Author Archives: Grainne

HELP: Knitters wanted for Poppy Project

Hi all. Take a read of the email below from Franny in Hebden Bridge.

Many of you will be aware of the situation with the Eaves charity’s Poppy Project – government funding for the vital, unique, feminist work they do to support women who have been trafficked into the UK has been withdrawn. Meanwhile the government has awarded a similar contract to the Salvation Army – an organisation which is known for discriminating against non-straight people, non-Christians and women. The official reason for this is to save money – the SA are promising to ‘support’ more people for less cash. But supporting trafficked people in a humane, sustainable, holistic way is not a cheap – take a read of this article in the Observer a couple of weeks ago which scratches the surface of the incredible work Eaves do.

Anyway – The Poppy Project needs your support!

Donate now. If you would like to make a donation direct to Eaves, please give whatever you can here: http://www.eaves4women.co.uk/Support_Us/Donate.php

Can you knit? Baby blankets are in short supply. If you can knit (and blankets are no great challenge!) get your needles out and spend an evening or three making a blanket which Eaves can pass on to the women and children they are supporting.
If you’d like a pattern, we have several. Reply to this email and we’ll send you some.
I can collect any blankets made in the Huddersfield area. If you live in the Calder valley you may want to get in touch with Franny direct – her email address is below.

Email from Franny Mac:

knitters

Hello lovely gals in Huddersfield!

Franny Mac here, from Hebden Bridge. We haven’t met (yet) but I’m on your mailing list and hope to come along and say hi at one of your meets sometime soon!

Some friends and I are really concerned about the funding being pulled from the Poppy Project, at Eaves Housing in London. As you may be aware, the Poppy Project helps women who have been sex trafficked. The contract for this help has now been passed to the Salvation Army.

Here’s some linkage:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/apr/17/prostitution-human-trafficking
http://www.eaves4women.co.uk/Support_Us/DonateOnline.php

Eaves/Poppy Project desperately need donations and stuff like blankets etc. Blankets will be used to help in Mums n’Tots groups, and so on. I was wondering – does your group have a knitting club, or anything similar? If so, d’ya reckon you may possibly be able to hold some sort of event to get some whipped up?

If so then I would of course come and collect them. I’m contacting loads of feminist groups, women’s institutes etc to get as many blankets made as possible.

Please let me know your thoughts!

Thanks ladies :o)

Franny Mac
07879 468 530
Spooky_loop@msn.com

EVENT: Slutwalk Manchester – march with us! (Friday 10th June, 2011, 7pm – 9pm)

slutwalkFriday 10 June · 7pm – 9pm
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Location – Meeting outside Manchester Town Hall
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On 24th January 2011, a Toronto policeman told a group of law students that in order to avoid being raped ‘women should avoid dressing like sluts’.

This sparked protest and outrage around the world because this statement
represents an attitude in our society. That if we behave or dress in certain
ways, we deserve to be raped.

Rape is NEVER the fault of the survivor.
…..
SlutWalk Manchester says that nobody deserves rape. If we wear revealing
clothes. If we are drunk. If we walk home alone late at night. If we flirt
with you. If we are married to you. If we are sex workers. If we defy gender
norms. WE DO NOT INVITE SEXUAL ASSAULT.

SlutWalk Manchester does not just fight against rape, it fights against all
forms of sexual assault and harassment, right down to the last time you were
shouted at or ‘complimented’ by a stranger in the street. It fights against
sexism and promotes feminism.

We are tired of being oppressed by slut-shaming; of being judged by our
sexuality and feeling unsafe as a result. Being in charge of our sexual
lives should not mean that we are opening ourselves to an expectation of
violence, regardless if we participate in sex for pleasure or work, or if we
choose not to have sex at all..

Continue Reading…

EVENT: Hollaback West Yorkshire is coming

HollabackFrom Emma:

Hello,

I thought I’d drop you a quick email to let you know about our exciting plans seen as you are a group of kick ass women in West Yorkshire to whom it might be of interest.

You have probably heard of Hollaback. The idea started in New York and the movement is slowly spreading, http://www.ihollaback.org/about/. London & Manchester have dedicated sites and the West Yorkshire one is due to Launch August 10th.

Almost every women I know has been on the receiving end of such comments, the site will allow women to post there stories relating to street harassment in West Yorkshire to share the experiences and expose the culprits who make us feel angry, embarrassed, shocked, scared whilst going about our everyday business

We will be sorting a facebook site, twitter account and email in the near future. However  if you have any ideas, hints, tips, knowledge of upcoming local events or suggestions for contacts who we should approach we would be super grateful!

Thanks Emma

EVENT: What’s happening to the NHS? (Tuesday 3rd May 2011, 7pm)

If, like us, you’e confused and concerned by the Social Care Reform Bill, talk of back-door privatisation, GP commissioning and the gradual destruction of our National Health Service, come along to this informal talk where you can find out what the bill actually means and ask any questions you may have.What's happening to the NHS

Tuesday 3rd May, 7pm

WomenCentre

Estate Buildings, Railway Street, Huddersfield

click here for a map

All welcome

Note: This event is free of charge, however we encourage you to make a small (or large!!) donation to WomenCentre, who are very kindly letting us use their meeting room for free.