Rochdale charity celebrates International Women’s Day with inspirational speakers
Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT), the leading independent provider of domestic abuse services in Rochdale, hosted the celebration event for the first time in two years due to the pandemic
A domestic abuse and violence charity celebrated International Women’s Day with two inspirational speakers.
Rochdale Connections Trust (RCT), the leading independent provider of domestic abuse services in Rochdale, hosted the celebration event for the first time in two years due to the pandemic.
Attendees at the event, which was held at the charity’s building on Drake Street, included service users, councillors and a group of school pupils.
They were treated to two inspirational speakers who shared their very different stories of courage and standing up for something they believe in.
RCT deputy chief executive Bev Place said the event was a ‘huge success’.
She said: “There was a huge turn-out, with an audience which consisted of service-users’, local councillors, staff from the local authority, a group of students from Falinge Park High School, PCSO’s and representatives from other faith and community groups.
“Everybody thoroughly enjoyed listening to our speakers and celebrating the crucial role that women play in society.
“The theme this year was 'Break the Bias' and attendees were asked to make pledges about how they can realistically challenge the status quo."
The first speaker was Rae Street, from Littleborough, who has been arrested, travelled the world and camped out on an RAF base, all in the name of peace.
A relentless campaigner, Rae has spent almost 4 decades fighting to raise awareness of the devastating impact of nuclear weapons and calling for disarmament.
She was a part of the famous Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp; the anti-nuclear protest that spanned almost 20 years.
The second speaker was Professor Erinma Bell MBE, a peace activist who is renowned for her work tackling gun crime in Moss Side and Longsight.
Erinma was honoured in 2017 with a sculpture designed by Manchester artist, Karen Lyons, which was made out of 50 lethal firearms seized by the Police or surrendered during gun amnesties.
She is also an Honorary Professor at the University of Salford, a Deputy Lieutenant for Greater Manchester and was awarded the MBE for voluntary services to her community in 2008.
The event was fittingly closed with a short speech by Olga Kurtianyk, who is the chair of the Ukrainian Association in Rochdale.
She thanked everyone for the love and support provided to her and the people of Ukraine during this terrible time and provided details of how we can donate to the appeal.
