Goldsmiths Community Centre's
Legendary Women
March is Women’s History Month. We are celebrating and shining a bright and celebratory spotlight on GCA's Legendary Women past and present who form part of our centre’s history and development, as well as those who build and strengthen our local communities.
We are also joining the International Women’s Day #choosetochallenge campaign and we challenge you to join us:
We are also joining the International Women’s Day #choosetochallenge campaign and we challenge you to join us:
“A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.
We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.
From challenge comes change, so let's all choose to challenge.”
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We’re wrapping up Women’s History Month with legendary showstopper, Liz Wood!
Liz’s first encounter with Goldsmiths Community Centre took place thirty years ago, at first as a member and centre user joining groups and classes and eventually running some of them!
She has since worn an array of interesting and vital hats, from running woodworking and DIY workshops for women, later joining the trustee board to help keep the community ship afloat and taking on the role of Chair during a very difficult time for the centre, establishing and running a successful dance school, down to volunteering where and when she can at events and in the Apple Tree charity shop. |
Who inspires you in your personal or work life, past or present?
I tend to be less inspired by famous women than unknown women. I have encountered over the years those who struggle against the odds, supporting others, and particularly other women, without fanfare (which has different dynamics generally to supporting men, in my experience). There are two women who have helped me through a very difficult time in my personal life, while struggling with tremendous grief and trauma in their own lives. That is a very special generosity of spirit.
Historically the name ‘Helen Keller ‘has stayed with me since childhood. When I was about 10 I was given a set of biographies for children to read called “Women of Renown”. I was inspired by them all in different ways but Helen Keller was deaf and blind. I could not conceive how a woman who could not see or hear could overcome those odds to become a prolific writer, a disability rights campaigner, and deliver speeches about ‘happiness’, while being denied some of the basic human abilities so many of us take for granted.
I can still see the book in my mind...and I recommend anyone who has not heard of her, and is struggling, to read about her life and achievements.
What first brought you to the centre and how has that changed over the years?
My links with the centre started 30 years ago when I found myself living around the corner, quite isolated with two small children. My life had been in theatre and cabaret and friends spread out around the world, but not on my doorstep...
I joined a range of classes and groups, learning new skills and to cut a long story short, within a couple of years carved out a part-time career as a tutor for what was then known as Community Education Lewisham at Goldsmiths and other venues, running mixed woodwork and DIY groups.
At my suggestion, my line manager helped me develop a programme for women-only groups. This was a time when going into a plumbers merchants or wood yard was often quite a humiliating experience for women. The assumption was always that I was waiting for my husband, or would have no understanding of what I was asking for. Often I was simply ignored with the man behind me served!
These groups ran for about 10 years in various parts of Lewisham and Greenwich, before the requirement for specific qualifications to teach classes came in and I was not prepared to engage! For me the classes were about empowering women to take control of their own living situations, mend their own dripping taps, put up their own shelves or at least have enough knowledge not to be ripped off by the plumber!
In 1999 - going back to my theatre and dance roots, while still working as a DIY tutor, I started Goldsmiths Dance Academy. Over 20 years later after many shows and hundreds of successful ballet examinations, we are surviving the current struggles, and students from the early days are now bringing their own children to the school.
I became a Trustee of Goldsmiths Community Association around 2002, and Chair of the board much later, at a time when savage cuts to funding and the discovery of serious building maintenance issues meant the future of the centre was in doubt. I carried on through a mix of refusal to accept that the centre was doomed and a bit of naivety as to the real implications of failure. The quiet resolve and knowledge of Alan Till and Sue East worked well with my “there must be a way, let’s shout loud about this!” approach.
What did you aim to achieve when you set up Goldsmiths Dance Academy?
I set out with two aims when forming the dance school (the third aim came a bit later):
Firstly to offer ballet, very much the domain of the white middle classes, to all at an affordable price and to engage children in the local community. The Royal Academy of Dance whose syllabus we offer, is an accredited, internationally recognised body. We’ve had a 100% pass rate over the last 20 years and reached many children from diverse cultural backgrounds in the local community.
Secondly, to give children a taste of what it is like to be involved in traditional theatre forms: Cabaret, musicals, panto, etc. To challenge and inspire them but also to show that it is not all spotlights and stardom - co-operation, tolerance, hard work and rising above the tedium of repetition when rehearsing are all major ingredients for a successful performance and good life skills.
We make sure every child attending is integrated regardless of ability. Having lovely costumes and feeling special when the big day comes, is all part of this. I discovered an ability to write scripts by default really - when finding it impossible to find scripts which would give every child a decent part I would write in extra scenes for them and gradually started writing whole shows. I am currently working on ‘Saving the Rainbow’ - a panto which will be topical of course!
And finally to present shows and performances which would bring in the local community, connect older and younger people and help return Goldsmiths to the social hub it had been in years gone by.
I hope the impact for my students to be an increase in confidence and an opportunity to be part of the creative process which is transferable to any of life’s chosen paths, but also simply an enjoyment of dancing, singing, and giving those lucky enough to watch them much pleasure.
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
Re-evaluating and accepting change this year has been challenging. I am a “heads down, never accept defeat, just plough on with the job, there will always be an answer” person when involved in anything that is not closely personal.
When the centre's doors closed again I was initially overwhelmed by a feeling of despair . After years of touch-and-go, I felt that the staff and Trustees were laying really stable foundations for a bright future in the community; but closing for the third time in five years?
I have also been really struggling without teaching. Somehow children always have the answers- they both exhaust and energise me and I have been really missing them. But having time to start script writing again was therapeutic and being part of the team at Goldsmiths, sorting books and giving orange juice to the local community was important in staying a little connected to the community for a while.
Later, making the decision that maybe it was time to focus my energies on new horizons and retire from volunteering at Goldsmiths was challenging in itself after so many years. But I am delighted that the future is looking bright once again and I am really looking forward to getting back into my ballet shoes and putting a show back on the George Green Hall stage!
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
I partnered with Buster Bloodvessel of Bad Manners in a Can-Can dance live on the BBC in 1981. He had painted his bald head red and sweated so much while we were dancing that I came off stage with my beautiful yellow satin dress looking like I had just emerged from a major crime scene!
My favourite comfort food during lockdown has been hot crumpets with lots of real butter and thick dabs of Marmite.
I tend to be less inspired by famous women than unknown women. I have encountered over the years those who struggle against the odds, supporting others, and particularly other women, without fanfare (which has different dynamics generally to supporting men, in my experience). There are two women who have helped me through a very difficult time in my personal life, while struggling with tremendous grief and trauma in their own lives. That is a very special generosity of spirit.
Historically the name ‘Helen Keller ‘has stayed with me since childhood. When I was about 10 I was given a set of biographies for children to read called “Women of Renown”. I was inspired by them all in different ways but Helen Keller was deaf and blind. I could not conceive how a woman who could not see or hear could overcome those odds to become a prolific writer, a disability rights campaigner, and deliver speeches about ‘happiness’, while being denied some of the basic human abilities so many of us take for granted.
I can still see the book in my mind...and I recommend anyone who has not heard of her, and is struggling, to read about her life and achievements.
What first brought you to the centre and how has that changed over the years?
My links with the centre started 30 years ago when I found myself living around the corner, quite isolated with two small children. My life had been in theatre and cabaret and friends spread out around the world, but not on my doorstep...
I joined a range of classes and groups, learning new skills and to cut a long story short, within a couple of years carved out a part-time career as a tutor for what was then known as Community Education Lewisham at Goldsmiths and other venues, running mixed woodwork and DIY groups.
At my suggestion, my line manager helped me develop a programme for women-only groups. This was a time when going into a plumbers merchants or wood yard was often quite a humiliating experience for women. The assumption was always that I was waiting for my husband, or would have no understanding of what I was asking for. Often I was simply ignored with the man behind me served!
These groups ran for about 10 years in various parts of Lewisham and Greenwich, before the requirement for specific qualifications to teach classes came in and I was not prepared to engage! For me the classes were about empowering women to take control of their own living situations, mend their own dripping taps, put up their own shelves or at least have enough knowledge not to be ripped off by the plumber!
In 1999 - going back to my theatre and dance roots, while still working as a DIY tutor, I started Goldsmiths Dance Academy. Over 20 years later after many shows and hundreds of successful ballet examinations, we are surviving the current struggles, and students from the early days are now bringing their own children to the school.
I became a Trustee of Goldsmiths Community Association around 2002, and Chair of the board much later, at a time when savage cuts to funding and the discovery of serious building maintenance issues meant the future of the centre was in doubt. I carried on through a mix of refusal to accept that the centre was doomed and a bit of naivety as to the real implications of failure. The quiet resolve and knowledge of Alan Till and Sue East worked well with my “there must be a way, let’s shout loud about this!” approach.
What did you aim to achieve when you set up Goldsmiths Dance Academy?
I set out with two aims when forming the dance school (the third aim came a bit later):
Firstly to offer ballet, very much the domain of the white middle classes, to all at an affordable price and to engage children in the local community. The Royal Academy of Dance whose syllabus we offer, is an accredited, internationally recognised body. We’ve had a 100% pass rate over the last 20 years and reached many children from diverse cultural backgrounds in the local community.
Secondly, to give children a taste of what it is like to be involved in traditional theatre forms: Cabaret, musicals, panto, etc. To challenge and inspire them but also to show that it is not all spotlights and stardom - co-operation, tolerance, hard work and rising above the tedium of repetition when rehearsing are all major ingredients for a successful performance and good life skills.
We make sure every child attending is integrated regardless of ability. Having lovely costumes and feeling special when the big day comes, is all part of this. I discovered an ability to write scripts by default really - when finding it impossible to find scripts which would give every child a decent part I would write in extra scenes for them and gradually started writing whole shows. I am currently working on ‘Saving the Rainbow’ - a panto which will be topical of course!
And finally to present shows and performances which would bring in the local community, connect older and younger people and help return Goldsmiths to the social hub it had been in years gone by.
I hope the impact for my students to be an increase in confidence and an opportunity to be part of the creative process which is transferable to any of life’s chosen paths, but also simply an enjoyment of dancing, singing, and giving those lucky enough to watch them much pleasure.
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
Re-evaluating and accepting change this year has been challenging. I am a “heads down, never accept defeat, just plough on with the job, there will always be an answer” person when involved in anything that is not closely personal.
When the centre's doors closed again I was initially overwhelmed by a feeling of despair . After years of touch-and-go, I felt that the staff and Trustees were laying really stable foundations for a bright future in the community; but closing for the third time in five years?
I have also been really struggling without teaching. Somehow children always have the answers- they both exhaust and energise me and I have been really missing them. But having time to start script writing again was therapeutic and being part of the team at Goldsmiths, sorting books and giving orange juice to the local community was important in staying a little connected to the community for a while.
Later, making the decision that maybe it was time to focus my energies on new horizons and retire from volunteering at Goldsmiths was challenging in itself after so many years. But I am delighted that the future is looking bright once again and I am really looking forward to getting back into my ballet shoes and putting a show back on the George Green Hall stage!
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
I partnered with Buster Bloodvessel of Bad Manners in a Can-Can dance live on the BBC in 1981. He had painted his bald head red and sweated so much while we were dancing that I came off stage with my beautiful yellow satin dress looking like I had just emerged from a major crime scene!
My favourite comfort food during lockdown has been hot crumpets with lots of real butter and thick dabs of Marmite.
Celebrating the legendary women who have passed through the centre's doors, each bringing their own magic, for over 80 years!We are nearing the end of Women’s History Month and our celebration of GCA's Legendary Women past and present who form part of our centre’s history and development, as well as those who build and strengthen our local communities.
We want to take this moment to acknowledge and celebrate every woman who has been with Goldsmiths Community Centre on its journey (since 1939!!), as a volunteer, a trustee, an employee and those who brought their joy and energy to the community through hosting and taking part in classes, workshops and events at the centre. Every woman has given something of themselves and helped us get to where we are today. Thank you! |
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It’s Red Nose Day and we can't think of anyone better to celebrate on this day than Jade: confectionary alchemist, top-notch problem solver who coined #thecovidofitall, and community champion who puts integrity first.Jade first came to the centre to attend the nursery as a tot aged three and went on to attend various sports classes, activities, ballet, jazz and musical theatre classes throughout her childhood until she left for University. She volunteered for many years as a young adult and now works with us as the centre’s first Operations Manager.
Despite the harsh impact of the pandemic on us and our communities, Jade carried on managing centre operations through what has been a pretty tough year, and she continues to do so on the sheer power of female resilience, grit, and a healthy sense of humour. It's truly an honour to work with this fierce and inspiring woman. |
Who inspires you in your personal or work life, past or present?
“I have been fortunate throughout my career to have worked with several inspirational women mostly in managerial and decision making roles. From every one of them I have learned invaluable lessons of strength, resilience and most importantly a desire to do the most good for those around them and within their communities.”
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
“Managing the centre throughout the pandemic has been a challenging task, dealing with lockdowns, restrictions and a reduced staff team. The best lesson I have learnt this year is to expect the unexpected, cry about it for a second, take a deep breath and then figure out your way forward.”
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“I'm addicted to sugar and spend most of my weekends baking and trying new recipes. During lockdown on a whim I made a 9 inch cake that I had to freeze in slices so as not to eat the whole thing!”
“I have been fortunate throughout my career to have worked with several inspirational women mostly in managerial and decision making roles. From every one of them I have learned invaluable lessons of strength, resilience and most importantly a desire to do the most good for those around them and within their communities.”
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
“Managing the centre throughout the pandemic has been a challenging task, dealing with lockdowns, restrictions and a reduced staff team. The best lesson I have learnt this year is to expect the unexpected, cry about it for a second, take a deep breath and then figure out your way forward.”
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“I'm addicted to sugar and spend most of my weekends baking and trying new recipes. During lockdown on a whim I made a 9 inch cake that I had to freeze in slices so as not to eat the whole thing!”
Today’s celebration of inspiring women is dedicated to Evadne Bygrave, Sing a Book CEO and creator of musical theatre production Dido Through the Looking Glass!Evadne founded Sing a Book CIC in 2014 to support and enhance children’s understanding of stories and characters using the medium of original songs linked to books and musical theatre.
She has extensive experience in working with children of all ages in educational settings and musical theatre and she combines her extensive knowledge and experience with creative talent and drive to champion a love of learning, empower children and young people, and bring black history to the stage and into children’s British History learning journey. Evadne first came to GCC to deliver Dido Through the Looking Glass as part the Festival for Creative ageing. Since then our relationship has grown from strength to strength as we explore collaborative opportunities. We are very excited to partner with Evadne and Sing a Book again this year! |
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Who inspires you in your personal or work life, past or present?
“My mother is my greatest inspiration. She came to the UK in her early twenties from Jamaica with a basic education but achieved a great deal during her 30 years here, from qualifying as chef to running her own catering company and school. Even in her 90's she continues to run a multi-business in Jamaica where she now resides.”
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
“Our mission at Sing a Book is to engage the BAME and wider community to take part in the arts at local level as participants or audience members. We aim to use our productions to inform and educator the contributions made to British history by BAME communities, but the greatest challenge has been funding. As a community project I wanted all stakeholders to have a sense of belonging and ownership, hence I created a crowdfunding campaign, galvanised sponsorship from local businesses and was able to recruit a number local volunteers who delivered workshops.”
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“I conquered my fear of spiders when my neighbour refused to answer the door one night and I was forced to deal with the uninvited 8-legged visitor all by myself.
I can play music from dawn to dusk non-stop.”
“My mother is my greatest inspiration. She came to the UK in her early twenties from Jamaica with a basic education but achieved a great deal during her 30 years here, from qualifying as chef to running her own catering company and school. Even in her 90's she continues to run a multi-business in Jamaica where she now resides.”
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
“Our mission at Sing a Book is to engage the BAME and wider community to take part in the arts at local level as participants or audience members. We aim to use our productions to inform and educator the contributions made to British history by BAME communities, but the greatest challenge has been funding. As a community project I wanted all stakeholders to have a sense of belonging and ownership, hence I created a crowdfunding campaign, galvanised sponsorship from local businesses and was able to recruit a number local volunteers who delivered workshops.”
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“I conquered my fear of spiders when my neighbour refused to answer the door one night and I was forced to deal with the uninvited 8-legged visitor all by myself.
I can play music from dawn to dusk non-stop.”
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What with the grey and chilly day out, we’re warming up the social media hub with a celebration of Barbara Gray, Lewisham’s Mayoress, Urban Dandelion’s CEO, Council Adviser on BAME health inequalities, and one of GCA’s inspirational and legendary womenBarbara has a long and varied history of community involvement in Lewisham and she continues working and supporting communities on grassroots, organisational and political level, and developing opportunities that give people a voice, especially people from marginalised and minority groups, empowering them to take an active role in shaping their community and society as a whole.
Barbara had been active in community and economic development in neighbouring Catford South and worked with Goldsmiths Community Centre “in an intergenerational summer programme in 2018.” We look forward to collaborating with Barbara and Urban Dandelion again to help champion and support her efforts to address BAME health inequalities in the borough. |
Who inspires you in your personal or work life, past or present?
“Maya Angelou is my inspiration. Being yourself and speaking your truth is so important and do this through telling of stories. I saw her at Lewisham Theatre a couple of times and she was comfortable just being herself and was interesting, funny, graceful whilst talking moving from funny stories about experience and more serious world issues. My mother who, as a single woman, flew from Jamaica in another continent to London in 1954 to pursue her dreams. Women of that era didn't stray far beyond the kitchen and most certainly did travel on a plane. That sets the tone of an awesome Black woman.”
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
Two of the main challenges Barbara faced are her role as Mayoress of Lewisham and working to address BAME health inequalities in Lewisham.
The disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BAME communities has highlighted these inequalities as well as the importance of addressing it through systemic change.
Barbara believes in “inspiring communities to bring about the change they want to see, and tackling health inequalities “so that who you are and where you live should not have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing”. She is also passionate about supporting those living with dementia.
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“I love taking photographs and eating fish and chips on the beach in Hastings midweek.”
“Maya Angelou is my inspiration. Being yourself and speaking your truth is so important and do this through telling of stories. I saw her at Lewisham Theatre a couple of times and she was comfortable just being herself and was interesting, funny, graceful whilst talking moving from funny stories about experience and more serious world issues. My mother who, as a single woman, flew from Jamaica in another continent to London in 1954 to pursue her dreams. Women of that era didn't stray far beyond the kitchen and most certainly did travel on a plane. That sets the tone of an awesome Black woman.”
Please tell us about some of the recent challenges you faced and how you navigated them?
Two of the main challenges Barbara faced are her role as Mayoress of Lewisham and working to address BAME health inequalities in Lewisham.
The disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on BAME communities has highlighted these inequalities as well as the importance of addressing it through systemic change.
Barbara believes in “inspiring communities to bring about the change they want to see, and tackling health inequalities “so that who you are and where you live should not have a negative impact on your health and wellbeing”. She is also passionate about supporting those living with dementia.
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“I love taking photographs and eating fish and chips on the beach in Hastings midweek.”
Long-term SE6 resident and local legend, Kitty Dawes, is our next inspirational woman-who-must-be-celebrated during Women's History Month.Barbara Gray, Lewisham Mayor, Urban Dandelion's CEO, and another legendary woman soon to feature in our celebratory line-up, signposted us to Kitty, meticulous keeper of memories and photographs of her long and rich history with the centre since it first opened in the late 1930's.
We had a lovely and inspiring chat over the phone, learned more about women's experiences as part of the centre's history, and we’re very keen to welcome Kitty back for a visit, a proper catchup, and to pore over her collection of vintage photographs once we reopen...preferably with Jade Made LDN's signature apple muffins and a decent cup of Apple Tree Cafe tea. |
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What first brought you to the centre and how has that changed over the years?
Kitty first visited the centre with her sister in 1938 after being invited to attend a meeting to discuss the centre’s plans for activities with local residents ahead of its official opening in 1939.
Kitty was an active member of the Youth Club which offered classes such as needlework for the girls and physical training session for the boys. She remembers girls and women not being allowed to enter or use the gym, which was used for the boys’ PT sessions, and being banned from using the billiards room for fear of them damaging the cues and fabric of the billiards table. If only they’d been allowed in to learn how to play the sport in the first place. Women’s rights and freedoms have changed considerably just in Kitty’s lifetime. The Fawcett Society gives a great snapshot and overview of women’s rights through the years.
They also attended regular talks, one memorable talk from a man who had come from New Zealand to speak to them about his home country.
The centre had a vibrant and active programme of weekly and monthly activities including poetry competitions, flower shows and competitions hosted by the Gardening Club, dances every Saturday which saw local people dress up and come together to socialise, and most notably an amateur theatre group.
Kitty had been a member of the group for several years in the 50’s and performed in shows such as Talbot Rothwell's Queen Elizabeth Slept Here, Arnold Ridley's The Ghost Train, and Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop. Kitty remembers the troupe putting on regular shows and printing off and selling door-to-door tickets in Whitefoot and Downham for their shows.
She had taken brief leave from the centre after being called to serve in 1943 to 1947 and remembers that the centre’s doors remained open through the WW II, even during The Blitz!
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
Kitty is a legend in own right on her local residents’ Facebook group and makes soft toy donkeys for a donkey sanctuary.
Our inspirational woman of the day is Roz, our most recent Community Development Worker - a fearless champion of women’s rights, environmental protection and community empowerment, and maker of superbly creative vegetarian dishes.
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Roz’s commitment to her beliefs, her work, and community wellbeing, is evident in every task and idea she takes on.
We are grateful for her time, effort, and the improvements she made during her time with us. We count ourselves lucky that we get to continue connecting and working with Roz in a different, but still community-focused, capacity. Roz rose to the challenge in 2020 and played a vital role in coordinating the borough-wide community response to support those worst hit by the pandemic. She worked with local charity Mamakind to distribute nappies and sanitary produce to vulnerable women, helped share resources from the Apple Tree cafe with food banks, and supported the Apple Tree charity shop serving people who needed things like clothes and baby equipment. Along with Chloe Edwards-Wood, Roz also piloted an amazing project that supports local musicians to help address isolation through the power of music. Give a Song has snowballed and is also helping musicians whose work has dried up. She worked hard with the Downham Men’s Group and local volunteers last year to improve the centre's outdoor spaces while also providing COVIDsafe outdoor activities for the local community, and was actively involved and leading on preparations for more food growing and outdoor activities to help support mental health and raise awareness of personal and collective environmental responsibility. One particular highlight was the popular Very Hungry Caterpillar Nature Trail for local young people during our Outdoor Market in August 2020. |
Who inspires you in your personal or work life, past or present?
“My great grandmother Margaret Birnie, was involved in working class suffragette protests in Dundee in the early 20th century. She actually met her future husband, my great grandfather, when she was chained to a fence in protest against the local MP (a guy called Winston Churchill who did not support votes for women). As well as her inspiration, I was always impressed that some men do not feel threatened by strong feisty women”.
What first brought you to the centre and how has that changed over the years?
“I first started using the centre around 2001 as a local resident, dropping into the cafe and my children all did activities there. We also used the after school club. I have been an occasional volunteer for specific events run in and from the centre for years. Between February 2019 and November 2020 I was the part time Community Development Worker”.
What are some of the recent challenges you faced and how did you navigate them?
“Over recent years I have developed osteoarthritis and the physical pain triggered nightmares of historic domestic violence. During the last year I worked hard to increase the amount of gentle exercise I did as well as losing some weight and my knee is significantly stronger and pain significantly reduced”.
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“My third cousin is Australian rock legend, Jimmy Barnes.
I am currently spending a huge amount of time, and chickpea flour, perfecting a recipe for vegan kukus (kukus are Persian frittatas made with eggs and lots of fresh green herbs.)”
“My great grandmother Margaret Birnie, was involved in working class suffragette protests in Dundee in the early 20th century. She actually met her future husband, my great grandfather, when she was chained to a fence in protest against the local MP (a guy called Winston Churchill who did not support votes for women). As well as her inspiration, I was always impressed that some men do not feel threatened by strong feisty women”.
What first brought you to the centre and how has that changed over the years?
“I first started using the centre around 2001 as a local resident, dropping into the cafe and my children all did activities there. We also used the after school club. I have been an occasional volunteer for specific events run in and from the centre for years. Between February 2019 and November 2020 I was the part time Community Development Worker”.
What are some of the recent challenges you faced and how did you navigate them?
“Over recent years I have developed osteoarthritis and the physical pain triggered nightmares of historic domestic violence. During the last year I worked hard to increase the amount of gentle exercise I did as well as losing some weight and my knee is significantly stronger and pain significantly reduced”.
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
“My third cousin is Australian rock legend, Jimmy Barnes.
I am currently spending a huge amount of time, and chickpea flour, perfecting a recipe for vegan kukus (kukus are Persian frittatas made with eggs and lots of fresh green herbs.)”
Happy International Women’s Day, and who better to celebrate it with than Tracy, our master baker, mirth maker, cook with superb culinary skills, and one of our stalwart centre volunteers.Tracy started visiting the centre, which ran a health clinic in the 90s, when her son was born, and again for ballet classes with Goldsmiths Dance Academy when her daughter was small. She started volunteering with us regularly in 2019 to improve her mental health and she sees the centre as a big part of the local community.
We’ve really missed Tracy’s bread pudding, can-do energy, and ready laugh during lockdown and very much look forward to having her visit and volunteer with us again. Tracy joins us in supporting the #choosetochallenge campaign and chooses to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality, to seek out and celebrate women's achievements, and to help create an inclusive world. |
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Who inspires you in your personal or work life, past or present?
"My mum sadly she is no longer with us but she was proud of me"
What are some of the recent challenges you faced and how did you navigate them?
" A recent challenge I faced was dealing with my mental health". Tracy volunteers when she can, bakes and cooks up a storm for her family, gardens and takes on DIY projects to support her mental health.
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
"I’m a bit of a character I make people laugh and also I have mad hobbies"
"My mum sadly she is no longer with us but she was proud of me"
What are some of the recent challenges you faced and how did you navigate them?
" A recent challenge I faced was dealing with my mental health". Tracy volunteers when she can, bakes and cooks up a storm for her family, gardens and takes on DIY projects to support her mental health.
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
"I’m a bit of a character I make people laugh and also I have mad hobbies"
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We are kicking off this month’s celebration of our centre and community’s legendary women with our very own Chair, Sue! Sue has been a trustee-of-many-hats at the centre for the last thirty years, and a frequent visitor as a young mum in the 80s! She has seen this valuable community space through many extraordinary challenges and continues to fight the good fight with her commitment, joyful optimism and willingness to muck in where needed.
Sue stands firmly behind the #choosetochallenge campaign and chooses to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality, to seek out and celebrate women's achievements, to help create an inclusive world. |
Who inspires you in your personal or work life, past or present?
“I've been inspired by many women over the years but in the past year I have been especially inspired to see the energy and commitment demonstrated by younger women to make a positive impact in our community. I've worked at the centre for a long time and there's a lot to be said for experience but I believe that we need the influence of youth to achieve positive change for the future. I have been especially inspired by how positively our Operations Manager has responded to the challenges of the past year”
What are some of the recent challenges you faced and how did you navigate them?
“The last year has brought so many challenges for all of us, for me one of the biggest challenges was managing my emotional response to the first lockdown, the closure of the centre and the impacts on our community. Identifying ways that the association could continue to support the local community and making practical positive contributions such as distributing orange juice, fruit and books, helped to balance out the uncertainties and pressures of rapid change.”
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
"Many years ago my teacher described me as 'gregarious' - unfortunately my education at Malory (now HAKA) hadn't equipped me with a wide vocabulary and I'm slightly embarrassed to admit my response of 'What's that mean, sir?'. I know that I am happiest when I am with others and I enjoy observing people interacting and being entertained by each other - I've missed community events at the Centre and I am looking forward to the promise of a GDA pantomime in 2021"
“I've been inspired by many women over the years but in the past year I have been especially inspired to see the energy and commitment demonstrated by younger women to make a positive impact in our community. I've worked at the centre for a long time and there's a lot to be said for experience but I believe that we need the influence of youth to achieve positive change for the future. I have been especially inspired by how positively our Operations Manager has responded to the challenges of the past year”
What are some of the recent challenges you faced and how did you navigate them?
“The last year has brought so many challenges for all of us, for me one of the biggest challenges was managing my emotional response to the first lockdown, the closure of the centre and the impacts on our community. Identifying ways that the association could continue to support the local community and making practical positive contributions such as distributing orange juice, fruit and books, helped to balance out the uncertainties and pressures of rapid change.”
We would love you to share a quirky fact or two about yourself with us
"Many years ago my teacher described me as 'gregarious' - unfortunately my education at Malory (now HAKA) hadn't equipped me with a wide vocabulary and I'm slightly embarrassed to admit my response of 'What's that mean, sir?'. I know that I am happiest when I am with others and I enjoy observing people interacting and being entertained by each other - I've missed community events at the Centre and I am looking forward to the promise of a GDA pantomime in 2021"
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