When I asked some of my students to do a SWOT analysis of their own digital skills, one of my brood, said she couldn't write.
She felt her content writing skills were crappy and that blog writing was an alien concept.
WELL. Move over kids.
This little diamond in the rough smashed it out of the park.
On the day of the unveiling of the Emmelin Pankhurst statue in Manchester, I took my students, to watch the moment in histroy unfold - with an ulterior motive; I wanted them to absorb the atmosphere, take some photos and duly write me a super duper, SEO maxed out, engaging piece of content.
Hey presto, in week two of her digital marketing course, the wonderous student that is Grace, created this; so I'm sharing it with you guys because when I think about International Women's Day I think of girls like Grace, who are the future, and the hope, that women move forward in postivev ways every day.
In education, in employment, in equality and that is its the Grace's of the world who will bring about a brighter future.
"Looking around
me, surrounded by my fellow strong northern females, a huge sense of pride
filled my body. Singing along at the top of their lungs to the 1985 hit by the
Eurythmics and the late Aretha Franklin, who set out to create the feminist anthem
‘Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves!’ Amongst the vast sea of suffragette
themed straw-bonnets, sashes and feminist slogan signs, the overwhelming
feeling of freedom and strength for women filled the busy streets of
Manchester. Although the true meaning behind this magical day was not just for
celebration, but in fact the remembrance and honour of a truly remarkable woman
and the legacy she has left behind, Emeline Pankhurst.
December 14th
2018, will be a historical landmark for any Mancunian, and one that I hope to
one day share with my future family. On that day females of all ages stood
proudly together, and I was a part of it. It is a day that marks the first
statue of a woman in Manchester in 117 years, to become the second within the
city. Which in reality, is an upsetting yet somewhat not-so-shocking fact.
From an early
age I have always loved History, and learning about the events that has shaped the
world we live in today. However, I cannot ignore the fact the majority of what we
learn and what we know about our past seems to only praise the success of men. Winston
Churchill, Charles Darwin, Martin Luther King – all undeniably key figures
throughout history, and children across the world learn about their work and
success.
But what about
all the women who have made a difference? Why are they not celebrated and
taught to our children in such detail? This day has shown me just how bright
the future really is for young women like me. There are no limits to what I can
do - I think that myself and others owe that to the suffragettes and the pain
that they went through.
One of the most
significant things for me about the unveiling of the ‘Our Emeline’ statue was
the diversity of age amongst the crowd. The past, the present and the future
stood together as one all sharing the same sense of joy and watching on in awe
of how unified our city can be. I couldn’t help but feel proud to be from
Manchester, not to mention the home of the brave woman that is Emeline
Pankhurst.
An
exceptionally informative video, educated the 6,000 strong crowd in depth on
Emeline’s journey and how it all began. It’s something in which I can only
begin to imagine, being born into a world where your parents wished you were a
boy and that as a young women you were only ever told ‘no’. Although, the
rejection is what undoubtedly gave her the fuel and the passion in her fight
for women’s rights.
As the ‘big
reveal’ drew closer I didn’t think the ceremony could make a bigger statement –
or get much busier! The sound of footsteps, stomps and spine-chilling chants
filled the streets surrounding me “WHAT DO WE WANT? EQUALITY, WHEN DO WE WANT
IT? NOW!” school children bellowed. Boys and girls of all ages, in their
thousands, carried their hand made green, white and purple suffragette themed
signs. ‘Deeds not words’ is one of the most famous phrases coined by the
suffragette movement, which was reinforced by the huge turnout and could be read
on the signs carried by hundreds.
I was filled
with nostalgia as I thought back to the days of learning about these courageous
women and how they ever so radically fought for their right to vote. They were
bold and they were loud, and I think some of that was channelled on this day in
commemoration of all the women who fought. But this was done in a much more
peaceful manner; a breath taking service showcasing heart-felt songs, and a
whole host of speeches including one by Emeline’s great granddaughter Helen
Pankhurst and also the talented sculptor behind the monumental statue Hazel
Reeves. However one of the most poignant speakers at the unveiling was
12-year-old Fatima Shahid who spoke so articulately, as she told the crowd that she hoped this was
“just the first” of many Mancunian women who would be honoured in sculpture
form. It was incredible to see such a bright young girl speak about her future
and the future of our city during such a poignant day.
As an 18 year
old woman, who has grown up in Manchester, I never really knew just how close I
have always been to the heart of the suffragette movement. I didn’t expect to
feel so overwhelmed and empowered by the service. As the statue was revealed to
the thousands cheers and claps consumed the crowd. Helen Reeves chose to
portray Pankhurst standing on a chair as she rallied a crowd, similar to scenes
you would have seen back then. The statue helps you see how tough it really
would have been for a young woman like Emeline to have been to be so fearless
and strong willed in a time where that was not accepted of women.
The unveiling
of the stature marked 100 years to the day after some women got the vote for
the first time in the UK. I can only image the determination and the fight all
those women suffered all those years ago. Today we live in a world in which
many of us take for granted, a world where we now have a female Prime Minister,
a world in which women are now 35% more likely to go to university than men.
It’s something I’m sure Emeline Pankhurst, stood on her wooden chair, would
have thought seemed so far away from achieving, yet never gave up the hope of
it becoming a reality. I think the women of Manchester, and women across the
world owe a lot to the suffragettes. They embody ‘Girl Power’ and the very
principle of standing up for yourself and what you believe in. I think we
should all be more Emeline.
I am blessed, to have a job I love, that I work hard for, and that I get to work with such a great group of people. Who just so often, surprise and inspire me when I least expect it.
A proud tutor, thats me.
Happy International Womens Day
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