'I'll make you a sandwich when you make me equal'

The Essex Feminist Collective at an Oyster fest? How Curious! A quick Google and up popped the EFC's blog.

The Essex Feminist Collective was set up in 2013 and it's main purpose is to create a safe environment for women to meet and discuss feminist issues and to raise awareness through various campaigns. 

I was delighted to grab a few words with Helen McDonald who is a representative for the Essex Feminist Collective. Helen became aware of the collective via a friend from uni; Elisa mentioned the EFC on Facebook and Helen believed that it was something she definitely would like to be involved with.

I asked Helen what a typical EFC meeting would entail?

We meet once a month for about 3 hours and, typically, we will start with a bit of a catch up. This is a time when women often share their stories of ‘everyday sexism’, things that have happened to them or that they've heard about. It’s a good way to get some support from other women who will understand the situation and can offer advice or just reassurance.

We then usually have an outside speaker, unless we are dedicating the whole meeting to campaigning. We've had visiting speakers from Object, No More Page Three, Let Toys be Toys, The Women’s Budget Group as well as EFC members presenting on their own areas of expertise, such as the probation service, magistrates courts and education.

We end our meetings with some discussion of campaigns we’re either supporting or running ourselves. 

EFC recently had a pitch at the Oyster Festival, how did that come about?

Members of EFC at Oyster Fest

Earlier this year at a biker rally, I saw there was a stall for bike insurance that was being staffed by very thin, very blonde young women who were wearing very tight and very small clothes. It made me cross. Mainly because the women who were attending the rally didn’t look anything like them. Who were they appealing to? Just the men? It got me to thinking that it would have been great to have a EFC stall there to counter that message; to show that women are more than ornaments to sell something. I suggested it during a campaigning meeting and Elisa, because she knows everyone in Colchester, managed to get us a stall at the Oyster festival. That was our first public outing as a collective.

How was the public's response?

It was amazing! I was quite worried about how people would respond. I thought they may be argumentative but almost everyone was really supportive and interested in what we’re doing. We were selling badges and the one that says ‘I’ll make you a sandwich when you make me equal’ was very popular with women who were there with their male partners!

The EFC hope to continue raising awareness through campaigning at events, their monthly meetings and there is even talk of quiz nights and Karaoke! For more information you can search for them on Facebook or follow their twitter account: @EssexFemCollect