Educate Yourself our roundup of the top feminist resources
Now, you’ve probably heard your Mum or your Nan listening to this at some point. However, if like me, this is not and has never been the case, we thought it would be worth mentioning. Live on Radio 4 in the week from 10-11am and Saturdays 4-5pm, all the shows are available to stream online or download as podcasts. Headed by Jenni Murray and Jane Garvey, they discuss topics such as lesbian/gay identity, pensions, the tech industry, contraception, Jamaican Pride, reverse ageism and Hiroshima to reel from a few recent installments. The guests are as diverse as the subject matter; from Chrissie Hynde to Ella Eyre, Jacqueline Wilson to Jeremy Corbyn and Kim Catrall to Kellie Maloney.
Rookie Magazine
Rookie is an American online magazine created by blogger Tavi Gevinson. We’re sure you already knew that, but let’s make sure we’re all on the same page (or tab). Having gone from strength to strength, the site publishes art and writing from a wide variety of contributors, including journalists, celebrities, and us, the readers. Pieces range from DIY Drippy, Trippy Nails, to Getting Over Embarassment, to Ask A Grown Woman/Man. Despite its transatlantic base, the tone of Rookie’s first hand accounts will resonate with any teenage (and older) girl. It’s also updated three times a day, five days a week.
UK Feminista
UK Feminista supports people to campaign for a world where women and men are equal. They aim to provide training and resources to activists and groups, organise events, and offer a powerful voice for feminism. Whilst their site may not be particularly content heavy, there is plenty of downloadable information. Their online ‘toolkit’ provides a printable Campaign Planner, guides on How To Set Up A Feminist Group, Running An Effective Campaign and how to Harness The Power Of Social Media. They also have a map pinpointing feminist groups across the country, so you can get in touch with your local - or set up one of your own.
Women in Film and Television UK
Women in Film and Television is a membership organisation for women working in creative media in the UK, and part of an international network of over 10,000 women worldwide. They host a variety of events throughout the year, present an awards ceremony every December, and run a mentoring programme. The idea is any female professional working in the film, television or creative media industry in the UK can become a member and be supported, wherever you are based. They post jobs, industry news and interviews with mentees.
Bitchtopia
Bitchtopia is an online, creative, feminist collective. They take submissions, and give anonymous advice, making it feel like a big online diary. The content is accessible, and the site invites interaction. The regular contributors become part of a private discussion group, get a personal account on the Bitchtopia website (as all content is organised in side links under contributor’s names) and receive endless professional and emotional support from your fellow ‘bitches’. A real girl community, idea sharing platform.
OFFLINE
The Feminist Library
Based in London, a ten minute walk from Waterloo station, The Feminist Library is on the second floor of a rather unsuspecting building. What is housed within, however, is an entirely different story. Archiving feminist literature, zines and material dating back to the ‘60s, it’s a minefield of information that we cannot speak highly enough of. They host regular events and workshops, and are always looking for new volunteers.
5 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7XW
Arnolfini Centre for Contemporary Arts
Since 1961 Arnolfini has been presenting innovative, experimental work in the visual arts, performance, dance, film, music and events. A 15 minute walk from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, the riverside building houses a reading room, auditorium, studios and one of the country’s best arts bookshops. They also provide workshops for families, schools and groups and run Young Arnolfini - a collective of local artists and writers aged from 16 – 25 working, learning and living in Bristol.
16 Narrow Quay, Bristol, BS1 4QA
Duke Of Yorks Cinema
Although Picture House operates through cinemas nationwide, we feel a particularly affinity to the oldest operating cinema in the UK, Brighton’s Duke Of Yorks. Offering student memberships with an array of perks, and discounts through local partners including food and art supplies, it’s an all round source of creativity. Regular clubs, Vintage Sundays, and Q+As also feature in their schedule, making sure you get the most bang for your buck.
Preston Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 4NA
People’s History Museum
The PHM in Manchester is the national museum of democracy. They aim to engage, inspire and inform diverse audiences by showing that ‘there have always been ideas worth fighting for’. The ideal place to question the world around us, current exhibitions include Show Me The Money: The Image of Finance 1700 to the Present, Disability Discrimination Act and Where Are You From? Our Teenage Years. Expect to leave with a few feathers ruffled - which is usually the start of something great.
Left Bank, Manchester, Lancashire M3 3ER
Glasgow Women’s Library
From Suffragette memorabilia and 1930s dress making patterns, to rare 1970s Scottish Women’s Liberation newsletters, you can find it all at GWL. Having grown from a small grassroots project into the main hub of information by, for and about women in Scotland, the library offers specialised learning, collections and archives. With heritage walks, film clubs and reading weeks all lined up in their events calendar, it’s clear that the GWL is a hotbed of ideas now growing into a pioneering women’s social enterprise.
23 Landressy Street, Glasgow, G40 1BP
images: Hannah Smith
