Stage star acclaims Women’s Festival 08

Mar 7 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

ACCLAIMED actress Cathy Tyson was among the guests yesterday as Blackburne House launched a year of events for its Liverpool Women’s Festival 08, which it hopes will attract thousands of women to the city.

Billed as “a unique celebration to recognise the work, lives, and achievements of women”, the diverse festival will host conferences, exhibitions performances and talks with an array of well-known female faces, from Liberty campaigner Shami Chakrabarti to comedienne Gina Yashere.

Cathy Tyson was on hand for the launch after being invited to learn more about the Blackburne House Group, which provides training and opportunities for women of all ages and backgrounds.

“I was asked to get involved, and I thought the name Blackburne House is very respected and I’d love to come along and find out more,” she said.

She expressed her admiration for Claire Dove, chief executive of Blackburne House, which also marks its 25th birthday this year.

She said: “Claire is an icon for me. She came from the same area, where there was so much drama in Dingle and Toxteth, and people were leaving – I left, to go to London. For Claire to have remained here and built this up is remarkable.”

Claire Dove said: “What we have been able to do is train thousands of women and give them the skills to take their place in the local economy.

“Our focus is on non-traditional areas of work, like science, engineering, communications and IT. We want women to get the careers and really well-paid jobs they deserve.”

The Capital of Culture year proved the ideal springboard to co-ordinate a series of events throughout 2008, which they have announced to coincide with International Women’s Day on Saturday.

Yesterday’s launch included talks from Cathy Tyson and Sue Woodward, the MD of ITV Granada.

A series of Margaret Simey memorial lectures, a black women’s conference and a “Women’s Question Time” in October are some of the highlights of the programme that have already been confirmed.

Other organisations marking International Women’s Day on Saturday include the International Women’s Week Group who have arranged a Reclaim the Night march to take place from 7.30pm at St George’s Plateau.

The historic march protesting against rape and sexual violence against women has not been held in Liverpool for more than 30 years.

Former TV personality Floella Benjamin is giving a talk to mark the occasion at the International Slavery Museum on Saturday night.

vickyanderson