Activate Collective Launch event
The Activate Collective is a new feminist movement working to champion female community activists to stand for political office. Their mission: to fund brilliant women - especially disabled, low income and women of colour - who are supporting their local communities so they can bring their power and perspective into politics- creating better policies based on that lived experience. They want you to help them build the Activate Collective to sponsor women who are community activists, carers, mentors and champions for other women, to run for office. Women whose innovation, know-how and hands-on experience can transform Parliament, local councils and communities.
Get involved! Activate Collective is a national organisation but Project Manager, Katie McSherry is based here in the North East, one of three areas they are piloting. Meet the team, get fired up and find out more at one of their launch events! Both events include pizza, a screening of Knock Down the House, and a panel of inspiring female activists, some of whom are in politics.
Wednesday 29 January 17:30-21:00 in Middlesbrough with:
- Jessie Joe Jacobs, Community campaigner, founder of 'A Way Out' and Labour Candidate for Tees Valley Mayor
- Sophie Walker, Founder of the Activate Collective, Chief Executive of Young Women's Trust and former Leader of the Women's Equality Party
- Marsha Garratt, activist, researcher, educator and public speaker on racism and colonialism. Project Manager of Challenging Racism, Changing Lives project working for social change
Thursday 30 January 17:30-21:00 in Newcastle with:
- Councillor Irim Ali, trainee solicitor and community worker and Councillor for Wingrove Ward. Irim is the first woman of colour to become a Councillor in the North East.
- Dr Orly Siow, Lecturer on gender and politics at the University of Newcastle
- Heather Walters, Community campaigner and expert by experience on food poverty
- Zainab Asunramu, The Activate Collective
Both events are free and accessible. They can reimburse travel costs. Get in touch if you would like them to cover transport costs to bring a group: katie@timetoactivate.org
Following our launch, we will be:
- Kicking off a crowdfunder to raise money for female candidates from under-represented backgrounds
- Opening nominations for amazing women who need funds to play bigger
- Funding successful applicants in the Mayoral and Local elections in May – starting in the North East, London and Bristol
- Supporting community activists to expand their impact campaigns and consider running for elected office
- Giving female activists a platform to speak about their journeys on social media
Join the movement! Sign up here with a few lines about you, or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
