Pom Poms in the Palms of Peace

Yesterday was possibly the most dreich day of the year so far. I woke up to heavy rain and the greyest of skies. It didn't feel like a good day to be going outside.

But it was - I was off the the Scottish Green Party's Women's Network Day of Action!

I had been asked to host a craftivism element to the day. (For those unfamiliar, please do check out Betsy Greer's Craftivism and Sarah Corbett's work Craftivist Collective.) This is where I (try to) shine. I love crafts. I love working with my hands. I have also long struggled to find my voice politically. When a friend introduced me to the idea, it was like discovering coffee for the first time. Where had it been all my life? I ordered one of Sarah's Craftivist Collective Mini Protest Banner kits and reignited my love of hand stitching.

 I made this for an anti-fracking demonstration at Ineos, Grangemouth last year. I did try to tie it to a post at the site, but rookie mistake - my cable ties were too wee! Now it comes to all demonstrations with me, and I have others in the making!

Back to yesterday... The Day of Action was a day to celebrate and empower women, coinciding with the United Nation's 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence. With talks from Engender, Zero Tolerence, Women for Independence and the NUS, the discussions were highly thought provoking and inspiring! The NUS workshop in particular reminded me of the importance, and power, of language and communication.

My Crativism project for the day was "Pom Poms in the Palms of Peace".

Taking the colours of Green, for the Party, and orange, the UN's 16 Days of Action colour, I asked attendees to trace around and cut out their own handprint. and write a message inspired by the discussions and topics of the day. Then we made pom poms from tissue paper, which were threaded onto the paper palms, and hung on a "tree". The tree was made from oak tree branches which I tied together and mounted on a plywood cross for support. I then wrapped an old green tshirt around the base for aesthetic purposes.

This turned out to be a fun and simple way for the women to express themselves. Some found it to be almost theraputic; this is something which craft in general does for me and why I love it. Many now had a simple yet effective project to take to other aspects of their lives and share. One girl even went home with supplies to decorate her Christmas tree with Pom Poms and Palms!

Hopefully "trees" across the world might one day be blooming with "Pom Poms in the Palms of Peace". I will keep this project going until my tree is fully in bloom.

Thank you to Sarah for organising such a great event and inviting me to be a part of it, and to those who engaged with my project.

If you would like "Pom Poms in the Palms of Peace" to come along to your event, please do get in touch! Email me - gillsndrussell@gmail.com.

Speech! Speech!

It turns out to be pretty challenging to write a two minute speech. When you are passionate and have so much to say, finding the right words can be pretty difficult. Below is the full length version of my speech from Wednesday's hustings. Please read, and if you feel like, comment, share, challenge. I'm listening:

"I was delighted that the Southside Greens chose Govan as one of it’s target wards for the 2017 Glasgow CIty Council elections. Govan is a ward of continuous regeneration, and an area which I believe the Party should embrace.

As a former resident of Ibrox, I know that access to green spaces, affordable housing, childcare, education, and the regeneration of the Clydeside are issues which are as important to the people of these communities, as they are to the Party. It’s hard to ignore the importance of Govan in the political and social history of Glasgow, and this is one of the reasons that I love Govan.

This ward has seen many grass-root groups form as a reaction to local issues. Projects such as the Tea in the Pot have grown to help empower women in their own lives and encourage them become actively engaged in their own communities. Just across the road is the base of Starter Packs who help those making the transition from homelessness to tenancy. The Kinning Park Complex is more than just a space for people to meet, learn, celebrate. It is an asset to not just its local community but the city has a whole.

I find such groups inspiring, and for me, peer support is an invaluable resource and one I have found, through personal experience, to be at the heart of our Party. Helping such groups to shape their own lives is something I would do my utmost to promote and assist. I see the role of a Councillor as not just a political job, but also as a listener, a mediator, and as a supporter to citizens who might often feel helpless or frustrated.

I appreciate that some people might be unsure about the challenges that this ward presents. This is new territory for us. We are aiming for 11 Target wards, which is no mean feat, but I believe this branch has the courage and energy to rise to the challenge. The South-side sub-branch has a large membership, we already have members in this ward, and I am confident that we can all work together to make a Green Govan a reality.

On an individual level, I stand with a genuine interest and commitment to the people of Govan, whilst on a party level, I stand with fellow Green Councillors sharing concerns on social, economical and environmental issues. Glasgow could and should be a council leading the way for local authorities on these issues. It would be an honour to be part of a Green Team of councillors working to make this happen for the people of Glasgow and our Party.

This is my first time standing for such a position. I am currently an Ordinary Member on the Southside Organising Committee, as well as the Glasgow representative of the Women’s Network. These roles allow me to develop not only my interests of local politics and women’s issues, but my people skills and confidence too.

I currently work part time in an archive, as well as a self employed cat sitter in the south-side of Glasgow. Prior to this I worked in stage management. You might ask, how does this qualify me to be a councillor? Well, stage management involves working extremely long hours, contending with a variety of personalities and situations, putting other’s needs before my own. My work at the Archive encompasses everything from administration, community outreach, and being trusted with delicate objects and information. Lastly, cat sitting is not just a way to legitimise my cat lady status. From Castlemilk to Craigton, I have been getting to know like minded cat lovers of all ages, from all walks of life. Providing people with a trustworthy and reliable service has lead to many of my customers have since become friends.

For what I lack in practical experience of of the role, I make up for in passion and determination. I am standing to be councillor for Govan because I believe I have the open-mindedness, patience and integrity needed to be the elected representative of the people of this ward."

Gill for Govan

On Wednesday 25th November, I did something that I could not be any more surprised by, or proud of.

I took part in my first ever hustings, having put myself forward to be the Scottish Green Party's candidate for the Govan ward in the 2017 Glasgow City Council elections.

It wasn't an easy decision to make. I know that I can, and want to, be a Councillor. I want to do my best to make a positive difference to people's lives. I have an undeniable passion for the places and people of the ward that was once my home. I have the overwhelming support of loved ones and fellow Greens.

But I also have mental health problems and on-going physical health issues. Both manageable and at this moment in time, do not prevent me from fulfilling my jobs as a part time Archive Assistant and a self employed cat sitter. They do hold me back though, knocking my confidence and whispering to me that nobody will want to take a chance on an anxious, medicated, wheezy, overweight wee wumin.

This wasn't the first time I had considered putting myself forward. Others had put the idea to me, but I found it terrifying. Thoughts of "I would never be good enough." etc. made the decision for me.

What changed? When Govan was suggested as a possible Target Ward, I immediately felt motivated into making it happen. While fellow Southside Greens shared this enthusiasm, we all knew it would be the one ward that would require that extra push. Our Party is often seen as being full of bike obsessed, muesli munching, middle class, white males. It's an issue I have myself with the Greens, even though many of my male Green friends do not live up to such stereotypes. You would be surprised at us Greens if you got to know us.

So I thought, and whispered to a few folk, that if we go for Govan, I'll put myself forward for the candidacy....

Well, we went for Govan.

The self doubt slowly gave way to intrigue and hope. After many coffees and chats, my nomination was submitted. As a former resident of Ibrox, I have a genuine love for the area. I am also aware of it's many social and economic problems, and having lived through them, I have a determination to see positive change.

I believe in Govan, and I am starting to truly believe in myself.