Hi all 
First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me, helped with my campaign, and supported me, enabling me to become Women’s Officer! It is a great privilege and a role I’m looking forward to very much.
Secondly, I’d like to bring to everyone’s attention an event that I’ve been organising, with my society (Student Broad Left) and with the support of Women’s Assocation, since before my election:
‘Reclaim the Mic’ Open-Mic Night!
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=282061491827890
It’s happening on the 23rd November, 8pm, in the Underground. We currently have a line-up of comedians, singers, musicians, bands and are hoping to get much more! Every single penny raised is going towards subsidising buses to the ‘Reclaim the Night’ demo in London on 26th November, organised by London Feminist Network.
This bring me to my next event: the buses are being put on my Women’s Assocation and Student Broad Left Society for (hopefully) £5 return! http://www.reclaimthenight.org/
To get tickets get in touch with myself (k.rogers@guild.bham.ac.uk), Women’s Assocation(womens@guild.bham.ac.uk) or Broad Left (broadleft@guild.bham.ac.uk). This event is raising awareness about domestic violence (which affects 1 in every 4 women in this country sometime during their lifetime) and cuts that are affecting women. For example, cuts to legal aid that will mean large numbers of rape, domestic violence and family cases will not reach court (which in the context of a justice system which currently has a rape conviction rate of 6.5%, is pretty scary…)
Now to put across my ideas, and what I’d like to get started on over the next month or so:
- “Women’s Council”: this will hopefully take the form of an online forum, where I will post up Council motions, deadlines for motions, and discussion topics surrounding the theme of women’s issues nationally and on campus. This I can have an accurate feed telling me what women want in their motions, and for me to stand up and defend / speak about in Council.
- Charity Fundraisers: ‘Girls Night In’ Film Nights / Ethical ‘Swap Shops’ / Theatre and music nights and so forth to raise money for charities that can have a real affect on Women’s lives, perhaps through councilling, support-centres, accomodation for women escaping violence and so forth.
- Speaker events: there are lots of people I personally admire and lots of groups that are great for introducing people to the topic of feminism and gender issues. Kat Banyard, author of ‘The Equality Illusion’ (an excellent book which you all should read), has told us that she is happy to come and speak – time and place TBC. Other speakers I will be contacting are Laurie Penny, journalist and author of ‘Meat Market’; Helena Kennedy, barrister on a number of top Human Rights and rape cases and loud proponent of equal rights for Women; London Feminist Network. Any other ideas would be much appreciated!
- Feminist Art: with the permission of the University and the Guild, I am hoping to start a series of feminist art pieces to be displayed around campus highlighting gender issues. This could involve scupture, chalk murals, posters or whatever. So if anyone is arty and want’s to get involved, PLEASE get in touch (k.rogers@guild.bham.ac.uk).
Ok… I think that’s it for now. Just wanted to get my ideas out there. Any questions, suggestions or problems please get in touch!
Also, everyone follow me on Twitter (kellyjaderogers), for updates of what’s going on.
Much love,
Kelly xxx
