Women's Views on News |
- Celebrating Ada Lovelace Day
- Events: 21 – 27 October
- Sports round-up: 14-20 October
- The women of the year lunch
| Posted: 21 Oct 2013 08:02 AM PDT
Ada Lovelace, only child of the famous Lord Byron, also happened to be the world's first computer programmer. Her notes on Charles Babbage's analytical engine are recognised as the first algorithm 'intended to be processed by a machine'. Her work later inspired Alan Turing as he built the world's first computer. Although Ada Lovelace is today recognised for her achievements, few other female scientists fare so well. Not only is there little awareness of female scientists or their contributions to the field, but in some cases their discoveries were actually attributed to men. This Mother Jones article highlights eight cases, including that of Rosalind Franklin, the first person to capture an image of DNA and its double helix. The lack of the visibility of women in the scientific fields prompted the launch of Ada Lovelace Day back in 2009. It started off as an international day of blogging 'to draw attention to women in technology'. The idea was that highlighting notable women in science and sharing the stories of women scientists would not only provide role models to inspire girls interested in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) but would also support the women currently working in those fields. Ada Lovelace Day is currently celebrated in mid-October each year and has become 'an international day celebrating the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths'. It has expanded beyond blogs to cover a wide range of events. Scientists Maia Weinstock and Anne Fausto-Sterling organised a mass Wikipedia edit, asking participants to add entries to wiki of notable women in the STEM field. Wikipedia has become an incredibly important source of knowledge and the online go-to when someone wants to look something up. But few women feature on Wikipedia, providing a distorted view of history – and of current society – which ignores women's contribution, effectively writing them out. Wikipedia has run into trouble before for sidelining women, when female American authors were classed in a category of their own rather than included in the general article on American authors. Although the editors argued of a lack of space, the principle was that women should be included in the main debate – not in a separate category that leaves men as default. While few women may appear in the pages of Wikipedia, it seems even fewer are contributing to Wikipedia. According to the New York Times, 87 per cent of Wiki editors are men. This matters; if women do not participate in the creation and recording of knowledge – and history – the picture that emerges will be skewed and imbalanced. The Wikipedia edit-a-thon therefore had two broad goals: to increase the women in STEM fields who feature on Wiki, but also to increase the number of women contributing to Wiki. Though the event, complete with an introduction on Wiki editing and featuring talks, took place at Brown University, people could also participate remotely. A Wiki page, naturally, listed suggestions for pages to create and which pages of existing female scientists needed expanding or cleaning-up. The result? Twenty new entries were created and 68 were cleaned up and expanded. No small feat. It wasn't only on Wikipedia that women in STEM were celebrated. This year, the UK’s events included a 'nerd cabaret' at Imperial College London – an evening of talks, live demos and even songs. More than 40 grassroots events took place all over the world, from tech sprints in Dublin to a thoughtswork in Kampala designed to encourage women in Africa to get more involved in STEM. The day generated a lot of press coverage: about Ada Lovelace, about the lack of women in STEM and about raising awareness of the current women in STEM. The trick will be turning this type of attention from a one-day affair to an all-year round recognition of women scientists.
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| Posted: 21 Oct 2013 04:01 AM PDT
Bristol: 24 October: 'Deeds and Words': Bristol 1913 at Wills Memorial Building, University of Bristol Law School, Bristol, from 5.45pm In October 1913, the University's sports pavilion was burned down, probably by militant suffragettes participating in a campaign of arson intended to draw attention to their cause and to force the government to move towards allowing women the vote on the same basis as men. Bristol University students then attacked the shop and local headquarters of the Women's Social and Political Union, situated on Queen's Road opposite the site of the Wills Memorial Building. The incidents were widely reported in the local and national press. Inspired by this story as well as the wider activities of campaigners for female enfranchisement, 'Deeds and Words' is a series of five workshops which will reflect upon the campaigns for female suffrage locally and nationally, their antecedents and successors, in a creative and interdisciplinary manner. Exeter: 26 October: What the Frock! at Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter, from 8pm Headlined by the inimitable Cerys Nelmes (Big Brother's Bit On The Side; 'a strong, funny woman' Inter:Mission), the line-up also includes Alice Frick ('exuberant and perfectly pitched' – Three Weeks), Viv Groskop ('my god girl, you've got some guts' – Dame Judi Dench), and Laura Lexx ('next generation Lucy Porter' – Chortle). Go and join them for their Exeter debut. Tickets £13/ £11 Leeds: 26 October: Leeds Roller Dolls vs Tiger Bay Brawlers at Futsal Arena, Millshaw Park Drive, Leeds, from 3.20pm Cardiff's Tiger Bay Brawlers will be coming to Leeds to play against both the Whip-Its and Rebel Roses. Rebel Roses will be hoping for a win again after they met last year. However, it is bound to be a tough bout after Tiger Bay Brawlers came 2nd in the 2013: A Skate Odyssey. Whip-Its will be playing against Tiger Bay Brawler’s B team for the first time. London: 22 October – 10 November: "Calm down, Dear": A Festival of Feminism at Camden People's Theatre, 58-60 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 Calm Down, Dear is the theatre's latest gathering of artists and companies, here presenting a three-week season of innovative theatre, performance, comedy, cabaret and discussion about feminism. What did it mean then? What does it mean now? Why is it resurgent? CPT co-directors Jenny Paton and Brian Logan say: "we were struck earlier this year by the number of feminist-themed applications to our annual Sprint festival. That didn't come out of nowhere: the boom in feminist thought and action – from No More Page 3 to Caitlin Moran, from Jane Austen on banknotes to Everyday Sexism on Twitter – has been one of the most heartening features of public life in the last couple of years. Our Calm Down, Dear festival celebrates and channels that. We're really proud to be hosting some of the most exciting and urgent art to be found at the crest of this feminist new wave." Here is the schedule of events pertaining to this week: Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 25 October: Freedom is a Constant Struggle: Closures and Continuities a lecture by Angela Davis at Logan Hall, Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London, WC1H from 6pm-9pm Angela Davis is an activist, writer and Distinguished Professor Emerita of History of Consciousness and Feminist Studies at UC Santa Cruz. Her work as an educator both at the university level and in the larger public sphere has emphasised the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial and gender justice. In recent years she has focussed on the range of social problems associated with incarceration and the generalised criminalisation of those communities that are most affected by poverty and racial discrimination. She draws upon her own experiences in the early seventies as a person who spent eighteen months in jail and on trial, after being placed on the FBI's "Ten Most Wanted List." Her recent books include Abolition Democracy and Are Prisons Obsolete? about the abolition of the prison industrial complex; a new edition of Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass; and a collection of essays entitled The Meaning of Freedom. Entry free; booking required. 25 October until 6 December: Restored's exhibition of members' photos at The Salvation Army International HQ, 101 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V ‘Restored’ is an international Christian alliance which aims to transform relationships and end violence against women. The alliance believes that Christian churches have a huge potential to help prevent violence, but they also need to change their own attitudes and practices. This exhibition features photos from members which represent work undertaken on transforming relationships and ending violence against women. Entry is free. 26 October: Feminism in London conference, Institute of Education, London from 9am-5pm Celebrating feminism and inspiring feminists. All are welcome, so take your daughters and nieces – there will be workshops for children (boys and girls) and teens (girls only). All ticket proceeds go towards the cost of the conference. Should there be any excess it will be used for next year’s event. For the full schedule please click here. The conference will be followed by a Stop Porn Culture event and finish with the London Reclaim the Night march and afterparty. Manchester: 25 October: Protest Talks: 'Let's Start a Pussy Riot' at Room 3.204 University Place, Oxford Road, Manchester, from 2pm-5pm This is the first in a series of protest talks organised by the interdisciplinary social movements' research group, movements@manchester, at the University of Manchester. Pussy Riot undoubtedly ushered in a new era of feminism and political freedom with their protest acts. The dialogue so explosively ignited by Nadya, Masha and Katya continues in 'Let's Start A Pussy Riot'. The book asks how we can move forward and unite different voices and generations to create an inspiring dialogue. This book, published by Rough Trade Books, has been created in collaboration with Pussy Riot and links together the events leading up to and after the group's arrest and the themes that these courageous women fight for – feminism, LGBTQ rights, freedom of speech and the environment. Join us for a Pussy Riot support action right outside the University Place building at 5.30pm. Bring a balaclava and show your support.  |
| Sports round-up: 14-20 October Posted: 21 Oct 2013 03:00 AM PDT
Football: Arsenal eased into the Champions League last 16 on October 15 with a crushing 18-2 aggregate win over CSHVSM-Kairat from Kazakhstan. Having taken the first leg 7-1 away from home, they really went to town in the second, taking it 11-1. By half time they were 4-0 up. In the second half they scored seven in 31 minutes. Dan Carter bagged four goals, Kim Little a hat-trick and Jordan Nobbs two. The other scorers were Ellen White and Caroline Weir. This result has set up an England-Scotland clash with Glasgow City in the next round. Glasgow arguably recorded the performance of the evening with a 3-1 win over Standard Liege, making it 5-3 on aggregate. Glasgow coach, Eddie Woleckie was understandably pleased. "This is as good a result as we've had in Europe,” he said. “The pressure was on us here, but after criticising the team for some aspects of their play last week I couldn’t fault them tonight." Arsenal coach Shelley Kerr was also impressed with the Glasgow performance, saying, "Glasgow have proved what a good side they are for a long time now and I'm not surprised they've made it through to the last 16." Birmingham City Ladies are also through to the last 16 after a 4-0 win on aggregate over Finnish side PK-35 Vantaa. They took the second leg this week 1-0 at home with a second-half goal from Chelsea Weston. They meet Zorky of Russia in the next round. Tennis: Laura Robson has parted company with her coach of four months, Miles Maclagan. Since Robson got to the last 16 at Wimbledon her results have been disappointing and her form erratic. It is thought that there will be a number of coaches interested in taking on the role as Robson's new coach. Thomas Hogstedt, Maria Sharapova's former coach, has already expressed an interest in the job, as has Nigel Sears, former head coach of women's tennis at the LTA. Heather Watson continued her run of poor form when on October 14 she lost in the first round of the Luxembourg Open to world number 63 Yanina Wickmayer, 6-0 5-7 6-2. 2013 has been a nightmare for Watson. In February she had broken into the world top 40, but she finishes the year outside the top 130. Cricket: England's women began their Twenty20 Tri-Series in the West Indies on October 17 with a convincing win over New Zealand. This was the second defeat for the White Ferns, who lost their first game to the hosts by 23 runs. Although they won the toss, New Zealand only posted a total of 109 thanks to some tight England bowling. Natalie Sciver and Holly Colvin each took two wickets, but it was 17-year old Tash Farrant who deserved the plaudits – her four overs went for only 12 runs. It was an eminently reachable target and England set about it with gusto. A captain's innings of 42 from Charlotte Edwards laid the foundations. Then Tammy Beaumont hit a stunning 29 from 23 balls to win the match and gain the Player of the Match award. However, it was different story in the second game on October 19 as England failed to chase a good West Indies total of 140, falling short by 11 runs. West Indies leg-spinner Shaquana Quintyne took an impressive 5-16. West Indies won the toss and batted well, Stafanie Taylor top scoring with 40. Danni Hazell was the best of the England bowlers, taking 3-19 from her four overs. England's reply began well with Charlotte Edwards hitting 36 from just 25 balls. In the end she was out for 39. Other batters played well, including Hazell with 17 and Colvin with 18, but they just could not quite get over the line. Cycling: The European Track Championships have been taking place this week in the Netherlands. Both the men's and women's pursuit teams won gold on day one. Laura Trott, Dani King, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald beat Poland in the 4km final. Dani King also won silver in the points race and Jess Varnish and Becky James claimed bronze in the team sprint. Laura Trott came up with her second gold on Sunday 20 when she won the omnium. She was level with Kirsten Wild of the Netherlands at the end of the six events, but was awarded the title on countback. This was a fine comeback after lying only third at halfway.  |
| Posted: 21 Oct 2013 01:09 AM PDT
In 1955, the first women of the year lunch was founded by Antonia Lothian, along with her friends journalist Lady Coleridge and former British spy during WWII Odette Hallowes. The idea was that the lunch would 'celebrate women's achievements' and be an environment 'in which women might meet', or network – as it later became known. Apparently, Lothian was told she would never find 500 suitable women to invite. But find them she did, as the founders had drawn up a list of 40 work categories from which women were nominated. Each and every one of the 500 women invited are ‘women of the year’s – the founders wanted to celebrate everyday women doing extraordinary things, not just celebrities. Since 2001, special prizes have been awarded to the women who have gone over and beyond in their achievements. Almost 60 years after the first lunch and the event is still going strong. This year's lunch, which took place on 17 October, included guests ranging from Dr Geeha Nagasubramanian, a consultant gynaecologist in Tower Hamlets to a leading political activist in West Norfolk, Jo Rust. This year, four special prizes were awarded. Here is a quick look at the winners: Dagenham Equal Pay Strikers: When 200 women walked out of the Ford Plant in Dagenham in the summer of 1968, they triggered a series of events that would result in one of the most important victories for women's rights in the UK. As the sewing machinists who made the seat covers for Ford's cars, they wanted to be recognised as ‘skilled’ rather than ‘unskilled’ workers. The men doing similar work to them in the factory were recognised as skilled workers and paid more. Moreover, the women were being paid less than unskilled male workers at their grade. As the strike went on, Ford was forced to close the plant, at it was unable to sell cars without seats. After three weeks, the workers struck a deal with Barbara Castle, Secretary of State for Employment. The strikers were awarded a pay increase that would rise to match the male workers of the same grade a tear later. One of the strike's legacies was the Equal Pay Act of 1970 which aimed to prevent pay inequality between the sexes. However, it took another strike and another eight years for the women machinists to be recognised as skilled workers. Forty-five years later, and as the battle for equal pay continues, these women were recognised for their courage and outstanding contribution to women's rights. Andrea Coleman: Andrea Coleman was a professional motorcycle rider and is co-founder of 'Riders for Health' – a non-profit that helps citizens in rural areas in seven different African countries get access to healthcare. Riders for Health was founded in 1990 and its aim is to provide ‘reliable, cost-effective and practical transport services for health-focused organisations across sub-Saharan Africa’. This is to ensure that people living in remote areas can still be reached by health workers despite poor road networks. The non-profit started off with a focus on motorcycles, but it has now expanded to include minivans and motorcycle ambulances, and its services include training and mobilising health workers. To date, Riders for Health has helped improve rural access for 12 million people. Marylin Baldwin: Marylin Badwin was winner of ITV’s Lorraine Award, which is decided by popular vote. Badwin founded the charity, Think Jessica, in 2007. It was named after her mother who was victim of sustained scams and frauds. Think Jessica aims to help those vulnerable to scammers and to raise awareness of the extent of the damage caused by scams and how to recognise them for what they are. Waris Dirie: Waris Dirie, supermodel and actress, was awarded a prize for her campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM). Dirie was herself victim of FGM at the age of five. In an interview with the Guardian she described the anger that she felt, " When they tried to convince me that God wants this, I said: ‘Did my God hate me so much?’". She fled home at the age of thirteen, when her parents announced she was due to be married. She made her way to London, where she stayed with relatives and worked as a maid and in McDonalds before being 'spotted' by a photographer. She then went on to become a supermodel and starred in a James Bond film. In 1997 she went public about her ordeal as a five-year old child and her desire to end the practice of FGM. She set up the Desert Flower Foundation that campaigns globally against FGM. She was appointed Special Ambassador to the United Nations in 2002. To find out more about the ‘women of the year’ lunch, click here.  |
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