Oxfam chain gang celebrates International Women’s Day centenary!
When: 2 pm, Saturday 12 March 2011
Where: Oxfam shop, Wilmslow Road, Didsbury
What: Oxfam volunteers chain themselves to railings outside the shop to commemorate suffragettes’ struggle on International Women’s Day
Women dressed in suffragette costumes will re-enact their sisters’ courageous struggle outside Didsbury’s Oxfam shop on Saturday 12 March. Oxfam volunteers will chain themselves to lampposts and railings outside the charity shop on Wilmslow Road to celebrate 100 years of International Women’s Day.
It was in 1910 that women’s activist Clara Zetkin first proposed the idea of an International Women’s Day – a celebration of women’s achievements and a chance to raise awareness of women’s issues. The first International Women’s Day was held in 1911.
To mark the centenary, Oxfam’s shop window will be decorated in flags and banners bearing the suffragette colours (purple, green and white) and the famous slogan, “Votes for Women!”
Throughout the day, a variety of work produced by women, including books, paintings and Fairtrade jewellery, will be on sale in the shop. Entertainment will be provided by local singer/songwriter Jo Lewis and all-female Manchester bands, Rubika and Doris & the Jumpers.
Oxfam manager Wendy Elliott said: “This is a great occasion to celebrate women’s achievements. It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness of Oxfam’s ongoing work as women throughout the world still struggle against poverty and inequality.
“Oxfam continues to support them in a number of ways such as raising funds to provide women in developing countries with access to education and opportunities to learn skills which will allow them to support themselves and their families.”
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