Women's Activism Then and Now (including film screening of Suffragette)

About

Join the Sylvia Pankhurst Centre for Gender and Diversity Research Centre in celebrating women's activism then and now!

Pregnant Then Screwed is a campaign set up by Joeli Brearley after she was sacked by her employer when she was 4 months pregnant – the day after she announced that she was expecting her first child. Shocked and heartbroken she tried to access justice but found the whole justice system was failing mothers.

The experience left her lacking in confidence with a career in tatters. She encountered mental health issues as a result. Once she recovered she was determined to expose this systemic problem, so set up a safe space for women to document their stories. This quickly mushroomed into an international campaign demanding legislative changes which will reduce the motherhood penalty, whilst forcing companies to reconsider their conscious and unconscious bias towards mothers in the workplace.

Joeli organised a UK wide protest in October which attracted over 1000 people and her legislative demands have been raised in Parliament with the support of 102 MPs. In this talk, Joeli will share her experience of activism and the difference it is making to women's lives.

Following Joeli's talk is a screening of Suffragette, the 2015 film charting women's struggle for political equality. Directed by Sarah Gavron and written by Abi Morgan, Suffragette celebrates the activism of ordinary, working women, who came together to fight for equality and the right to vote.

There will be a stall selling items in support of the Pankhurst Centre at the event.

Schedule

4.30pm – Arrival with Pankhurst Centre stall with items available for sale.

5.00pm – Talk by Joeli Brearley (with Q & A).

5.30pm – Screening of Suffragette.

7.15pm – Event ends.

 

Free admission to event.