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Glasgow Women’s Library announces new “Responders of Colour” workshops

By John Freeman on March 23, 2022

Launched last year, Responders of Colour is a project from Glasgow Women’s Library combining creative writing with archives. In a new series of sessions for women* of colour and non-binary people of colour (16+), Responders of Colour will be examining depictions of women and girls of colour in the Library’s Girls’ Annuals archive – with annuals ranging from the 1920s to 1960s and more – and use creative tools to respond to these narratives.

British Girls Comics Annuals | Image: Glasgow Women's Library — *British Girls Comics Annuals | Image: Glasgow Women’s Library*

“We take stories where women of colour have been spoken over and spoken for, and instead write our own, new narratives,” say the team, “responding to the history held in our annuals’ archive, and telling new stories with our imaginations and voices front and centre.”

The series comprises a new group for four, in person, sessions working directly with the annuals at Glasgow Women’s Library itself, meeting at Glasgow Women’s Library for the following dates: Friday 8th April; Friday 22nd April; Friday 6th May; and Friday 20th May.

Workshops will be delivered in person, and will be using the annuals from the archive. Each session will include a discussion of a story featured in the annuals, and one or two creative writing activities around it.

This project runs over four sessions, and women open interested should book for all four (three is fine if you can’t make a session!) in one.

Glasgow Women’s Library is no ordinary library. It is the the only resource of its kind in Scotland and a true national treasure. As well as a lending library, GWL holds a treasure trove of historical and contemporary artefacts and archive materials that celebrate the lives, histories and achievements of women.

GWL also support thousands of women across Scotland every year, empowering women is one of its key aims, to improve their lives through its services and programmes, including support and activities that tackle a wide range of issues from poverty and women’s health, sexuality and surviving violence.

This event takes place in person. More details here on the Glasgow Women’s Library web site. For more information and to book, please email nadine.jassat@womenslibrary.org.uk. This event is for women* of colour and non-binary people of colour (16+).

*All women-only events are inclusive of Trans and Intersex women, as well as non-binary and gender fluid people who are comfortable in a space that centres the experience of women.

Accessibility: Glasgow Women’s Library is wheelchair accessible, with lifts to the first floor and the Mezzanine Floor. They have accessible toilets and all the bathrooms are individual closed stalls and are gender neutral. Our larger Events Space is fitted with an induction loop. A portable induction loop is also available.

Find more information on Accessibility at GWL or contact us and they will be very happy to offer assistance.

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John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.