Women’s decade festival planned

Press, 30 August 1984, Page 16

Women’s decade festival planned

A Women’s Festival in Christchurch is planned to mark the end of the International Decade for Women,

It will be held during Queen’s Birthday week-end, June 1 to June 3, next year. Several hundred women are expected to be present from most of the South Island. “The Women’s Decade has been of great significance to the women of New Zealand, indeed to all society,” says Lady Hay, Mayoress of Christchurch, who is patron of the Festival.

“So many things have surfaced that were not new, but which are now being faced realistically. Women’s groups like Rape Crisis, Refuge Centres, women’s selfdefence groups, have been set up. “Some very good legislation was introduced to further the rights and dignity of women, and now we have a Ministry of Women’s Affairs which we hope will work even more effectively on our behalf.

“It is fitting that we mark the end of ten years of national consciousness-rais-ing about women with a festival which will allow us to look back at what has been done; examine our lives today, and look forward to the future,” Lady Hay said. The festival will start with a keynote address in the main auditorium of the Christchurch Town Hall. This will encompass the idea of the “Whole Woman,” with themes that relate to body, mind, and spirit. The preliminary organisation is being handled by the Christchurch branch of the National Council of Women and the Regional Women’s Decade Committee. Festival committees have already been set up to handle the basic programme, entertainment, and finance. The over-all convener of the initial coordinating committee is Mrs Grace Hollander, a pastnational president of the National Council of Women. Anne Johnson convenes

seminar are available from the Town Hall booking office. Men are welcome. It’s expensive, but the material I have on Sharon Lord makes me think this will be an exceptional experience. Women's Suffrage Day & National Organisation for Women invite interested non-members to a celebration of women’s suffrage at which M.P.S Ann Hercus, Ruth Richardson, and Mary Batchelor will be present. To be held at the Old Stone House, Cashmere, the evening is being organised in conjunction with the Cracroft Community Centre. © The National Council of Women is holding its annual Hilda Lovell-Smith function on September 14. Lady Hay will speak on “Women of China.” Tickets (33) are available for this dessert-and-coffee function. Telephone 555-137. Great days for Greta Valley The energetic Hurunui branch of the Plunket Society is holding a gala luncheon and fashion parade at the Greta Valley Tavern on September 12. Her Excellency, Lady Beattie, a former nurse who is known for her forthright views on child care and education, will be guest speaker. Luncheon guests will also be treated to a spring fashion preview. The occasion is basically a fund-raising exercise for the more than $lO,OOO needed by the Hurunui branch to meet expenses for the Hurunui Plunket nurse and the mobile Karitane nurse, for maintenance of the Plunket flat at Waikari, and the car replacement fund. Tickets for the luncheon are available from presidents of each of the nine Plunket sub-branches in the area.

Top early childhood position The first woman to hold the position of director of early childhood education for the Department of Education has just been appointed. She is Valerie Burns, who has a background in speech therapy, vocational guidance, and both university and teachers’ college lecturing. Mrs Burns’ last position was the senior education officer for early childhood education in the department. Courses © Womer. and Health, Hornby Family Counselling Centre, 93 Carmen Road. Looks at women’s physical, mental and emotional health. Lots of time for

discussion, ideas and information. The course includes speakers and visits. Organised by the Christchurch Polytechnic. Telephone 495-378. Quote

I will say, however, that you, men will have to be freed,

as well, though we women may have to kick and kill you into freedom, since most of you will embrace death quite gladly rather than give up your power to hold power. Robin Morgan.

Items for consideration in this column should be addressed to Mrs J. Steincamp, Home and People page, “The Press,” P.O. Box 1005, Christchurch.

Making it happen

the important programme sub-committee. A meeting for all those interested will be held at the Young Women’s Christian Association, 85 Bealey Avenue, Christchurch, at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 2. The organisers would like to hear from all groups and individuals wishing to be involved. For further information, contact Lady Hay, telephone 791-660; Nan Farrant, telephone 583-529; and Anne Johnson, telephone 559-895. Or write to ’‘Women’s Festival,” P.O. Box 1319, Christchurch. U.S. visitors

It never rains but it pours. In mid-September there are three fascinating, top American women speaking in Christchurch. Robin Morgan, the feminist poet and political activist, will speak at a meeting in the Stringleman Room, Christchurch Public Library at 7.30 p.m. on September 19. The cost is ?4.

Dr Judith Stiehm, professor of political science at the University of Southern California, will be speaking at an open meeting organised by the Society for

Research on Women on the topic of “Women’s View of Politics in a Man’s World.” The meeting is at midday on Tuesday, September 11 in room 326 of the Social Sciences Building, Canterbury University. All welcome. Bring your lunch.

Dr Stiehm will also speak at a meeting organised by the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs at the University Staff Club, 87 Ham Road, September 11, 8 p.m. All welcome. Dr Sharon Lord, who was the highest ranking woman in the Pentagon — the civilian equivalent of a 3-star general — will be running a seminar organised by Catalyst on September 15, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Conference Room of the Town Hall. Using the theme of “Leadership and Personal Power,” Dr Lord will preview and explore coming events in the workplace. She will discuss strategies for successful leaders, and ways to increase energy and concentration. She will also look at the differences between equal opportunity and affirmative action. Tickets ($35) for the