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Jackie Weaver, our patron 

Jackie Weaver, our patron

Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce that Jackie Weaver, star of the viral online Handforth Parish Council meeting, is our new Patron.

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.

Jackie explains: “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 helping them go from strength to strength.’

Star of 2021

Jackie Weaver became famous overnight when a recording of a contentious meeting of Handforth Parish Council went viral. Her calm management of the meeting – including banishing two members to the waiting room – endeared her to the British public.

Jackie has made numerous media appearances since, including Steph’s Packed Lunch and Have I Got News For You.

At the end of 2021, she featured in several media reviews of the year’s highlights:

Jackie Weaver came to Guernsey!

We first met Jackie Weaver in September 2021 when, at our invitation, she kindly stepped out of her computer screen and into Guernsey.

Over a very busy few days, Jackie toured the island, gave inspirational talks in schools and took to the stage at the Princess Royal Centre for Performing Arts for “You Do Have The Authority. An evening with Jackie Weaver”.

Jackie’s visit was an absolute joy from start to finish and we are still following up with the women who were inspired by her.

You can find videos of Jackie on stage, capturing all of her wisdom and wit, plus all the fun and photos from the rest of her trip, on this page. Enjoy!

Want to be the first to know about guests like Jackie Weaver in the future? Join our mailing list.

What would Jackie Weaver do?
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An evening with Jackie Weaver

First half:  Jackie Weaver speaks to Shelaine Green from Women in Public Life about THAT meeting, her new found fame, her tips for dealing with bullies and her passion for local democracy.

This is the full video. To just watch highlights of the interview, click here.

Second half:  Jackie Weaver explores the roles of three women currently in public office in Guernsey: Jurat Felicity Quevatre-Malcic, Leonie Le Tissier – St Sampson’s Douzenier and Deputy Tina Bury.

Fun in the foyer
The Guernsey tour

On her first morning in Guernsey, Jackie Weaver went on a tour of the sights of the island with Paul Chambers from Jackson Chambers Photography.  The photos were so amazing that one of them was used to illustrate an interview with Jackie Weaver in The Observer/Guardian.

Book signing

Guernsey had the honour of  hosting Jackie Weaver’s first ever book signing at the end of “An Evening with Jackie Weaver”.

On the night, the team from The Lexicon completely sold out of copies of Jackie Weaver’s book “You Do Have the Authority Here. #What would Jackie Weaver do?”.

The queue of people wanting Jackie to sign their copy stretched across the foyer of the Centre for the Performing Arts, from the bar to the front door.

To order your copy, contact the Lexicon on 01481 721120.

In the media
ITV Channel TV on Tuesday 14 September
BBC Guernsey on Wednesday 15 September
Bailiwick Express on Friday 17 September
Bailiwick Express on Friday 17 September
Guernsey Press 16 September
Island FM 18 August
Inspiring Guernsey students
Jackie Weaver in discussion with Sixth Form Centre students
Jackie Weaver meets with students from Blanchelande

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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