This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.
With International Women’s Day coming up on 8th March, The Joy Club will be celebrating women in the arts. Historically, women in the arts have often been sidelined, their stories and talent neglected by a society that refused to take them seriously. Throughout March, The Joy Club will host a range of specialist talks and workshops with the aim to uncover the untold stories of women whose contributions to culture, science and society have hitherto gone unrecognised.
Read on to find out more about how you can get involved…
Don’t miss…
‘Madam Mayor’: The forgotten women politicians (1900 – 1939)
Monday 6th March 3.30pm
Examine the history of some of Britain’s most overlooked politicians – the first women Councillors and Mayors. Some of these women held elected positions well before they were allowed to vote in general elections and, even as women struggled to enter parliament in the interwar years and beyond, pioneering women the length and breadth of the country were taking up seats on local councils. Consider what it must have been like to be among these pioneering women and acquire some tips for finding out about the first women politicians in your town, helping to write them back into the historical record.
Women in the arts and sciences
Thursday 9th March 1pm
How many female architects can you think of? What about classical composers? Which woman won the Nobel Prize – twice? From time immemorial, it seems that men have monopolised the credit for artistic, scientific and pretty well every domain of cultural life. But, upon closer inspection, we can see the active hands of women in every facet of our culture. In this entertaining illustrated talk, we will be exploring some of the more fascinating and lesser-known contributions of women to world culture.
Mothers who waved goodbye: Women and evacuation in the Second World War
Wednesday 15th February 1.30pm
This talk will enable you to understand the trauma of mothering children threatened by war. Drawing on images, oral histories and her own research, Emeritus Professor of Cultural History Maggie will explain how evacuation was an unparalleled interference in the domestic lives of women and a significant but unrecognised area of women’s war work which influenced ideas about childcare and motherhood for years to come.
The hyena in petticoats: Mary Wollstonecraft
Thursday 23rd March 1.00pm
Often described as the ‘mother of modern feminism’, Mary Wollstonecraft (the mother of Mary Shelley) was one of the most influential thinkers of her generation. This talk tells the story of how Mary Wollstonecraft developed her ideas about women’s education and her arguments for women’s equality and how her rather sensational private life threatened to undo her legacy.
Let us dare to be militant: Older women in feminism
Tuesday 28th March 3.30pm
Activism is often equated with youth and feminism has been seen as a younger woman’s game. This is far from the case. In this talk, Oxford MA graduate Lara will discuss the activism of older feminists in Britain since the 1980s. She casts a light on the crucial contributions older women have made to the feminist movement and how, in their own distinctive terms, they have ‘dared to be militant not mellow.’
How much does it cost to become a member of The Joy Club?
There’s plenty more to discover and enjoy at The Joy Club. If you’re not already a member, you can sign up and enjoy one month of free Premium membership (normally £9.99 a month), which will give you unlimited access to all their sessions, their new daily uplifting articles and all the conversations happening in their community forum. You won’t need to provide your card details and there’s no obligation to stay on after your trial.
About The Joy Club
The Joy Club is an online activity club and community that provides inspiration for a joyful retirement. Members can try something new at live online events, find inspiration with their uplifting articles and videos, and discover a community of like-minded people in their forum.
Whether you’d like to try your hand at crafting, practise Tai Chi or join an expert talk – or perhaps you’d prefer to grab a cuppa and settle in to read our latest articles – there’s something to bring you joy at The Joy Club. Membership is open to anyone living in the UK who is retired or semi-retired.
What their members are saying…
“I am a real fan of this club and so enjoy taking part online from the warmth and safety of my home. It is a gentle and welcoming place to be and to be part of.” JANE
Why not give it a go? Join The Joy Club for free today