: 01904 750880, Email: terryanne21@hotmail.com

Fri 14 Mar

Cecilia Tuvo – Say ‘Yes’ We learn, with good reasons, to say ‘no’. At times it seems that it is also difficult to say ‘yes’ to life, to good things coming our way. This session will be using basic drama exercises and games to explore how we can say ‘Yes!’ and see where it leads us, opening new ideas or horizons. Cecilia Tuvo has a therapeutic background and is interested in the expressive art, especially drama, to explore wider issues in life, and how they can help us. The Stables Project, 10a Nunmill Street, York, YO23 1NU,

7pm, £1, tel: 01904 675522, stablesdoor@btconnect.com

Sat 15 Mar

Salsa Workshop – Earlybird Arts Come along and learn how to dance La Rueda de CasinoCuban style salsa, danced in a circle! This is an introductory workshop open to all - you will need comfortable clothing and footwear. Advanced booking required - minimum of 10 people needed to make this event run - so e-mail or telephone Jane Woolgar to book a place now! Knavesmire Primary School, 11 Trafalgar Street, York, YO23 1HY, 10.30am - 12.30pm, £7, tel: 01904 653279, info@ earlybirdarts.co.uk

Sat 15 Mar

Women With Confidence A double workshop with a choice of attending one or both sessions. Learn how to utilize resources from women, both past and present, to be confident ourselves in 2008. Workshop 1 is entitled ‘Women With Confidence Throughout History’ and is delivered by Sharon Emery. Workshop 2 is entitled ‘Women with Confidence Today’ and is delivered by Terry Ann Scholes. York St John’s University, YO31 7EX, Workshop 1: 10.30am 12pm; Workshop 2: 1 - 2.30pm, £15 per workshop/£10 with advance booking, tel:01904 750880 / 07918 688876.

circledanceinyork.co.uk, www.circledanceinyork.co.uk

Sat 15 Mar

The Deli Sandwich Group York Women’s Saturday lunchtime drop-in. Come and meet like-minded lesbian and bisexual women to laugh, talk, eat and make new friends. Third Saturday of each month. Bring your own lunch. Tea and coffee available. Yorkshire MESMAC (ring for directions), 12 - 3pm, free, tel: Lynne Bennet on 01904 646812, yll@ukonline.co.uk

Sat 15 Mar

The Sari Soldiers Filmed over three years during the most historic and pivotal time in Nepal’s modern history, The Sari Soldiers is an extraordinary

story of six women’s courageous efforts to shape Nepal’s future in the midst of an escalating civil war against Maoist insurgents, and the King’s crackdown on civil liberties. Renoir Cinema, Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AW, 4pm, £9/£6 Concessions, tel: 020 7837 8402, www.hrw.org/

Sat 15 March

International Women’s Day Celebration Haringey Guest speakers include racing driver Rachel Green and Chief Executive of Haringey Council Dr Ita O’Donovan. Events also planned include fashion shows, music, dance, drama, makeovers, workshops on carpentry and computers,

Sari: A woman featured in The Sari Soldiers, showing 14, 15 and 16 March

Sat 15 Mar

Women’s Dances & The Cycle of Life A day workshop of traditional women’s circle dances from around the world. These dances often relate to the experiences of women, the rituals of life’s thresholds and their part in the cycle of life. Beginners to circle dance welcome, though some dance experience is helpful. Women only. Heworth Church Hall, Melrosegate, York, YO31 1AE, 11am - 4.30pm, £14/£24 self select booking with £10 deposit essential, Tel: Karen Michaelsen on 01904 788058, info@

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Buddha collapsed out of shame, showing 19 and 20 March

Done For Us All In fields such as health, education and politics, and in every part of the community, women have made a remarkable contribution to social change. Legacy! explores the work of significant figures like Mary Ward (A BME woman) Elizabeth Garret Anderson and Jill Craigie, as well as the influence of grassroots movements, such as Women’s Liberation and unknown activists. The day will consider the continuing influence of active and involved women, as we look forward to the challenges for a new generation. Exmouth Market Centre, 24 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE, 10am – 4.30pm, £25/£15 Concessions, booking required, tel: 020 7332 3820, www.lma.gov.uk wellness and fitness sessions, goodie bags, a free light lunch, games for the kids, information on support and social groups and much more! The College of North East London, High Road, London, N15 4RU, 11am – 5pm, free, tel: 020 8489 2585, www.haringeywomen.org.uk

Sat 15 Mar

London Festival of Black Female Voices An evening of oral traditions – poetry, storytelling & song featuring some of the finest artistes: Adelaide McKenzie, Deloris Francis, Mandisa, Ena Miller TruthbTold. Plus presentations of awards for Black

Women Artistes Awards 2008. Bernie Grant Art Centre, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX, doors open 6.45pm for 7.30pm, £12, tel: 020 7923 7658, www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk

Sat 15 Mar

Legacy! What Women Have

Sun 16 Mar

London Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile Join a host of stars at Victoria Embankment to go the distance for Sport Relief on Sunday 16th March. WAG Alex Best, Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke, Darts champion Andy Fordham, Davina McCall and Dame Kelly

A WOMAN PAINTER OF TOTTENHAM Visit Bruce Castle in north London to find out all about one of its most famous women painters, Beatrice Offor (21st March 1864 – 7th August 1920).

Beatrice was born at Peak Hill Villa in Sydenham in 1864, the seventh of ten children of George and Emma Offor. We do not know where Beatrice was educated in her early years, but the Slade School of Art accepted her in 1882 at the age of 18. The Slade had opened its doors to women eleven years earlier, under its Principal, the respected painter Edward Poynter, who believed in the slightly more liberal theory of art education as practised on the continent. There it was slightly easier for women to gain some reasonable art education. Indeed, many women made their way to France and Italy to train as painters and sculptors. Beatrice left the Slade in 1885 with a 3rd class degree, graduating in Fine Art Anatomy: Painting *

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from the Antique and Composition. From 1890 to 1894 she exhibited four paintings at the Royal Academy, one each year. Beatrice still exhibited at the Royal Academy - in 1911 showing “Circe” (which is in the Bruce Castle Museum Collection. She next exhibited at the Royal Academy with “Dear Old Nurse”. The whereabouts of this painting are unknown. The next (and last) time she is recorded as having exhibited at the Royal Academy is in 1917 with “A Tangle in my Garden”. This is the last of the three paintings at Bruce

Castle Museum that can be given precise dates of execution. Beatrice suffered a nervous breakdown in 1919 - it is said this was following the death of two of her children in a road accident. But this aspect of her tragic story can not be verified. Sadly, Beatrice did not recover her previous state of mind and on Friday 6th August 1920 she threw herself from her bedroom window. She died in the Prince of Wales Hospital, Tottenham, on 7th August 1920 and was buried in Lewisham. Extracts taken from Tottenham Weekly Herald, 1920.

NATIONAL LISTINGS

Playtime: Playing a game of “Taliban”, Buddha collapsed out of shame, showing 19 and 20 March

Holmes passed on some top tips to London Milers: Make sure you have appropriate footwear ie. trainers not shoes and don’t forget your socks! There will be thousands of runners so give it a go even if you run, jog, walk and skip, stretch well drink water and have fun! To sign up, or find other Sport Relief Miles in London, go to www.sportrelief. com. The event will also be televised on BBC One.

Sun 16 Mar

Iron Ladies of Liberia In a poignant story of recovery and strength, Liberian journalist Siatta Scott Johnson documents the first year of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s presidency in her wartorn country, highlighting the battles and accomplishments of the first female president in Africa. Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW2 1JG, 7pm, £8.50/£7.25 Concessions, www.hrw.org/

Sun 16 Mar

The Sari Soldiers Filmed over three years during the most historic and pivotal time in Nepal’s modern history, The Sari Soldiers is an extraordinary story of six women’s courageous efforts to shape Nepal’s future in the midst of an escalating civil war against Maoist insurgents, and the King’s crackdown on civil liberties. Gate Cinema, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ, 4pm, £8/£5 Concessions, tel: 020 7727

4043, www.hrw.org/

Sun 16 Mar

Live Box: Ursula Rucker Performing works from her third album titled maat mama, this inspirational performance carves emotion with piercing lyrical cadence. Mixing melodies with words and intertwining poetry with music, the Supa Sista has evolved into ma’at mama. The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU, 7.45pm, £5/£3 Concessions, tel: 0121 333 2444, www.the-drum.org.uk

Sun 16 Mar

Mon 17 Mar

The Greatest Silence: Rape in The Congo Shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), this extraordinary film sensitively yet unflinchingly brings to light the plight of women and girls caught in that country’s intractable conflicts. Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW2 1JG, 6.30pm, £8.50/£7.25 Concessions, www.hrw.org/

Mon 17 Mar

Tue 18 Mar

Lioness movie screening Lioness presents the untold story of the first group of women soldiers in US history to be sent

into direct ground combat, in violation of official policy. Told through intimate accounts, journal excerpts, archive footage, as well as interviews with military commanders, the film follows five women who served together for a year in Iraq. Meg McLaren and Daria Sommers will be in attendance. 180 Greenwich High Rd, London, SE10 8NN, 6.30pm, £7/£5.50, tel: 0870 7550065, www.hrw.org/

Tue 18 Mar

Wed 19 Mar

The Greatest Silence: Rape in The Congo Shot in the war zones of the Democratic Republic of Congo * (DRC), this extraordinary film *

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Write on: Valerie Mason-John, who teaches a two day writing course 29 March.

sensitively yet unflinchingly brings to light the plight of women and girls caught in that country’s intractable conflicts. Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London SW1Y 5AH, 6.30pm, £8/£7 Concessions, Box Office: 020 7930 3647, www.hrw.org/

Wed 19 Mar

Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame Set in Bamian, amidst the rubble of the massive statues of Buddha blown up by the Taliban in 2001, the film is a deeply felt political allegory of the impossible situation facing girls and women in Afghanistan today. Gate Cinema, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ, 6.30pm, £8/£5 Concessions, tel: 020 7727 4043, www.hrw.org/

Wed 19 Mar

Quadrille Dance Workshop Quadrille dance*is part of the

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legacy of slavery, this dance style was developed to make fun of the slave owners with elaborate costumes and gestures. Everyone welcome to join in. Marcus Garvey Library, 1 Philip Lane, Tottenham, N15 4JA, 2.30 – 3.30pm, free, tel: 020 8489 2537, www.marcusgarveylibrary.org.uk

Wed 19 Mar

Lioness movie screening Lioness presents the untold story of the first group of women soldiers in US history to be sent into direct ground combat, in violation of official policy. Told through intimate accounts, journal excerpts, archive footage, as well as interviews with military commanders, the film follows five women who served together for a year in Iraq. Meg McLaren and Daria Sommers will be in attendance. Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton,

London, SW2 1JG, 6.30pm, £8.50/£7.25 Concessions, www.hrw.org/

Thu 20 Mar

Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame Set in Bamian, amidst the rubble of the massive statues of Buddha blown up by the Taliban in 2001, the film is a deeply felt political allegory of the impossible situation facing girls and women in Afghanistan today. Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW2 1JG, 9.30pm, £8.50/£7.25 Concessions www.hrw.org/

Fri 21 Mar

Shazia Mirza Live Shazia Mirzia makes a welcome return to The Drum and kicks off the spring season’s Café Masti with a sparkling new stand up comedy show. The star of BBC 3’s hit F*** Off I’m

A Hairy Women introduces new characters, stories about Primark and her brand new hobby, stalking! The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU, 7pm, £10/£8 Concessions in advance, £15 on the door, tel: 0121 333 2444, www.the-drum.org.uk

Wed 26 Mar

The Vagina Monologues A performance of Eve Ensler’s play in celebration of International Women’s Month, supported by V-Day UK. The performance will be followed by a party, auction and raffle. The Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8BA, 10pm, free, tel: 0131 558 7604, www.thebongoclub.co.uk

Sat 29 Mar/Sat 12 Apr Significant Sisters: Key fiction, key themes Introducing key women

NATIONAL LISTINGS

writers exploring women’s roles in earlier periods, this two-day course discusses two unforgettable anti-heroines via Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace and Edith Wharton’s Custom of the Country; one a contemporary novel steeped in the nineteenth century, the other a satirical story from 1913 that feels surprisingly modern. The course is led by writer and lecturer, Lynn Knight, author of a biography on Clarice Cliff. The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan University, 25 Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NT, 10.30am – 3.30pm, £45/£35 Concessions, registration required, tel: 020 7320 2222

Sun 29 Mar

Women Leading the Community:

Gerty Archimède: The People’s Candidate: Gerty Archimède from Guadeloupe was the first black woman to become a lawyer in France (1939). She became the first deputy parliamentarian in 1946. She fought tirelessly for women and the poor. This historical documentary by Mariette Monpierre will show the similarities and differences between the black women’s fight against racism in France and the UK. The Sybil Phoenix Story: From the 1960’s Sybil was a foster parent to hundreds of unwanted children. She raised £64,000, opened and ran Moonshot in New Cross, the first black youth club in Britain. When the National Front burned it down in 1977 she rebuilt.

She was a leader in the New Cross Fire campaign and the post Brixton negotiations. In the 1980’s she set up the Marsha Phoenix Trust for homeless young women. Now 82 and still active in Lewisham. This film by Lucia Tambini contains interviews with Sybil, family and friends. The rare footage shows how bad racism was in the 80’s and how much we take for granted today. The screening is followed by a discussion with Sybil Phoenix and French women MP George PauLangevin. Bernie Grant Art Centre, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX, 5 – 8pm, £8, tel: 020 8365 5450, www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk

Sat 29 Mar – Sun 30 Mar

Life in Fiction - writing course with Valerie MasonJohn This two day writing course in association with Spread the Word, will help you use autobiography as a springboard for writing fiction. Valerie MasonJohn is an award-winning author of six novels, poetry and non-fiction. In 2006 she was awarded an honorary doctorate for her lifetime achievement and contribution to the African diasporas through her written texts. Clapham Library, 1 Northside, Clapham Common, SW4 0QW, 10am – 4pm, £60/£40 Concessions, tel: 020 7735 3111, www.spreadtheword.org.uk

SINNERS, SCROUNGERS, SAINTS: LONE MOTHERS, PAST AND PRESENT The Women’s Library at London Metropolitan University continues its programme of groundbreaking exhibitions with Sinners, Scroungers, Saints: Lone mothers, past and present. The exhibition addresses the ways in

“The Exhibition will explore the many reasons why women become lone parents, from relationship breakdown to forced separation and widowhood, or, although rare, the independent choice to ‘go it alone’”

benefits. However, new research shows that the structures of family life that many people believe to be new since the 1960s – cohabitation, birth outside marriage and transient and extended family relationships – have a much longer history than is generally appreciated, and that children have been brought up in multiple family forms throughout history.

which lone mothers have been represented over time. Developed in collaboration with One Parent Families|Gingerbread, the exhibition showcases new research and tells the stories of lone mothers from the 1700s to the present day, challenging perceptions and questioning stereotypes. It will be supported by a season of events, including an academic symposium on new research into lone parenthood.

Sinners, Scroungers, Saints will explore the many reasons why women become lone parents, from relationship breakdown to forced separation and widowhood, or, although rare, the independent choice to ‘go it alone’. From First World War widows to families divided by asylum and exile, from the fictional characters represented in 1960s’ novels and films such as A Taste of Honey to the ‘Vicky Pollard’ stereotype of teenage mothers, the exhibition will contain archive material as well as personal testimonies that tell a rich and wide range of stories.

In modern life, lone mothers are often marginalised and are some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in British society. Historically they have been stigmatised as ‘sinners’ and more recently branded as ‘scroungers’, for taking up council housing and

The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan University Sinners, Scroungers, Saints: Lone mothers, past and present until 29 March 2008. The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan University, Old Castle Street, London E1 7NT, tel: 0207 320 2222 or visit www.thewomenslibrary.ac.uk * *

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VENUE List

Barry Town Hall, King Square, Holton Road, Vale of Glamorgan, CF63 4H8, www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk The Women’s Library, London Metropolitan University, 25 Old Castle Street, London, E1 7NT, (020) 7320 2222 London Muslim Centre, 46 Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1JX, (020) 7650 3023 County Hall, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff, CF10 4UW Kollun, 55 Ben Johnson Road, London, E1 4SA, (020) 7790 0010 Ragged School Museum, 46-50 Copperfield Road, London, E3 4RR, (020) 8980 6405 The Young Vic Theatre, 66 The Cut, London, SE1 8LZ, (020) 7922 2922, www.youngvic.org Glasgow Women’s Library, 2nd Floor, 81 Parnie Street, Glasgow, G1 5RH, (0141) 552 8345, www.womenslibrary.org.uk The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham, B6 4UU, (0121) 333 2444, www.the-drum.org.uk Bow Methodist Church, 1 Merchant Street, London, * E3 4LY,

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(020) 8983 5823

Rich Mix, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch, E1 6LA, (020) 7247 2584 Danes Camp Leisure Centre, Clannell Road, Hunsbury, Northampton, NN4 0RX, (01604) 837 704 www.northampton.gov.uk Club 55, Stewart Street, London, E14 3JH, (020) 7987 7930 The Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London, E1 5HU, (020) 7364 7900 Tea and Trade, Church Street, Radstock, BA3 3QG Wales Millennium Centre, Bute Place, Cardiff, CF10 5AL 08700 40 2000 St Hilda’s East Community Centre, 18 Club Row, London, E2 7EY, (020) 7739 8066 Memorial Hall and Theatre, 7 Gladstone Road, Barry, CF62 8NA, www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk Brooks Club, Infant Street, Accrington, BB5 1DZ, (01254) 387 851 Haringey Independent Cinema, West Green Learning Centre, West Green Road, London, N15 3RB

Bristol Central Library, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TL, 0117 903 7200 Royal College of Nurses, 20 Cavendish Square, London, W1G 0RN The Herbert, Jordan Well, Coventry, CV1 5QA, (024) 7683 2386 http://www.theherbert.org/ Cineworld Cardiff, Mary Ann Street, Cardiff, CF10 2EQ, 0871 200 2000 Hackney Museum, Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, Hackney, London, E8 1GQ, (020) 8356 3500, www.hackney.gov.uk/cmmuseum Greek Cypriot Women’s Centre, Denmark Road, Haringey, N8 ODZ Bruce Castle Museum, Lordship Lane, London, N17 8NU, (020) 8808 8772, www.haringey.gov.uk/leisure/ brucecastlemuseum.htm The Mermaid Conference & Events Centre, Puddle Dock, Blackfriars, London, EC4V 3DB, (020) 7236 1919, www.the-mermaid.co.uk Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Broad Sanctuary, London, SW1P 3EE, (020) 7222 5000 www.qeiicc.co.uk/

Bradford Cathedral, 1 Stott Hill, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 4EH, www.bradford.gov.uk Limehouse Project, LIFRA Hall, Halley Street, London, E14 7SS, (020) 7538 0075 University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL, (01443) 482 815 The Commonwealth Club, 25 Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5AP 020 7766 9200 Beside Tower Hamlets Befriending Scheme, 1 Merchant Street, Bow, E3 4LY, (020) 8980 9787 Exmouth Market Centre, 24 Exmouth Market, London, EC1R 4QE Curzon Mayfair Cinema, Curzon Street, London, W1J 7TY, Ritzy Cinema, Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London, SW2 1JG The Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8BA, (0131) 558 7604, www.thebongoclub.co.uk West Building Lecture Theatre, UEL Docklands Campus, 4 – 6 University Way, E16 2RD, 020 8223 2884 Renoir Cinema,

NATIONAL LISTINGS VENUE LIST Brunswick Square, London, WC1N 1AW, 020 7837 8402 The College of North East London, High Road, London, N15 4RU, 020 8489 2585 Clapham Library, 1 Northside, Clapham Common, SW4 0QW, (020) 7926 0717 Butetown History & Arts Centre, 5 Dock Chambers, Bute Street, Cardiff Bay, CF10 5AG, (029) 2025 6757, www.bhac.org Bernie Grant Art Centre, Tottenham Green, London, N15 4RX, 020 7923 7658 Gate Cinema, 87 Notting Hill Gate, W11 3JZ, 020 7727 4043 Greenwich Picture House, 180 Greenwich High Road, London, SE10 8NN, 0870 7550065 Institute of Contemporary Arts, The Mall, London, SW1Y 5AH, 020 7930 3647 Marcus Garvey Library, 1 Philip Lane, Tottenham, N15 4JA, 020 8489 2537 Tricycle Cinema, 269 Kilburn High Road, London, NW6 7JR 020 7328 1000 The Exhibition Hotel, Bootham Bar, York,

YO30 7BW, Family Action Benchill, 59 Gladeside Road, Benchill, M22 9QZ Jubilee Centre Youth Centre, Savages Wood Road, Bradley Stoke, BS34 8HL City University, Northampton Square, Northampton Suite C, EC1V 0HB Babylon Gallery, Waterside, Ely, CB7 4AU, 01353 616991 Bristol City Council, The Council House, College Green, BS1 5TR

Museum Street, York, YO1 7DN Queens Hall, West Sreet, Newtownards, BT23 4EN St Mary in the Castle, 7 Pelham Crescent, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3AF Castle Douglas Town Hall, St Andrew Street, Castle Douglas, Dumfries And Galloway, DG7 1DE Arden Hall, Water Orton Road, Birmingham, B36 9PB The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP

York Steiner School, Danesmead, Fulford Cross, York, YO10 3AA, 01904 654983

Monsoon Banqueting Suite, Dominion Road, Southall, Middlesex, UB2 4BJ,

Bryan Conference Centre, Askham Bryan, York, YO23 3FR, 0800 019 3922

Hoole Community Centre, Westminster Road, Hoole, Chester, CH2 3AU

Museum Gardens’ Gate, Museum Gardens, YO1 7FR, 01904 622303

Global Co-operation House, 65 Pound Lane, Willesden Green, London, NW10 2HH, 01935 864055

Bootham School, Main Hall, Bootham, York, YO30 7BU Guppy’s, 17 Nunnery Lane, York, YO23 1AB Drama Studio 2, York St John’s University, YO31 7EX, 01904 624624 Briar House,

The Auction House, Crescent Road, Luton, Beds, LU2 0AH, 01582 732 655 Priory Street Centre, 15 Priory Street, York, YO1 6ET The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PR

Spitalfields City Farm, Buxton Street, E1 5AR, 020 7247 8762 Marble Hall, TUC Congress House, Great Russell Street, London, WC1B 3LS Barking Town Hall, 1 Town Square, Barking, IG11 7LU Future Prospects, 24 Swinegate, York, YO1 8AZ City Screen York, Coney Street, YO1 9QL, 0871 704 2054 York Grand Opera House, 4 Cumberland Street, York, YO1 6BA, 01904 678711 Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, CB3 0BU, 01223 332190 University of York, King’s Manor, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD York Theatre Royal, St Leonard’s Place, YO1 7HD, 01904 623568 The Stables Project, 10a Nunmill Street, York, YO23 1NU Primary School, 11 Trafalgar Street, York, YO23 1HY Heworth Church Hall, Melrosegate, York, YO31 1AE * *

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ADVERTISERS LIST Appointments Commission Barking & Dagenham Fostering & Adoption British Sugar DVLA Essex Fire and Rescue Service GCHQ Government Equalities Office HM Treasury HMPS House of Lords ICAEW IDEA Islington Council JP Morgan

Kent LEA London Corporation Maersk Metropolitan Home Ownership National Assembly for Wales Northumbria Police Open University RAF Royal Veterinary College Safe Haven SGOSS Thurrock Fostering & Adoption Valuation Office West Midlands Police

RESPONSE CARD

Please cut out and tick boxes from organisations you would like more information about Please fill out the details q Appointments Commission q London Corporation below and post the slip in q Barking & Dagenham F&A q Maersk an envelope to: q British Sugar q Metropolitan Home Women Response q DVLA Ownership Sugar Media Ltd. Studio 4 Hiltongrove, q Essex Fire and Rescue q National Assembly for Wales 14 Southgate Road q GCHQ q Northumbria Police London q Government Equalities Office q Open University N1 3LY United Kingdom q HM Treasury q RAF q HMPS q Royal Vetinary College Name ..................................... q House of Lords q Safe Haven Address ................................. q ICAWEW q SGOSS ................................................ q IDEA q Thurrock Fostering & Adoption ................................................ ................................................ q Islington Council q Valuation Office Post code............................... q JP Morgan q West Midlands Police E-mail ..................................... ................................................ q Kent LEA

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You email: info@sugarmedia.co.uk info@sugarmedia.co.uk Youcan can also also do do this via email:

Or ww.careersresponse.com Orvisit: visit: w w ww.careersresponse.com www.educationresponse.com www.educationresponse.com

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Open to study and work The Open University was the first to make university education available to every sector of the UK population. Diversity and inclusion are at the core of our mission. We bring learning opportunities to students of all ages and from all ethnic and social backgrounds. Similarly we employ staff from a diverse range of backgrounds in jobs such as administration, IT, secretarial and admin support, accountancy, maintenance and management as well as academic posts. We have a Black Researchers Group and a BME email network for staff. In addition, we recently set up a prayer room at our campus in Milton Keynes. We are committed to continuing to diversify. Our current diversity initiatives include a widening participation strategy with a continued focus on minority ethnic students for 2006-2009, developing new methods of equal opportunity monitoring and curriculum and course material that benefit from multicultural and multi-ethnic perspectives and international contributions. We are currently recruiting part-time tutors with the ability to give our students a unique learning experience on a range of courses and subjects. We hope that the substantial flexibility of the roles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which helps tutors maintain a balance between their teaching and other commitments â&#x20AC;&#x201C; will attract responses from a wide crosssection of the population and further strengthen the diversity of our staff group. If you want to find out more about working with us, we advertise in specialist and local papers, with many jobs appearing in the Guardian as well as on our site at www.open.ac.uk/employment. Details on studying at the Open University can be found at www.open.ac.uk

M L O A N

HER MAJESTY’S PRISON SERVICE. GET RECOGNITION. Did anyone actually appreciate what you did at work today? Make you feel a valuable part of the team, make you feel that what you’re doing is really worthwhile? Or, did you just feel like a cog in the machine? That the only difference you made was to someone’s bottom line, share holders or plans for world domination? How did that make you feel? Inspired? Challenged? Rewarded? If not, maybe it’s time for a change; maybe it’s time to be appreciated for who you really are; maybe it’s time to look inside. To find out more please visit WWW.HMPRISONSERVICE.GOV.UK/CAREERSANDJOBS/ We particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority as they are under-represented within much of The Prison Service at this level.

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