Women’s History Month: Making herstory

March is Women’s History Month and our theme this year is “PCS – We make history, herstory”. Find out how you can get involved.

Women’s History Month (WHM) takes place in March each year. It is an opportunity for women to come together collectively to celebrate women’s history. We reflect on the inspiring women who have made and continue to make positive contributions to our union and our communities across the world. Whilst acknowledging our achievements, we continue to fight for gender equality in all areas of life.

The theme for Women’s History Month 2024 is “PCS – We make history, Herstory”. Our women reps from the national women’s forum (NWF) were inspired by the STUC women’s committee’s Herstory Project to write and share their female activism stories.

PCS women members have written a number of WHM blogs and recorded a series of short videos. They cover topics including the value of joining women’s networks, how being a female trade unionist has given them confidence, and why we are all powerful women. Some members have also written about important women figures in history-herstory. We continue to learn from the women that have come before us, women who have worked tirelessly to break barriers, challenge gender stereotypes and fight for women’s rights.

The national women’s forum has produced some posters for your union noticeboard and also social media/Zoom backdrops 1, 2 and 3.

Events

National Women Against Pit Closures is holding an event on Saturday 2 March in Durham to recognise the 40th anniversary of the miners’ strike, supported by the PCS northern women’s network.

Our newly elected first woman general secretary Fran Heathcote will be speaking.

The event will showcase a range of women’s support group banners with a march over Elvet Bridge to the Fonteyn Ballroom, Durham Student Union building.

London and south east women’s network is running an event at Tate Britain, London on International Women’s Day, 8 March. It will include a tour of the Women in Revolt exhibition with curator Linsey Young, and Fran Heathcote PCS general secretary will also be speaking. For information, email londonse@pcs.org.uk. It’s free but spaces are limited.

Empowering young women in PCS has been organised by the national young members’ committee (NYMC) for 8 March, online from 6-7:15pm. It will discuss what holds women back from being active in PCS and what we can do to empower our sisters. Fliss Premru, a guest speaker from #MeTU will talk about the work they have been doing to support and encourage women in the movement. Register online.

On Monday 11 March 12.30-1.30pm, the forum is delivering a women-only event on Teams to continue on the WHM theme “PCS – We make history, Herstory”. Find out more details on our events page.

Training courses

There are still places available on the following courses:

Join your PCS national and regional women’s members network.