Writing Herstories: University offers free writing course for women with activism stories

The University of Portsmouth is offering a free Life Writing course this Autumn for women to share their powerful stories of activism and campaigning in Portsmouth. 

University historians are calling on women who have compelling stories of activism to attend the course, which will help them learn the skills to tell their story in either a fictional or factual mode.

Course leader Dr Laurel Forster, Associate Professor in Cultural History, said: “We’re looking for women who may have campaigned for women’s rights, lobbied for improved housing, schooling, green spaces or welfare. Or women who have set up organisations for minority groups or underprivileged children and adults. 

“Their stories could include protesting for peace, participating in Greenham Common and other peace camps, advocating for gay rights, or protecting vulnerable women by setting up centres and help lines. 

“Or maybe they have fought for change in their workplace, be it in the dockyard, the Navy, factories, or offices.”

The course aims to honour the rich history of women’s activism in the city by providing a platform for voices that have often gone unheard. 

Dr Forster added: “We have recently run a very successful project, Women's Community Activism in Portsmouth since 1960: The Hidden History of a Naval Town, where we interviewed over 60 women activists from the Portsmouth area. All of them had fascinating stories to tell and would be very welcome to apply to this new project.

“Our aim is that participants will gain valuable writing skills, enabling them to craft their narratives and ensure their stories are preserved and shared with a wider audience.”

Course numbers are limited, so, if you are interested, please reply with a three-sentence outline of your potential subject area. Please note: no previous writing experience is required.

For more information, please contact Dr Laurel Forster on laurel.forster@port.ac.uk.