Unearthing Herstory: the u3a groups championing women's voices

This International Women's Month, learn about the u3a interest groups dedicated to exploring women's history and contemporary experiences.

Photo: Centre for Ageing  Better Image Library

Herstory at Wandsworth u3a

Penny leads Wandsworth u3a's Herstory group, which looks at the women forgotten by many history books.

I joined u3a about 15 years ago. I am the founder and group leader for Herstory. We started about a year ago now. I ask members to research women who have come to their attention, living or dead, and to go beyond Wikipedia entries. Our local libraries allow remote access to a variety of historical sources such as the Oxford National Dictionary of Biography and newspaper archives. Some may also follow up on women they have heard of on the TV or radio.

Last month we looked at Betty Papworth, an East End campaigner, and Sarah Robinson, the soldier's friend. We discuss these women and our own experiences. I am particularly keen to avoid defining women by the men around them.

The group helps me focus my interest in women's lives and the need to make them more visible. I also give talks to other groups about the women I have researched. To date these have been mainly from the 18th and 19th century.

Women are often invisible in history books and in any normal history group they will hardly get a look in. It is well worth starting a Herstory Group to bring them and their work to wider notice.

Women's Studies at Dulwich & District u3a

Dulwich & District u3a member Sandra leads the Women's Studies group at Dulwich & District u3a, which discusses and debates issues that impact women - sometimes with a historical perspective, but always with a n eye to the 21st century.

I joined u3a because of the range of interest groups that were on offer. I immediately joined the Women’s Studies group. We meet once a month for two hours in a local pub. 

We plan a programme three or four months ahead,  taking suggestions from group members. We look at all aspects of women’s lives, with a nod to issues that especially impact on women in their third age. We ask all members to bring a contribution to the discussion either from research or their personal experience.

We have debated female artists, politicians, athletes and scientists. We have looked at the world of work, the taxation and benefits system as they impact women, the health service, education and the arts. We do discuss women from the 20th century and their impact on present day. We have looked at physical and sexual violence towards women. There is an unending range of topics. We go to relevant exhibitions and occasionally share a book or and article.

I have learnt much from this group about so many aspects of women’s lives and the characters who have impacted my life in the 21st century. I have also made many new friends. I would encourage any female u3a member to join or set up a women’s studies group. It's important to make it a forum members can enjoy and where they can be stimulated and valued for their contribution.