50 years of absolute commitment to improve the lives of women in Brighton and East Sussex, with a vision that every woman has the opportunity of a full rewarding life.
I did not become involved until 2000, but I actively worked for improving the lives of women for many years through the 1960s and 1970s when women actively challenged and demanded rights as women.
In 1974 the much-maligned Women’s Liberation was formed; the first women’s refuge in the world was opened by Erin Prizzey in Chiswick; the Government responded with legislation – the Sex Discrimination Act and the Equal Pay Act.
In November 1974 the Women’s Centre opened its doors. The determination of the small group of women was formidable during the next 20 or so years. In spite of financial problems and changes of venues, the Women’s Centre became recognised as a charity, appointed a part time organiser and extended the areas of support.
I became aware of the Women’s Centre in 2000 when I organised a women’s fringe meeting during the Labour Party Conference and invited the women’s organisations. The event was held in the kitchen at the Pavilion.
Having moved to Brighton I said I really should be more involved in activities in Brighton. I got an immediate response: “How about supporting the Women’s Centre?” which I did for the next sixteen years as their Patron.
I so enjoyed my visits to the basement at the Brighthelm Centre, it’s base. It was a bit cramped sitting on a cushion on the floor and listening to the progress being made in extending the support they were able to offer and how they had been able to help. Finance was always on the agenda. The time came when they were unable to pay the rent. I pleaded with the Council and eventually we received £1,000. It paid the rent.
The blow came – facing eviction after seven years – when Brighthelm decided they needed the basement space. Appeals were made to find new premises, and eventually picked up by the Argus newspaper, which printed the story that Brighton Women’s Centre was looking for a new home. In response, a fabulous offer was received from Michael Chowen who had recently retired having sold his business. He had bought a building in Kemptown – 72 High Street – which he planned to let as offices. But, having read the Argus, he decided to offer it to the Women’s Centre.
Michelle Pooley and I met Michael at the building to decide if it had the potential to be a home for the Women’s Centre. My immediate reaction was that it was painted pale blue and then we saw the sign: Conservative Headquarters. It had to be repainted any colour but blue. That, however was minor to the significant improvements required, not least the provision of security and safety for ToyBox Crèche. There was also needed of a reconfiguration of the internal space and a fire escape.
In spite of this considerable cost, Michael said the offer still stands. We accepted and expressed our sincere appreciation. Many visits were made as the work progressed. It took time but eventually completed and a small rent negotiated. We moved in. What a great day that was.
We owe a great vote of thanks to Micheal and Maureen for providing us with a secure future. Michael so deserved his CBE for charitable services that he was awarded in 2015.
New ventures were taken on. Two years after moving in Lisa Dando was appointed as our full time Director. Over the next period of time the level of support grew; every time I visited I was told of a new venture working alongside with other women’s organisations in the City.
The time came when more space was needed, additional premises were rented whilst keeping some functions at High Street but inevitably that came to an end and the Centre left them to fully work from their current home at 22 Richmond Place.
Brighton Women’s Centre became a major organisation in the City, adding East Sussex to its area of work. It’s annual meeting became a city-wide public event and the celebration of International Women’s Day moved to the Dome, enabling other organisations to have space to illustrate their role in supporting women across the City and beyond. My role was to open the event with a speech on the importance and history of International Women’s Day.
I was kept up to date, Lisa and I had regular meetings, sometimes over lunch. I remember particularly being overwhelmed by the plans for future partnership working and the bids being made to finance those plans including financial support to increase the number of paid advisors, and the training of more volunteers.
It was an exciting time, Brighton the Women’s Centre becoming recognised as a major hub of support for women in the City.
I feel honoured to having a part of that development but after 15 years and reducing my commitments I had to resign and made my retirement speech on International Women’s Day at the Dome.
I go back to the November 1974, unbelievably 50 years ago and the resilience of those women, and the ones that followed; the commitment to improve the lives of so many women through good times and bad, to where we are today. Being recognised as a leading and award-winning women’s centre it is today.
My thanks to them all, the past and the present, to Lisa and the staff and volunteers of today.
I am honoured that I was able to play a small part in those 50 years.
Thank you.
Baroness Joyce Gould
BWC Patron 2000 – 2016