On International Women’s Day (Friday 8th March) and Epsom and Ewell’s association with the struggle for equal rights for women through the actions and death of Emily Davison, local Labour Councillor Kate Chinn (Court Ward) shares her thoughts on the special day:
Today is International Women’s Day and this year’s theme is to inspire inclusion.
It means breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating environments where all women are valued and respected. I’ve heard repeated the old idea that women don’t really understand figures. Tell that to the three women at NASA who did the maths that were instrumental in one of history’s greatest operations – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit celebrated in the book and film Hidden Figures. A great read and watch
World renowned feminist, journalist Gloria Steinem reported:- “the story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights”
We can all do what we can to support and advance women.
As the IWD website states:- “When women aren’t present, we must ask: “if not why not.” When women are discriminated against, we must call out poor practice. When the treatment of women is not equitable we must take action”
Local politics is a way that women can get involved with their local communities and work with the community, other councillors and partner agencies to make a difference in their local community.
I became active as I believe local politics matter. People need a decent home, to feel safe in their communities, access to the services they need and the opportunity to enjoy the good things in life. We need “bread and roses too”, a phrase attributed to a strike in Massachusetts in 1912 now often referred to as the “Bread and Roses strike”. The slogan pairing bread and roses, appealing for both fair wages and dignified conditions. Now a poem by James Oppenheim.
It’s only good governance that can enable both and why local and national politics are so important to all of us.
If anyone is interested in getting involved in politics then please do get involved and there is plenty of available help and support. Talk to your local councillors and the local political parties. Both the political parties and Epsom and Ewell Council run sessions on being a councillor; some in person and some on line
I believe it is important to mark International Women’s Days. One of the many reasons is to celebrate the inspirational women we have both past and present. Emily Wilding Davison, Mary Seacole, Rosa Parks and Malala Yousafzai, to name just a few of so many women who have made the world a better place.
Cllr Kate Chinn
