Women in Public Life

The first Network Event was organised by three former Active Women trainees. Josie Gallagher, Julie Keys and Kara Mulvihill were a fixture in the WOW office in the run up to the event, and impressed everyone with their vision and enthusiasm. The result was an inspiring and well attended event, held at the Engine Shed on March 25th.

Margo MacDonald MSP agreed to chair, she was an entertaining and insightful contributor, highlighting the conflicting and time consuming duties of ‘private’ versus ‘public’ life. Speakers represented active women at community, nationwide, and global levels. The Cod Crusaders, from Fraserburgh, spoke of their battles with the EU trying to save the fishing industry, the main employer in their community.

Sitting On Thistles - a women’s democracy group, set up under the Scottish Parliament Project - discussed our duty to be visible to and involved in our parliament. Rosemary Burnett, from Amnesty International, shared inspiring, often harrowing stories of campaigning women across the world.

Following the speakers, Claire Duncanson from Amnesty International and Tracey Black from the Big Issue hosted workshops. Faye Milligan, a stand-up comic and actor from Edinburgh, was light-relief at the end of a challenging and rewarding morning.

Women As Active Citizens

Our second Network Event took place on the 24th June and was attended by 35 women. The theme of the event, chaired by April-Wendy Hayes, was Active Citizenship. Speakers were enthusiastically received and shared a broad variety of experiences of being Active Citizens.

Rosie Kane MSP talked about her route into politics that led her to a seat in the Scottish Parliament this year. She recounted with great humour the challenges she had met along the way and those she currently faced. Kara Mulvihill talked of her time on the WOW Active Women course, what it had given her in terms of confidence and developing her understanding of citizenship. Fiona Henderson of the Edinburgh Active Citizenship Group spoke of her journey into activism and educated us about the lack of statues in Edinburgh marking the achievements of women. Susan Deacon MSP gave real insight into the realities of the first few years of the Scottish Parliament for female ministers, including the relationship with the press.

Speakers were followed by workshops facilitated by WOW spring co-ordinators and then a summation from Jane Ford the Active Women Course Co-ordinator.

Both events were immensely successful. Thanks to all attendees, speakers, facilitators and volunteers.