Swindon Central Library celebrated International Women's Day with poetry, dancing and art in a day packed full of activities.
In the morning Bea Menier shared her colourful journals and showed us how to make every day count in her Creative Journaling workshop while Juliet Platt introduced us to reflective journaling in her afternoon workshop.
Other contributors included Hilda Sheehan, writer, performer and arts events organiser, who read from her newly published book The Night My Sister Went to Hollywood and encouraged members of the audience to read some of their favourite poems.
Dance teacher and director of Bollywood Dreamers Dorothy Clarke talked about her work in Swindon's twin town of Ocotal and gave a demonstration of a dance she taught on a visit to the Nicaraguan capital.
The International Women's Day extravaganza was the inspiration of historian, writer and campaigner for women's education and empowerment Rosa Matheson. In 2011 Rosa published 'A Day in the Life of 100 British Women' the proceeds of which go towards helping women in Nepal to develop their skills and become more independent. Friday's event saw the launch of another exciting project entitled 100 Women's Portraits in which Rosa is working in collaboration with artists at Swindon's Artsite.
The whole day was captured on film by Swindon photographer Sabine Coe. Here is a snapshot of the day's events and read more about Rosa's work on my post Rosa and Ian Matheson.
Bea Menier in conversation with Swindon Mayoress Ruth Bray
The Day My Hat Blew Off - from Bea's journal
5th October 2006
Hilda Sheehan
Rose
Kaye Franklin MBE reads from Jenny Joseph's poem 'When I am an old woman I shall wear purple'
Dorothy Clarke and the International Women's Day dancers
Sabine Coe in action