WAR declares Peace!
WAR is proud to have played its part in the protests, lobbying the FA & EFL, in the Media, at The Valley and in Belgium, but truth to tell its principle reason for existing – to counter Duchâtelet’s accusations of misogyny – vanished along with the ever-incompetent Meire when she buzzed off to the Wendies!
Some of us (gluttons for punishment!) went on to be involved in ROT and other protest activities, but we remain proud of the way female fans of all ages and backgrounds rallied to WAR, and would like to acknowledge the encouragement we received from the very first from the other protest groups, along with assistance from those with specialist skills, including linguistic and artistic. We will never know how much the protests hastened Duchâtelet’s departure, but to sit back and do nothing was never an option.
The WAR banner will be making its way to the Museum, along with other protest memorabilia, and let’s hope it never needs to see action again.
I put my hands up to only helping from my goaty outcrop when I could, mainly running the social media stuff. There were many many other wonderful women who did far far more. And I cannot wait to see them all at The Valley soon.
LLLBH!
Comments
I felt v proud the morning I discovered our Valentine divorce request posted in the small ads had made headline news in RD's local paper! (A brilliant idea from another of the gang who posts on here.)
Lots of little things and some big efforts along the way have all added up to this change in our club's ownership - eventually!
You know the saying - if you want something done, ask a busy person. So true.
I don't suspect this. I know this for a fact!
The headlocks were learnt from the same Nun.
The same Nun who gave us singing lessons.
I'd followed with interest and growing dismay the protests, the marches, the match interruptions. I'd wondered what I could do, when up popped a post from @Arsenetatters suggesting a female protest group to counter the false impression that the protesters were a group of men ganging up on a young female CEO. We knew the truth was simply that she was incompetent, and that female fans - although in the minority at protests, as in the stands - were as sick of her antics as the men were.
So we got together on line and were steadily working our way towards forming a group (as yet nameless) when THAT article appeared in the press, tipping KM for a top post in the FA. Within 24 hours, amidst a flurry of pre-arranged commitments to paid work, child care, hospital appointments, and - yes @Solidgone, even housework & shopping - we were named and launched.
Everyone picked up one of the tasks which needed to be done. I was busy typing and circulating drafts of a letter to the FA and information for the media. Others (who I won't name in case they wish to remain anonymous) set up our CL account, organised an email account, contacted existing protest groups for useful info such as media email addresses and artwork for our symbol, and even - thank you @Arsenetatters! - volunteered to be interviewed if the media were interested (they were). @Weegie Addick 's knowledge of Dutch was invaluable.
I cannot end without recording the invaluable behind-the-scenes work done by @Fanny Fanackapan in the run-up to the Unity March, pairing up women who were hesitant to join in because they did not know anyone else who was going, and encouraging those without funds to apply for the subsidised coach places.
So - here's to the future!
I hope women continue to play their part in representing fans, be it @Curb_It handling shirt sponsorship moneys, or @Weegie Addick on the CASTrust committee, or simply participating on forums such as this. On the club's side we have a glowing example with Tracey Leaburn helping new players find their feet. Maybe one day we will all be able to rejoice in having a competent woman in a senior management role at our club?