Sisters in London are Talking Issues: Capitalwoman Conference 2008

Suzanne Reisman — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:54:51 -0500

Imagine if a major US City – say, New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles – decided to hold a free citywide conference for women to address issues that affect their lives. How many people would come? How many protests would there be to using taxpayer money for a women's conference? Even if the conference were not city-sponsored, can you imagine the number of complaints in the conservative media about a city providing a forum for women to work on their issues?

As an American, a citywide forum for women sadly seems like something unachievable. Yet, on March 8, 2008, the Greater London Association partnered with the City of London to sponsor its annual capitalwoman conference. Over 5,000 women signed up this year – the conference's 8th! - to hear keynote speaker Angela Davis and have the chance to work with other people to find solutions to problems identified by women. (Just one more reason I love London…)

Loraine blogged about the event at London 2012 (yes, and that a blog dedicated to London's 2012 Olympics bothers to include posts on women and labor issues is another reason I love London…):

Saturday 8 March 2008 was International Women’s Day and the Greater London Authority (GLA) held their.. annual Capital Women’s conference which offers Londoners an opportunity to explore issues that affect women - transport, health, housing, working in non traditional careers like plumbing, and the environment. Of course, these issues affect men too, but gender inequality still exists in terms of pay and job opportunities so the conference was a chance to address some of the imbalances. The day was as much a celebration as it was information-sharing and awareness-raising, with women of all ages and backgrounds filling to capacity the QE2 conference centre in Westminster.

The audience asked about legacy for future generations of women; about keeping connected to values and goals; about integrity and commitment. They also asked how to counter the prevalent individualism of the 21st century and how to maintain an interconnected global community, and this is the link with the Games, our values and me – individuals make communities. Repeatedly and with inspiring humility and humanity Angela Davis described her many achievements and accolades, (and I’m paraphrasing here) as representing the accumulated efforts of many people; that without the input, strength and support of others there would be no Angela Davis.

Debra, an avid Anglophile traveled to London from the US specifically to attend the capitalwoman conference for the first time in 2004. She felt that the conference was "brilliant" (how British!) and highly recommends it to other women, no matter what their nationality. Not everyone was enthralled with the politics behind the conference, however. The Divine Granny noted that, "… Ken Livingstone and his bunch seem to take credit for everything. Politically it was boring." Still, she found the conference interesting and enthusiastically endorsed a bit by "the only female bespoke taylor in London." In my mind, though, that just shows the success of the conference in addressing careers that are not traditionally open to women.

Diligent BlogHer readers might remember that I blogged about the 2007 capitalwoman conference, too. My friend Mara attended with her husband and baby, and I was enthralled with the idea. Mara told me about the political support that the conference received – attracting important government officials who listened to what women had to say. Even if the Divine Granny didn't like that aspect of the conference, I love that politicians there bother to not only sponsor a women's conference, but attend it for the whole day as well.)

My friend again attended the conference this year, and while I visited her this weekend (maybe next year when I visit, I can time it better and go to the conference with her), she told me how she spoke to the mayor of London while on the elevator. I was overcome by jealousy that London women have such a unique opportunity to be heard, and how little (if any) controversy there seems to be that such a conference should even exist. Of course, while no utopia exists, sometimes I'm not so sure that our American founding fathers were right.

Suzanne also blogs at Campaign for Unshaved Snatch (CUSS) & Other Rants and loves British candy bars

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Sisters in London are Talking Issues: Capitalwoman Conference 2008