Welcome to Women’s History Month 2023
Please join us in paying tribute to the women who have helped shape Hammersmith & Fulham as we mark Women’s History Month.
There are dozens of events taking place across the borough – many of which are free to attend. They will honour the many women who came before us, ranging from historical figures such as Fanny Eaton, Esther Bruce and Edmonia Lewis to the women making our borough an amazing place to live, work and visit today.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘innovation and technology for gender equality’. As our Industrial Strategy continues to attract the most talented minds to H&F, we want to celebrate the achievements of those who help create a more diverse, inclusive and gender-equal workplace.
I warmly invite you to join us as we celebrate local women artists in a month-long exhibition at the Lyric.
This event will also give you the chance to meet our partners at the Angelou service, including Refuge and Al-Hasaniya Moroccan Women’s Centre, who we’ve teamed up with in our bid to support for women and girls affected by domestic abuse and violence.
Meanwhile, every Friday and Saturday evening please look out for our Women’s Safety Champions in Fulham, Shepherds Bush and Hammersmith town centres. If you see them, please approach them, they’re here to listen and help.
Watch this space as we're adding to our listings as they become available. Or sign up to our weekly e-newsletter and we’ll update you as the events are announced.
You can also find out about some of the amazing women in H&F's past and present.
Cllr Rebecca Harvey
Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion and Community Safety
H&F Women's History Month Quiz
We've put together a quiz to celebrate the many contributions from the H&F women who came before us and are blazing a trail now. Give the quiz a go and see how much you know about the women of H&F.
Take the H&F Women's History quiz
Past events
Wednesday 1 March
Women’s safety stroll with the H&F Law Enforcement Team
Lyric Square to Hammersmith Broadway, 10am
How can we help make H&F safer for women? Meet and chat to women working in H&F’s Law Enforcement Team.
1, 8 and 14 March and 6 April
Bystander training with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust
Online, various times
Every woman has a right to feel safe in her own city. Learn how to step in to defuse situations, discourage harassers, and support victims of street harassment in these online sessions.
Friday 3 March
Women in Jazz Media presents: Lara Eidi
Jazz Café POSK, Hammersmith, 8.30pm
Singer-songwriter and artist Lara Eidi returns to Jazz Café POSK to present her new project “Troubadour“. Featuring Dave Manington (double bass and mandolin) and special guest Naomi Wright (cello).
Saturday 4 March
Girls-only open football training sessions
Fulham FC Training Ground, 9am + 10 am
Fulham FC will be hosting an open day as part of its Junior Pan DisAbility Girls Only Hub – the first step for women and girls on their footballing journey, or for the more experienced football players looking to play regularly in a safe and inclusive environment. Sessions are for girls aged 5 to 16 years, with any form of physical or learning disability or special educational need.
4 March
Unveiling a headstone for Fanny Eaton’s grave
Margravine Cemetery, 12 noon
Join us as we honour Britain’s first Black model on the anniversary of her passing in 1924.
Sunday 5 March
Women’s Freedom bike ride
Brook Green, 10am
Join one of the biggest rides through London this International Women’s Day. Meet in Brook Green to ride to the LCC Women’s Freedom Ride start line, departing from Marble Arch at 11.15am.
Monday 6 March
Celebrate International Women’s Day at Bush Hall
Bush Hall, 7.30pm
Green Note & FreeNow present... a celebration for International Women's Day.
Tueday 7 March
Write like a girl songwriting workshop
Riverside Studios, 7.30pm
Come along for an intimate evening of live music and storytelling from some of the UK's best up-and-coming artists and songwriters.
Wednesday 8 March
International Women’s Day bike ride
Meet at W6 Garden Centre, Ravenscourt Park, 11.30am
Join us for this women-led cycle ride from Ravenscourt Park, to Chiswick House via St Peter’s Square and Dukes Meadows. Spaces are limited so sign up today.
Wednesday 8 March
Women in non-academic careers
Sir Micheal Uren Hub, White City Innovation District, 4pm
Hear from Imperial Alumni about their path to a non-academic career, including Dr Georgina Cornish (AstraZenica) and Dr Mireia Mato Prado (UK Dementia Research).
Wednesday 8 March
Fashion Remiagined clothes swap + screening
Riverside Studios, 6.30pm (clothes swap) + 8pm (screening)
On International Women’s Day, this special #ReclaimTheFrame screening will be proceeded with a clothes swap (from 6.30pm) inspired by this sustainable fashion doc.
Wedensday 8 March
Kindred Rising | International Women’s Day Music Special
Kindred Hammersmith, 7pm
Discover some new sounds from up-and-coming west London talent at this all-women special. H&F residents go FREE.
Wednesday 8 March
She drew the gun
Bush Hall, 7.30pm
An evening of intimate, unplugged music and poetry in celebration of International Women’s Day.
Thursday 9 March
Fulham BID’s Violence against Women and Girls Conference
Stamford Bridge football stadium, 8am
Join Discover Fulham and the Metropolitan Police to join the discussion around what we can all do to help tackle Violence Against Women and Girls as we work to make H&F a safe place for everyone.
Thursday 9 March
Defying expectations with Dr Gifty Edila
Online, 1pm
Dr. Edila has personally won awards from the Black Solicitors Network and Excel Ghana Professionals Awards, as well as an honorary Doctor of the University degree from Loughborough University. Join us to hear her talk about how she defied expectations in her career to become one of the most sought-after legal brains in England and Wales. Click here to join the meeting.
Thursday 9 March
Through Her Eyes: A Celebration of Female Artists
Lyric theatre, Hammersmith, 5.30pm
Made up entirely of art by local artists, this exhibition aims to celebrate the world through the eyes of women and share their stories. Running throughout the whole of March, the exhibition covers a wide range of topics from race, to menopause, to the beauty of landscapes and life’s simple pleasures.
Thursday 9 March
Contemporary Irish neo soul ft. Tomike
Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, 7.30pm
An evening of live music, celebrating the next generation of women artists from London and Ireland. Featuring alternative, neo-soul singer songwriter Tomike. Tickets from £5.
Saturday 11 March
Dear Black Women’s and Girls’ Festival
Novotel Hotel, Hammersmith, 11am
This is an intimate event celebrating Black women and girls in the UK. Immerse yourself in community and hear about your fellow festival goers’ powerful experiences!
Saturday 11 March
Safe Gigs for Women showcase
Bush Hall, 3pm
Safe Gigs for Women are a charity fighting against sexual harassment at live music events. The line-up includes GENN, The Pearl Harts, Nectar Woode and Vanity Fairy.
Saturday 11 March
Celebrate prominent women jazz composers at Jazz Café POSK
Jazz Café POSK, 8.30pm
Head down to POSK Jazz Cafe to celebrating outstanding Women Jazz Composers including Alice Coltrane, Irene Higginbotham, Carla Bley, Betty Carter, Lil Hardin Armstrong and many more. Presented by the Urbański /Turville/Cywiński/Barford Quartet Tickets £15.
Saturday 18 March
Celebrating prominent Hammersmith women bike ride
Brook Green, 10am
Join this easy-going ride for beginners, less confident riders, families with children or if you just want to have a slow leisure ride.
Tuesday 21 March
An evening with Sheila Hancock
Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith, 6.30pm
Thursday 23 March
Women Who Lead Lunch
Megans Kings Road, SW6, 11am
Join the BEYOUROWN Women Who Lead Lunch for an inspirational workshop amongst other many of our like-minded ambitious community of women who are passionate about making impactful changes within their industry.
Every Friday and Saturday night in March
Women’s safety patrols stroll with the H&F Law Enforcement Team
H&F town centres, 6pm-12 midnight
Throughout March, H&F's Law Enforcement Team (LET) is running additional patrols in Shepherds Bush, Hammersmith and Fulham town centre. If you see our officers out and about, please stop for a chat to let us know how can we help make H&F safer for women.
17 and 25 March
Self Esteem live at the Apollo
Eventim Apollo, 7pm
British singer-songwriter Self Esteem comes to Hammersmith for three nights.
Friday 24 March
Film showing "Sophia"
3 Shortlands, W6, 5.30pm
Update 24 March at 12 noon:
Please note that due to copyright issues, we will be unable to livestream the film ‘Sophia' on YouTube or any other council platforms.
The film will still be shown in person at 3 Shortlands for those that are able to attend.
The following Q&A session will be live streamed on Zoom and H&F's YouTube channel to allow those joining remotely to ask questions. The Q&A will start at approximately 7.10pm. We apologise for any inconvenience.
Sunday 26 March
Oxford v Cambridge Boat Race
Furnivall Gardens and Bishops Park, 4pm
The annual Gemini Boat Race is back! Watch the 77th Women’s race from 4pm. More details here.
Tuesday 28 March
Hidden Voices: A focus on the experiences of women and girls affected by modern slavery and exploitation
Sands End Arts & Community Centre, SW6, 6.30pm
Join us for an evening of art and discussion as we highlight the often unheard stories of women and girls affected by Modern Slavery and Exploitation. The evening will include an exhibition of artwork created by women with lived experience of abuse, an interactive art workshop, and guest speakers who will highlight the experiences of survivors of sexual exploitation and forced marriage. Come along or join remotely!
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