A report on Uist’s International Women’s Day celebrations from Norma Neill
Curiosity, a day out, meeting friends were perhaps some of the thoughts as 60 women met to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) at Cnoc Soilleir in Daliburgh last month.
Curiosity about why they had been invited to wear something with a history, a story to tell or something bought at the thrift shop. One pair of dungarees, covered in sunflowers, was worn to honour Ukraine.
IWD has been a regular event in Uist since the mid 1990s but it has its roots in the late 1900s when 15000 women marched in New York to demand better working conditions, better pay and voting rights. Since 1975, IWD has been sponsored by the United Nations and grown in status with the idea to think globally and act locally. Our venue this year was Cnoc Soillier, the new Ceòlas Uibhist and UHI building, and it provided a welcoming and enjoyable setting for the day.
Global was clearly part of this year’s event in Daliburgh as we welcomed women from across the world who have made their homes in Uist: Sweden, Switzerland, Poland, Liberia and North America. A special welcome was given to Katya and Julia from Ukraine as they and their young sons adjust to life in Uist. The raffle also had an international focus as it was supporting the Linda Norgrove Foundation, based in Lewis but helping women in Afghanistan. We raised £210.
The planning for this year’s event began in January with regular meetings of an informal ad hoc group of women, some ‘old timers’, some new to the island and the idea of IWD. Together the programme evolved with an overall theme of Inspiring Women and the idea of bringing to the fore the challenges of the climate and cost of living crisis. We talk easily about the weather but we are not yet used to the idea that the climate is adversely affecting our lives. So how do we talk about something we have not yet fully experienced, when we are in unprecedented and challenging times? This was an opportunity to find out.
Initial funding and partnership support was readily given by SHARE, the community thrift shop in Daliburgh. Additional funding came from Stòras Uibhist community fund, our South Uist councillors, and the Western Isles NHS, all recognising the importance of people coming together to talk as a vital step in finding solutions and common ground.
The focus of the morning’s programme was three films: An- Drasta! created in 2019 by local young people about how the climate is affecting the Western Isles with a plea to protect our shared futures; the second film only two and a half minutes long If the G8 were Kids points out in a semi humourous way that there is enough in the world for everyone – that is, if global leaders like the G8 could learn to share what they have; finally, Christiana Figueres who chaired the COP 15 and the Paris Agreement, presented The Case for Stubborn Optimism on Climate.
These films initiated lively discussions about how we are managing Our Future Our Uist. The main themes of the discussion will not surprise readers of Am Pàipear but it is useful to note the key topics that emerged: transport, the economy, the environment, crofting, food and infrastructure, what might change, what are some local solutions.
After a very welcome and enjoyable lunch provided by Am Politician, we moved into different self selected groups.
Christina Campbell provided hand massage and relaxation whilst Shona Curry examined the impact of stress on our nervous system and how to manage it. Alison Stockwell and Rona MacKay hosted What a Waste, exploring where our waste ends up and why. Olli MacLellan talked enthusiastically about overcoming the challenges of gardening in Uist. Kirsty O’Conner helped people embroider names of local women to the beautiful Suffragettes banner which had been created in Uist a few years ago and Julie Lewis opened a pop-up bookstall.
We also had representatives from Tighean Innse Gall and the Comhairle’s Financial Inclusion Officer advising about energy and financial advice and there was a collection point for our local food bank.
Pauline Prior Pitt shared her poems, including Taking It for Granted, reminding us of the difficult lives many women face.
A fashion show was then enjoyed with some stunning outfits from Daliburgh Thrift shop. The day finished with Susan Thompson chairing an impressive panel of Inspiring Uist Women including Sandra MacInnes, Alex Mackenzie, Rona MacKay, Theona Morrison and Marie Macmillan. They talked passionately about the future and the local projects that are being developed on Uist and Eriskay to combat climate impact, the importance of nutritious sustainable food and it’s role in supporting health and well being, the need for energy efficiency and how in our changing times we need to be resilient and more self-sufficient.
Taking care of ourselves and each other has never been so vital as we enter a different and unknown age.
We wake under the same sky
I take a bath, fill my bowl
Eat fresh bread, walk outside
Smell fresh flowers
Hold my babies, kiss my man
Dance in the rain,
Drink clean water, phone my friends
Laugh out loud, say what I like
Sing my song
Under the same sky you wake
Silence is your song
Outside is closed
fear chokes your empty bowl
Pauline Prior Pitt
