HACKNEY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY [IWD] CELEBRATIONS 2005

Mini Report 30th March 2005

Dear Friends,

We are grateful that so many of us have united and given Hackney women reason to celebrate the united human resource development paraded publicly by volunteers from as many organisations as a short pre-planning meeting would allow.  

The Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Hackney and the Baha’i community representatives who gave their time and effort as party to the planning meeting decisions taken; the securing and transport of 200 helium filled, white, printed balloons, the required helium canister, and the dressing and provision of leaflets, cards and materials appropriate for the Baha’i stall, was appreciated by all during the day. 

We were blessed with visits to the occasion from other Baha’i participants who added their support by coming to the celebrations on an uninviting rainy day. It was commendable to notice the mix, at close quarters, between people from our local community who were not designated Baha’is, working with Baha’is. We shared our appreciation for each other as voluntary organisations. The women of the Hackney Women’s Forum who orchestrated this event were remarkable in their professionalism and unity of purpose demonstrated, and welcomed our more than adequate support.  

Some volunteers, who also visited and helped at the celebrations, were Just Parents [a Baha’i inspired local voluntary organisation] tutors. Some visitors took Just Parents calling cards remembering the 2003 summer workshops and the benefit they and their friends derived. There was a natural cohesion and unbiased display of a ‘family union’ of practitioners, a covey of women communicating throughout the day between the both organisations and the others. The Baha’i Faith stall took the humble but prominent centre display of stalls and was foremost in its proclamation attempt. We trust that an enlarged lasting friendship as individuals, between us, will develop and occur.  

Mention needs to be made also of the PA & Video system volunteer who offered and brought his home equipment to augment sound with value, on offer by other contributors.  

Public attendance at the Round Chapel, for Hackney IWD, was representative of the bleak, rainy day in focus. The lack of prior public advertisement, once the event was postponed and another venue was sought, contributed to the poor attendance rating. In all, the event started on time, was very successfully administered and was completed ahead of schedule. We pray that the fall out of this event will encourage the ‘forum’ to establish growth in such a noble gesture and achievement, through repeats year after year.