On Wo Mo and
Angela Wilson
Sometimes the simplest
thing can change your life.
One minute you’re
watching a pop video, the next you’re contemplating the portrayal of women in
the media.
And so it was for
Angela Wilson, Hobart socialite and kind-heart, crazy Feminist and convenor of
women’s friendship gathering, Wo Mo.
I was five years old and watching Robert Palmer’s Simply Irresistible video with all those glamorous women dressed in
skintight minis. I turned to my mum, who has always been immaculately presented
and had a strong consciousness about women’s issues. I said, ‘Mum, they’re so
beautiful!’ And she asked me, ‘Don’t you think that’s demeaning to women?’
That was the start of a
different way of seeing the world that has guided Ms Wilson through the last
three decades. She went on to study gender studies and political sciences at
Uni and knocked on former Minister for Women, Paula Wriedt’s door at 21 to land
her first job as political adviser.
International Women’s
Day is celebrated on 8 March each year and in 2013, Angela was taken aback by how well all the celebrations that year had been received.
I thought, ‘Why do we only do this once a year?’
Ten years ago she met
her best friend Halena, eastern shore dweller and mother of two beautiful girls.
These days Angela doesn’t go much past Salamanca. At the time, their partners were
at Uni together. Contemplating this conundrum, she thought how can women with
such different experiences but the capacity to connect so deeply and enrich each
other’s lives get to meet?
I realised that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to get to know
somebody like her now.
And so Wo Mo was born,
as an opportunity for women to get together and make friends.
It is open to all women,
and they come – from different jobs, home lives, political persuasions, ages of
life – you get the picture. It’s kid-friendly and men friends are
whole-heartedly welcomed too.
A tip of the hat to the
rhythm of David Walsh’s nomenclature and his inspiration which is revitalising
Hobart, Wo Mo stands for women's movement. And it provided a new platform to celebrate
women-pride, a place where feminism is not a dirty word but worn as a
badge of honour.
Events are free or a
minimal cost and there is free food. They generally start at 5.30 pm and the duration is flexible. Some people stay a short while and others continue on into the
night.
 |
| Elise Archer MP and Angela Wilson, image courtesy of Wo Mo |
You can come along and
buy a drink or drink water. Sometimes it’s just a chance to chat to someone you
know, don’t know, or make a new friend. Sometimes there are speakers. Dianne Snowden,
former head of the Heritage Council spoke at last Christmas’ Female Factory
event. Elise Archer MP hosted WoMo at Parliament House to their largest crowd
of around 60 people. Recently Tanya Langdon, Palawa woman spoke.
The best way to keep up to date with events is via the Wo Mo Facebook page.
There’s one last thing
you should know, you’re welcome.
Find Wo Mo on Facebook
here.
