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Jackie Weaver is our new patron!

MEDIA RELEASE

Monday 29 November 2021

 

Jackie Weaver becomes patron of Women in Public Life

Jackie Weaver, star of the viral online Handforth Parish Council meeting, has agreed to continue her relationship with Guernsey by becoming patron of Women in Public Life.

The decision follows her successful visit to the island in September, at the invitation of Women in Public Life, when she toured the island, gave inspirational talks in schools and entertained a packed audience at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts.

As Chief Officer of Cheshire Association of Local Councils, Jackie Weaver is passionate about local democracy. She’s determined to use her accidental fame to encourage more people – particularly women and young people from all walks of life – to get involved in local democracy

Since that infamous parish council meeting went viral in February this year, she has appeared regularly in the media, has her own podcast and has published her first book, “You Do Have The Authority Here – What Would Jackie Weaver Do?”.

Chair of Women in Public Life, Shelaine Green, says, ‘Jackie Weaver has 25 years’ experience as a champion of grassroots democracy so we’re thrilled that we will be able to tap into her expertise and moral support as our patron. Her visit in September was an absolute joy from start to finish and we are still following up with the women who were inspired by her.’

Jackie Weaver adds, ‘I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Guernsey, it is a wonderful island and my husband Stuart and I hope to return soon.  I love seeing the energy and enthusiasm that Women in Public Life are putting into inspiring and supporting women in Guernsey to stand for public office. So I’m very happy become their patron and am looking forward to being part of their journey as they travel from strength to strength.’

The full story of Jackie Weaver’s visit to Guernsey can be found HERE.

Guernsey’s iconic women of the future?

Thank you for nominating a young woman or girl for our future iconic Guernsey women campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day!

Nominations close on Sunday 6 March at 17.00.

Please fill in the details below.

miriam-makeba-SA

Miriam Makeba - South Africa

Nominated by: Christine James

Zenzile Miriam Makeba (1932 to 2008), nicknamed Mama Africa, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, United Nations goodwill ambassador, and civil rights activist. Associated with musical genres including Afropop, jazz, and world music, she was an advocate against apartheid and white-minority government in South Africa. In 2020 she was named one of Time magazine’s 100 women of the century. 

South Africa is ranked 12th in the world for percentage of women in national parliament: 45.8% (source: data.ipu.org) 

Are you from South Africa? Please email hello@womeninpubliclife.gg if there is a social or cultural group for people from South Africa in Guernsey.

Want to learn more about public office vacancies in Guernsey? 

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The original image “The Hague Jazz 2008 – Miriam Makeba” by Haags Uitburo is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. 

jacinda-adern-2

Jacinda Ardern - New Zealand

Nominated by: Martin Lock

Jacinda Ardern (born 1980) has served as prime minister of New Zealand and leader of the Labour Party since 2017. In 2019, she led the country through the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings, rapidly introducing strict gun laws in response, and throughout 2020 she directed the country’s widely praised response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ardern was the world’s second elected head of government to give birth in office when her daughter was born in 2018. ‘An inspiring Prime Minister who brought a nation together with true leadership, empathy and compassion.’

New Zealand is ranked 4th in the world for percentage of women in national parliament: 48.3% (source: data.ipu.org) 

Other iconic women: Dame Whina Cooper, nominated by Claire Fisher, and Kate Sheppard, nominated by Anna Cooper.

Are you from New Zealand? You may be interested in joining the ANZACs in Guernsey Facebook group

Want to learn more about public office vacancies in Guernsey? 

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