A Look Back at Our International Women’s Day Event Series
Throughout March, Makespace celebrated International Women’s Day with a series of events. Women’s History Month gave us the perfect opportunity to focus on the women of our community.
From poetry to performance, dinner tables to discussion circles, it was a packed month that showed what can happen when women face fewer barriers to accessing space. Here’s a look back at some of the incredible moments from the series.
And while it should go without saying, in the current climate we want to make it clear that Makespace is a trans-inclusive organisation. Trans women are always welcome in any space or conversation centering the experiences of women.
International Women’s Day at Makespace: A Roundup
Evoke Belonging: Urban Poetics at The Source kicked things off on March 1st with a special IWD edition of their monthly poetry and performance open mic night. It always centres African-Caribbean Diaspora poets, storytellers and MCs, and this time the experiences of women were at the forefront. Head to Eventbrite to keep your eye on future events.
Storytelling: The Heartless Giant. Lorna Burchell brought grown-up storytelling to a packed house at The Community Works. After the story, she led a group discussion about heartlessness in the world today. These three questions left us with lots to think about: Does it exist? Can it be cured? And, if so, how?
Rana Ibrahim of Iraqi Women Art & War’s March Pop-Up Dinner brought connection – and delicious food – to our calendar. Every woman who attended received a complimentary drink and a handmade gift. Rana is now running a monthly Mesopotamian supper club.
Activists and Agitators: Hidden Histories of Women in Oxford, hosted by Uncomfortable Oxford, spotlighted women who’ve shaped the city in invisible but incredible ways. It was Jamilyn’s first time giving a public talk, and she led the conversation with such insight and curiosity that the post-talk discussion was particularly rich.
Rana Ibrahim’s art exhibition at The Community Works ran throughout March and into April, featuring powerful, moving works of art made by Rana and the Iraqi Women Art and War project. IWAW works with Iraqi women based in Oxfordshire, helping them capture their stories of war survival through art.
The Hip Crowd, Oxford Poetry Library’s monthly daytime open mic for those with (and without) babes in arms, focused on centring women’s voices and experiences in March. Other regular OPL events also had IWD specials: This is Just to Say, The Drafting Table, Getting Started with Poetry, and Write Space. Find out more about Oxford Poetry Library’s events.
Beautiful Minds, a theatre group by and for neurodivergent adults, staged their first-ever public performance: Suffragettes. It went down brilliantly, and the group has since gained a lot of new members. Email Tracey Spokes to find out more.
Oxford Poetry Library hosted the launch of Laura Theis’ new collection, Introduction to Cloud Care, at The Community Works. Laura’s launch was a standout event that gathered OPL regulars and new readers alike.
Trying Something New
One of the joys of this series was seeing people take risks and try things they might not have otherwise had the chance to do. Taiwil Oluwatuyi – one of our residents at The Charter in Abingdon – trialled a sewing workshop session at The Source, her first in Oxford. Although timing worked against attendance, the interest was there — and she’s now exploring a more regular, possibly after-school session to meet the community’s needs. She also currently runs a range of workshops from our space The Charter, including dance classes and craft workshops. Check out her upcoming events.
Until next time
A big shoutout to everyone who made this month what it was — our residents, collaborators, artists, and attendees. Whether you led an event, came to support a friend, or just showed up curious, thank you.
We already can’t wait until next March!
