About Us

The East London Fawcett Group (‘ELF’) is the East London branch of the Fawcett Society, the UK’s leading campaign for equality between men and women. ELF aims to make East London a gender equal community, capitalising on the skills, knowledge and momentum for change among women and men in the area. ELF organises a series of campaigns, events and talks with the intention of raising awareness and tackling gender inequality. The group is open to all and membership is free.

If you’re interested in finding out more about what we do and when it happens, then just email Rachel or Hannah at eastlondonfawcett@gmail.com to be added to our mailing list.

We’ll also be posting information about our upcoming socials and fundraisers here – events that will make the most of our vibrant east London location and be a great place to meet like-minded people! Just subscribe to this blog for updates or ‘like’ our facebook page to keep an eye on what we’re working on.

Want to find out more about The Fawcett Society? Check out these links…

The Fawcett Society – About Us

Join Fawcett

8 November 2011 – East London Fawcett Campaign Meeting

8 November Campaign meeting with special guest from Mary Wollstonecraft Campaign – Roberta Wedge.
 
Newington Green Unitarian Church http://www.new-unity.org/contact-us/find-us/newington-green Please dress up warm – we have been advised that the venue can be quite chilly!
 
We will start the meeting at 7pm with a talk from Roberta Wedge about the Mary on the Green campaign http://maryonthegreen.org/.  Please note that this talk is free and you do not have to be a member of the Fawcett Society to attend.
 
After this we will plan for our future campaigns – if you would just like to hear about the Mary on the Green campaign, it is fine to slip out at this point!

Hope to see you there!

Love Rachel and Hannah X

Update – 25 October 2011

Hello ELF!

Thank you for joining ELF:Talks ART last Wednesday. Particular thanks to our panellists Gemma, Ursula, Martina and Ellie, as well as contributors from the audience, for giving everyone food for thought on the subject of women in the Arts.

This last week also heralded The Fawcett Society’s AGM. Hannah and Rachel conducted a workshop on how to start a local feminist group. Please contact us if you would like advice to do the same OR give us advice on how to make the group more effective.

Please join our first campaign meeting on the evening of Thursday 8 November, which will be followed by catch up drinks in the pub. We’d love to see you! We will have a special guest from Mary on the Green, talking about the campaign to erect a statue to Mary Wollstonecraft in East London. We will also be reviewing the plan of action following up from ELF:Talks ART and preparing for the march on 19 November and Reclaim the Night on 26 November.

We need volunteers for Reclaim the Night on the evening of Saturday 26 November. Rachel and Hannah will be manning the stall all evening but could do with some company to tell people about ELF and feminism in East London!

As Leader of the Opposition, David Cameron pledged to appoint women to a third of the top jobs in government. But 18 months into government, women are still a rare sight on the coalition’s frontbenches.

Until we purchase a banner for the group, please let us know if you are able to turn your creativity to the feminist cause in East London and make banners for upcoming events!

 

As part of Fawcett’s ‘Counting Women In’ campaign, please sign this petition to demand that the Prime Minister keep his word to appoint women to a third of the top jobs in government.

 

One of the most shocking things we realised at ELF:Talks ART is that we couldn’t name a single female classical composer! Follow this link to a list of female composers through the ages

 

EVENTS & ACTIVITY:

East London Fawcett Drinks and Campaign Meeting

Thursday 8 November

7 – 9 pm

Newington Green Church, 39A Newington Green, N16 9PR (http://www.new-unity.org/contact-us/find-us/newington-green)

The inaugural monthly ELF Campaign meeting; special guest speakers from the Mary on the Green Campaign; drinks in the pub afterwards

http://maryonthegreen.org/project.html

 

Fawcett Society Day of Action

Saturday 19 November

10:30 am

Meet the East London Fawcett Group (in fancy dress!) at UN-LONE Café,  224 Brick Lane

The Don’t Turn Back Time march, activists will dress in 1950s costume and march to demonstrate that government cuts will widen the gap between women and men

http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?Pageid=1247  

http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1150/151661.php

 

Reclaim the Night

Saturday 26 November

From 6 pm

Whitehall, Embankment, march to The Camden Centre Euston (8 pm)

Over 2000 women march to say NO to violence against women, ending in a rally with speakers, stalls, hot food, bars and DJs ‘till late

http://www.reclaimthenight.org/

 

ELF Campaign Meeting

Thursday 8 December

From 7 pm

Location TBC

Campaign update and a chance to share your ideas for the direction of the group, we will head to the pub afterwards

 

ELF Christmas Dinner

Thursday 15 December

From 7 pm

The Approach Tavern, 47 Approach Road, E2 9LY

RSVP if you would like to book a place

A chance to catch up and get to know each other better, as well as look forward to the agenda for next year

 Other UPCOMING EVENTS:

Mothers to Occupy Half Term

Wednesday 26 October

11:45 am

Liverpool Street Station

Rachel Marina, Harvard educated lawyer and mum of two, will be marching with Enemies of Good Art to St. Paul’s Churchyard to join the OCCUPY Campaign. All are invited

http://www.enemiesofgoodart.org/

 

For our Freedom Years – Feminist Art Exhibition

29 October – 11 November

11:30 – 5:30 (closed Sunday, Monday)

5 Fournier Street, E1 6QE

A reaction to the idea that women share the same ideals, beliefs, ethos and problems – fundamentally the same identity. Bringing together two female artists to draw upon experiences as women in order to re-evaluate notions of femininity

http://forourfreedomyears.blogspot.com   

 

I Love Consent Party – Rape Crisis Fundraiser

Wednesday 2 November

7 pm – 11 pm

The Horse & Groom pub, 28 Curtain Road, Shoreditch

All funds raised will go directly to Rape Crisis South London (RASASC), who support survivors of Rape and Sexual Abuse

www.rasasc.org.uk

 

FEM 11 – National Feminist Conference

Saturday 12 November

10 am – 5:30 pm

173 Euston Road, London

Hosted by UK Feminista with representation from leading organisation, speakers include Sandy Toksvig, reserve your place today!

http://ukfeminista.org.uk/events/event/fem-11/  

 

As always, get in touch if you would like to discuss any of the above and please FORWARD THIS EMAIL or encourage east Londoners to contact us at eastlondonfawcett@gmail.com. Let’s grow this movement!

 

With love and optimism,

 

Rachel and Hannah

Update – 17 October 2011

Reminder: ELF:Talks ARTWednesday 19 October
7 pm start
St. Margaret’s House, Bethnal Green, E2 9PL
 

Please select the following link to access more information on the event: ELF Talks ART Programme

RSVP to eastlondonfawcett@gmail.com if you have not already reserved a place at the event. 
  
Other UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Fawcett Society AGM
Saturday 22 October
9:45 am – 12 pm
The Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road
This is a members-only event so join Fawcett and register to participate in feminist workshops throughout the morning
http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=12
 
I Love Consent Party – Rape Crisis FundraiserWednesday 2 November
7 pm – 11 pm
The Horse & Groom pub, 28 Curtain Road, Shoreditch
All funds raised will go directly to Rape Crisis South London (RASASC), who support survivors of Rape and Sexual Abuse
www.rasasc.org.uk
ELF Campaign MeetingTuesday 8 November
From 7 pm
Location TBC
The inaugural monthly ELF Campaign meeting; special guest speakers from the Mary on the Green Campaign; drinks in the pub afterwards
http://maryonthegreen.org/project.html
 
FEM 11 – National Feminist Conference
Saturday 12 November
10 am – 5:30 pm
173 Euston Road, London
Hosted by UK Feminista with representation from leading organisation, speakers include Sandy Toksvig, reserve your place today!
http://ukfeminista.org.uk/events/event/fem-11/
 
Fawcett Society Day of Action
Saturday 19 November
12 Noon
Begins at Temple Tube, march to rally on King Charles Street (1:30 pm)
The Don’t Turn Back Time march, activist will dress in 1950s costume and march to demonstrate that government cuts will widen the gap between women and men
http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?Pageid=1247
Reclaim the NightSaturday 26 November
From 6 pm
Whitehall, Embankment, march to The Camden Centre Euston (8 pm)
Over 2000 women march to say NO to violence against women, ending in a rally with speakers, stalls, hot food, bars and DJs ‘till late
http://www.reclaimthenight.org/
 
ELF Campaign Meeting
Thursday 8 December
From 7 pm
Location TBC
Campaign update and a chance to share your ideas for the direction of the group, we will head to the pub afterwards
 
ELF Christmas DinnerThursday 15 December
From 7 pm
Location TBC
A chance to catch up and get to know each other better, as well as look forward to the agenda for next year
 
We can’t WAIT to see you on Wednesday and, as always, please get in touch with any ideas or feedback.
 
With love and optimism,
 
Rachel and Hannah

Men cast 3 in 4 votes during abortion debate

3 IN 4 VOTES CAST DURING ABORTION DEBATE CAME FROM MEN When it comes to voting on important decisions, be it the state of our economy or women’s reproductive rights, women continue to be underrepresented. The recent parliamentary debate around proposals to change who can provide abortion counselling saw 368 MPs cast a vote. 3 in 4 of these were men. At the current rate of change, a child born today will be drawing her pension before she has an equal say in the government of her country. The Fawcett Society is campaigning to ensure women have a greater presence and voice in politics – help us!

Take action! If you’ve got 5 minutes to spare, tweet your MP and ask them what they will do to increase the numbers of women within their party. Tweet: I support @fawcettsociety campaign to increase women’s rep in politics. What will you do to increase numbers of women in your party ? Or write to your MP. Find out more about what we’re calling for - read our analysis of the Equality and Human Rights report Sex and Power.

ELF Update – 28 August 2011

Dates for your diary

East London Fawcett Social

Friday 9 September

From 6.30pm

Pub on the Park, London Fields (http://www.pubonthepark.com/)

A few of us will be meeting for a drink to catch up – everyone’s welcome

ELF fundraiser

TBC

From 7pm

stav B’s Liquor Bar, (off) Broadway Market

RSVP to guarantee a ticket!  More details to follow

ELF Talks:ART

Wednesday 19 October

From 7pm

The Gallery Café, Bethnal Green

Gemma Rolls Bentley chairing a panel discussing the most pressing challenges facing women in the arts in East London

Fawcett Society AGM

Saturday 22 October

From 10 am (until lunch)

The Resource Centre, N7 6PA

A chance to hear from the Fawcett Society about their achievements and get involved with the campaigns

Please email eastlondonfawcett@gmail.com if you would like more information or to be involved in any of the above.

Have a great bank holiday.

With love and optimism,

 

Rachel and Hannah 

 

p.s. let us know of any events, activities or notices and we can publish them via the blog and newsletter

East London Fawcett Group Manifesto

This group shall be known as The East London Fawcett Group or ELF

Purpose

1. To make East London a gender equal community
2.  To collectively identify inequalities that exist between women and men
3. To address inequality between men and women in East London
   1. Through a series of campaigns and events to raise awareness of inequality
   2. By lobbying elected politicians for legislative change
   3. By making contact with business and community leaders to lobby for change
   4. To hold all elected members in the East London area accountable to its principles and objectives  
   5. To seek social and political change to the effect that women no longer face cultural, legislative nor economic inequality

Commitments

1. Seeks to form a united feminist movement in East London and beyond
2. Actively supports and endorses the work of UK feminist groups and organisations
3. Believes in the force and power of peaceful organisation and
4. Committed to local activism and believes that this can affect progressive change
5. Platforms a range of voices and perspectives, capitalizing on the skills and knowledge of its members

Campaigns 2011-12

1. Responding to welfare reforms and protecting public services that benefit women
2. Ensuring an Olympic legacy that east London women can be proud of
3. Enabling a gender equal representation
4. Supporting social change towards gender equality
5. Challenging the exploitation of women in east London

Organisation

1. Supports the campaigns and activities of The Fawcett Society and will not do anything to undermine or compromise The Fawcett Society
2. Committed to an open and equal membership policy, fostering a pluralist organization within which members have the right to question the group’s activities and decisions
3. Led by its founding coordinators but membership and participation operate on an egalitarian basis
4. Members must be sympathetic to the overarching aims and principles of the group
5. Money raised by the group is reinvested to support its agenda or donated to support women overseas
6. Operates an affiliated membership programme to allow for effective coordination between like-minded organisations
7. Meets annually to ratify its manifesto and raise its profile
8. Holds ad hoc meetings to update members on its progress and plan forthcoming activities
9. Supports a programme of paneled talks – ELF: Talks – intended to  identify gender inequality in specific environments and drive forward debate on how to tackle this
10. If a decision is to be made on behalf of the group, advance notification (via email) will be given and members will have the opportunity to challenge this
11. Membership of the group shall be free but members are expected to participate in fundraising efforts
12. The coordinators of the group will be open to all ideas, suggestions and feedback from its members and will aim to respond constructively to criticism of its actions from members of ELF
13. Will grow organically, directed democratically by its members
14. This group depends upon the efforts of volunteers and no member of the group shall be paid for their efforts

Her Story, Your Story, Our Story; True Stories on the Heath

STORM IN A TEACUP PRESENTS AN EVENING OF STORY AND SONG SHARING, SWIMMING AND PICNIC BY THE LADIES POND IN THE MAGICAL SURROUNDINGS OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH   Saturday 27th of August 7.30pm – 9.30pm Kenwood Ladies Pond, Hampstead Heath Meet outside the Ladies Pond West Gate between 7.00pm-7.30pm or outside Tufnell Park station at 6.30pm Hosted by storyteller Vanessa Woolf of London Dreamtime Five women, five true stories. Join us at this very special true-life outdoor storytelling event. Plus- floor spots- Bring something with a story attached. It might be a photograph, or a baby tooth… it might be the first song you learned, the ticket that changed your life, or the poem that made you want to write. Admission is FREE but spaces are limited so please email (and for more info): storminateacup2009@googlemail.com MEETING POINT ** 7.00pm SHARP Outside Hampstead Heath (EAST LONDON LINE)   Travel information Buses: 24, 46 , 168 , C11 Trains: Hampstead Heath (overground) EAST LONDON LINE STORM IN A TEACUP http://joinourteaparty.wordpress.com/ LONDON DREAMTIME http://londondreamtime.com/See More