Tag: Young Women’s Movement

Seeking stories from the YWCA’s Scottish history

Do you have memories from the old YWCA centres in Edinburgh, Penicuik and Dalkeith?

The Young Women’s Movement, formerly known as YWCA Scotland, is seeking stories from its 100-year history in Scotland, as part of an oral history project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The charity, which is Scotland’s national organisation for young women’s leadership and rights, is hoping to speak to people who were involved with the YWCA in Scotland from 1924 to present-day.

This could include those who worked or volunteered with the YWCA; stayed in a YWCA hostel or residence; or delivered or took part in activities or events with the YWCA.

The YWCAs in the area included the Edinburgh Morningside club, the Roundabout Centre on Gayfield Place, and the Lochend, Edinburgh, Penicuik and Dalkeith centres and residences. The charity are hoping to hear from people with memories of these.

The stories will be collected into a digital archive, which will continue to grow with new stories as the organisation’s work continues. The archive will serve as a record of our 100-year history and how life has changed for young women and girls in Scotland, and a source of inspiration for the next generation of young women.

This project, called Young Women Remember, is a participatory research project being co-produced by The Young Women’s Movement and a group of volunteer researchers from across Scotland.

Jenni Snell, CEO of The Young Women’s Movement, said: ‘We’re thrilled to be marking our centenary by uncovering and celebrating the work people put into our movement in its first 100 years.

“We know there are stories of activism, support, and community linked to our organisation all over Scotland, and we’re excited to bring those to life to inform and inspire our next 100 years of re-imagining Scotland for young women and girls.

‘If you have a story about the YWCA in Scotland to share, please do get in touch. Our thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for making this project possible.’

Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland said; ‘Thanks to National Lottery players our support will enable this project to connect across generations to collect and preserve this important heritage of grassroots community activism across Scotland.

“And, in the process, it will also deliver opportunities for young women to develop the valuable skills needed to gather and archive these stories.’

If you have a story to tell about the YWCA in Scotland, find out more at youngwomenscot.org/young-women-remember or get in touch via email to samar@youngwomenscot.org or by phone or text to 07538136230.

Stories of inspiring young women sought

The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its ninth annual 30 Under 30 list.

The list was established in 2016 to address the lack of diverse representation on other 30 Under 30 lists. It seeks to celebrate young women, girls and non-binary people in Scotland who are making change in their lives, communities or in society. Each year since its launch, the list has showcased some of Scotland’s most inspiring young artists, activists, carers, volunteers and trail-blazers from across the country.

Nominations can be submitted until Monday 1st July at youngwomenscot.org/30-under-30, where more information can also be found. Self-nominations are also welcomed, and The Young Women’s Movement is hoping to see stories from a wide range of age groups, parts of Scotland and areas of life.

Jenni Snell, CEO of The Young Women’s Movement, said: ‘In a climate of increased misogynistic rhetoric and challenging times for young women, our annual 30 Under 30 campaign is a much needed chance to celebrate and recognise the positive impact that young women, girls and non-binary people are having across Scotland.

“Young women are at the heart of everything we do at The Young Women’s Movement, and it is a privilege to once again hear and celebrate the incredible impact that they have in their communities and in society through this project.’

Young women’s voices to be heard at Holyrood

A group of young women from across Scotland will today take over a Holyrood committee room as part of a project to increase political involvement.

The Young Women Lead project, which is run by the Young Women’s Movement, is a leadership programme for young women aged 30 and under and aims to increase political participation and connect a diverse range of voices to Scottish politics.

The project will see the group hold a series of committee meetings at the Scottish Parliament in order to gain more experience of how the Scottish Parliament works.

Chaired by Deputy Presiding Officer, Linda Fabiani MSP, the committee meetings will see the group hear from a range of witnesses on the issue of sexual violence, particularly sexual harassment experienced by women in education, a topic chosen by the young women themselves.

Speaking ahead of today’s meeting, Deputy Presiding Officer, Linda Fabiani MSP said: “I am thrilled to be involved in the Young Women Lead project, a project which is designed to not only help young women across Scotland find their voices but to ensure that these diverse and underrepresented voices are heard in the Scottish Parliament.

“The topic which the group has chosen to explore is something that all too many women will have faced in their lives – sexual harassment and violence experienced in education. It speaks volumes for the passion and commitment of these young women that they are willing to tackle such an important subject and I am looking forward to seeing the impact they make.

At today’s meeting, the group will hear from Scottish Women’s Aid, Rape Crisis Scotland, Girlguiding Scotland and Zero Tolerance before meeting again at Holyrood on Friday 20 April and Friday 18 May.

Jemma Tracey from the Young Women’s Movement said: “Young Women Lead presents a unique opportunity to have young women in all their diversity feed into Scottish politics.

“It is such a privilege for us as organisation to have partnered with the Scottish Parliament in co-designing this pilot programme with young women.

“The Young Women Lead programme also supports young self-identifying women to develop leadership skills, knowledge of human rights issues, and their own professional networks. We’re aiming high, and we cannot wait to see how this programme develops. “

One of the participants in the project, Emily Davis said: “100 years ago, the first group of women in the UK got the right to vote. Young Women Lead allows us to stand together in the Scottish Parliament building and form our own parliamentary committee. That blows my mind. I know life is still hard as a woman. But this would have not have been possible years ago. I wish those brave women could see us now.”