Whilst the work of Feminists Work For Change (FWFC) has come to an end, we wish to preserve its story and hope it will serve as an inspiration to new generations of feminists who want to contribute their time and energy to the movement for gender equality. The fight for equal rights is far from over.
Context
Feminists Work For Change formed in 2017 during the wave of global feminist activism, protests and campaigning sparked by the Women’s March that took place the day after the inauguration of President Trump. It was the year that saw the #metoo hashtag go viral, and the resulting groundswell of collective action advocating for change led to the formation of new feminist groups up and down the country. In the West Midlands, a number of organisations were set up at this time as well as FWFC, including Feminist Action Birmingham and the Birmingham branch of Sisters Uncut.
What FWFC wanted to do and how we did it
FWFC wanted to build on the energy and consciousness raising of the protests and pool the skills of individuals to create a feminist working group for the West Midlands. We wanted to work alongside other organisations and individuals to address issues affecting the lives of women and girls, inclusive of trans and non-binary people. We aimed to create positive change in the immediate and longer term and did this through activism, awareness raising, fundraising and artistic engagement. Take a look at Our Work to find out more about FWFC’s projects.
From the outset, FWFC organised its activities around a framework made up of three different areas. We worked to the strengths, skills and interests of those in the group and the work of other feminists locally and nationally:
BACK UP: Support local groups and people who are already doing effective work for women in the region, offering our time, voices and skills to help them progress and succeed.
ELEVATE: Link into a UK-wide network of feminists campaigning nationally, strengthening their messages by promoting, petitioning and supporting them through our own networks and contacts.
ORGANISE: Collectively identify the gaps in provision facing women and girls in the West Midlands. Putting our ideas, experience, energy and effort into effective use, we aim to deliver positive solutions that can make a difference.
FWFC group and meetings
The FWFC group shifted in size during its lifetime, people came and went, and the level of input people had into our activities varied depending on their other commitments and responsibilities. There remained a consistent core group during the 6 years that FWFC was operational, and it was small but mighty.
FWFC was open to all women, trans people and gender non-conforming folks from different backgrounds, ethnicities, age groups, sexual orientations and economic backgrounds. We met for planning meetings roughly every 6 weeks in cafes, art studios, free meeting spaces and online. We welcomed CIS men’s support in all areas except at planning meetings. This decision was built on the belief that women, trans people and gender non-conforming folks need to be at the forefront of the move to dismantle the patriarchy and therefore need safe, collective spaces where they can organise, share experiences, learn from each other and support one another.
Thank you to everyone who has supported FWFC and its work in the different ways that you could. Without your belief in us, a small group of people contributing in our own way to the movement for gender equality, we could not have achieved anything.
Feminists Work for Change 