Women’s alternative to beauty contest

Press, 3 November 1984, Page 1

Women’s alternative to beauty contest

Various Christchurch women’s groups have organised an alternative function to the “Miss Asia Pacific” beauty contest to be held in Christchurch next weekend.

A spokesman for the women’s coalition, Ms Tig Brett, said yesterday that the function, to be held at the Great Hall in the Arts Centre, would be for women only. •-

“We are trying to (Jo something that is real for women and representative of the diverse talents women have,” she said.

The evening will be held on Saturday, November 10, the same evening and at the same time as the “Miss Asia Pacific” contest, which will be held at the Christchurch Town Hall. The women’s coalition had been, supported by various Christchurch groups of men who were also against sexism portrayed in beauty contests, said Ms Brett. The men had organised a

picket to be held outside the Town hall on Saturday evening, she said. The concert at the Great Hall would include theatre, poetry readings, ethnic music, parody, and women’s bands, she said. Ms Brett said the response from various women’s groups had been “amazing.” Tickets were selling fast, and the organisers had had a difficult time trying to fit in all the groups who wanted to per“We have organised this

with no money at all. The concert will show just what different talents women have. Imagine if the money poured into the ‘Miss Asia Pacific’ contest was put into something like this. It would be a good thing for women,” said Ms Brett. The group has written to various businesses to try to deter them from promoting the beauty contest. Next week a stall will be held in Cathedral Square with information aboutthe protest ' against beauty ' contests.