In case we haven’t become acquainted, my name
is Kate Bullen, and I’m the Wom*n’s Portfolio Holder on the University of Sydney Union Board of
Directors. I was fortunate enough to start this position in July last year and
have thoroughly enjoyed it ever since. For my introductory post click on the
link below.
Now then, I trust you all enjoyed the
festivities of our fantastic Oweek last week (was it last week? All that time-travel talk has really messed my head!).
I’d like to take this opportunity to firstly congratulate the amazing wom*n who
pulled off the whole affair: Sophia Roberts and Laura Barendregt.
For those as sad as I am that Oweek is now
over and classes are beginning- never fear- International Women’s Day (IWD), is
nearly here!
IWD falls annually on March 8th and has been celebrated since 1910. It’s
a time when wom*n are recognised for our economic, political and social achievements
and triumphs despite past struggles. Yet it is also a time to reassert that our
battle to true equality across the gender spectrum is not yet won. It is a time
to unite, network and organise for meaningful change, to look forward to the
future generations of wom*n, and what we want the world to look like for our
daughters and granddaughters.
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| International Women's Day Poster 2015 |
IWD was adopted by the United Nations in 1975
and has since been made an official public holiday in many countries around the
world such as Russia, Vietnam and Georgia. This year marks the 20th
anniversary since the fourth World Conference on Women adopted the Beijing Platform
for Action. It was a ground-breaking moment which recognised the role wom*n’s
rights must play in global development. So this year, we reflect on what has
been achieved of this blueprint, and how much we have left to accomplish.
Events will be held all around the world and
I highly encourage you to get involved in the festivities. The official Sydney
event is to be held the following Saturday on March 14th. More
information can be found on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/642380019224394
Here at the USU our fantastic Wom*n’s Student
Events Coordinator, Ivana Radix is hosting an event this Wednesday 4th
March. Between 12 and 2pm on Eastern Avenue you can check out some brilliant
live music and also grab yourself some free food.
The very next day at 1pm on Thursday 5th
March Wom*ns’ Collective (or Woco as it is affectionately known) begins for the
year. So now, without further ado, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the 2015
Wom*ns’ Officers Xiaoran Shi and Subeta Vimalarajah.
_______________________________________________________
Greetings feminists,
allies, men’s rights activists et al. We’re humbled and excited to be your Wom*n’s Officers for 2015 and we have a year of activism, creativity and dare
we say it, fun, planned ahead. WoCo is a radical, autonomous, feminist space
open to all who identify in whole or in part as a wom*n, trans or non-binary
person.
We meet every Thursday at 1pm, starting from March 5 in the Wom*n’s
Room in Manning, level 1.
You might have seen us at our
O-Week stall, where we showed off our awesome T-shirts and showbags! Thank you
to those who came over to say hi; it was great to meet you; we apologise for
the displays of awkward dancing also on offer.
 |
| Subeta with Growing Strong Magazine |
For slightly more
accomplished dancing, why not check out the launch of the annual Wom*n’s
Collective magazine Growing Strong at the 5 Eliza Ballroom in Newtown? It will
be on Saturday 14th March at 7.30pm. There will be live music, slam poetry and
good food – stay tuned for more details!
Still here? If we haven’t
scared you off yet and you’d still like to meet other feminists in an engaged,
welcoming environment, hit us up via our email usydwomenscollective@gmail.com
or via the Facebook group, Usyd Wom*n’s Collective. Don’t hesitate to say hi or
ask questions if you see us around! We don’t bite (unless it’s the hand of the
patriarchy).
-Xiaoran & Subeta
_______________________________________________________
That’s all from me for now- as always, if you
have any questions about anything mentioned in this blog post, or would like
more information on the services available to wom*n on our campus, don’t hesitate
to contact me or visit me in my consultation hours. Other than that, I look forward to
seeing/meeting you at our International Women’s Day Celebrations on campus J
KATE BULLEN
WOM*N'S PORTFOLIO
HOLDER - BOARD DIRECTOR
Email: k.bullen@usu.edu.au
Consultation hours:
Wednesdays 3-5pm in the Wom*n’s Room, Level One of Manning Building.
(Please note that
the Wom*n’s Room is an autonomous space for wom*n-identifying people)
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