ON THIS DAY. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

It was a year ago when I started this blog. I fulfilled my goal to recycle my Maire Claire each month of a year’s subscription. Which brings me to today. International Women’s Day, March 2013. I would like to spend this blog post reflecting on a year’s worth of Marie Claire.

A few articles with weight got my attention, like the pledge for the Australian Childhood Foundation in April’s issue, July's emphasis on marriage equality and the November issue that highlighted domestic violence and White Ribbon Day. 

I noticed over the last twelve months that only three Australian women made the front cover of the Australian Marie Claire. I understand that a cover of a curtain, non Australian women may sell better, but to what point does an Australian magazine have the responsibility to reflect and represent Australian women? And to a greater extent, what responsibility does an Australian women’s magazine have in representing, support and informing Australian women about issues, that actually relate to the Australian women of today? 

In the December 2012 issue, touching on both the political and personal, editor Jackie Frank hosted a sit down chat, with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Sports Minister Kate Lundy, Attorney General Nicola Roxon, Families Minister Jenny Macklin, Finance Minister Penny Wong, Community Services Minister Julie Collins and Employment Participation Minister Kate Ellis – this was a great, fresh, current, breath of journalistic air. It was the kind of content that I personally think should be in an Australian women’s publication of Marie Claire's target age group (25-39). However I think it’s worth noting that Marie Claire did not seek this interview but it was apparently suggested to Jackie Frank by Ms Gillard's, Labor party ‘people’.

Of course I have totally directed this blog at Marie Claire, I have made no attempt to include or showcase any other Australian women’s publication and I recognise that. I simply picked up one of the many magazines that are available to us. But as one of Australia’s highest distributed women’s magazines, what option do we have? Is it a case of what we want or what we get given? For me personally Marie Claire wasn't enough. I often felt a certain, shallow undertone. Despite me being within Maire Claire’s target market, I just liked, but did not fall in love with this mag.

I feel Australian women’s publications are missing out on (I’d even go as far as to say excluding) readership. We need to find a way for Australian women’s publications to move forward, in both image and print, to stop talking at us and start talking for us. I don’t want to bore you with stats but out of 22,683,573 Australians, over half are female. Today one in every five people living in Australia, was born in another country, with two of the larger immigrant groups being from Vietnam and China. And of the 832,921 Australian women aged 25-29, over 20,000 of them are indigenous.

Publications have been revolutionary for Australian women of the past. I would like to see a change in women’s magazines for today.

AM

FITTED FOR FEBRUARY

 

 

Unlike Marie Claire’s target market some women don’t have $149 to spend on a Splendid white shirt for work or even want to ‘groom for success’ with a $280 Mason Pearson hair brush – both of which are recommended purchases in Marie Claire this month.

Some women trying to get into the work force don’t own the ‘wardrobe essentials’ needed to walk confidently into a job interview. That’s where the amazing non-for-profit organisation Fitted for Work comes in.

Working alongside job agencies in New South Wales and Victoria, Fitted for Work helps dress women for interviews. With assistance from volunteer stylists, the women try on and select outfits from a wide range of high quality second hand clothing donations and walk away, ready to walk into a job interview.

I think this is such an amazing, important organisation, where people’s time and money is well spent.

Fritted for work doesn’t just take clothing but money donations too. If you have an old, ill-fitting suit, or a beautiful blouse that you love but never wear, then help a sister out, Fitted for Work is the perfect place to donate.

You can donate here... www.givenow.com.au/fittedforwork

AM

THE SECRET TO FEBRUARY SUCCESS

February’s issues had a successful career theme,

- Closet Confidential was five pages dedicated to fashion’s hottest bloggers.

- Transformers showcased 10 different women who are “raising the bar in female achievement”

- Lead from Where You Are, a heap of advice on how to be a leader.

- Power Dressers, profiled thirteen of Australia’s busiest women on how they tailor their clothes to their careers

- Groomed for Success, style tips from successful women.

- Office Romance, a look into the two different beautiful officers.

- Give You Finances a Face Lift, tips on how to take control of your money matters.

- It’s All in a Day’s Work, followed the 9 to 5 workday of an artist relations manager, paediatric trainee and a womenswear manager.

- Woman of Influence, the Telstra business women’s award.

This issue is the exact reason why women’s refuges don’t accept women’s magazines. It either could be taken as inspiring and motivational or depressing and demoralising, a double edged sword. It did make me wonder about ‘inspiration’, where we get it and who we get it from?

I realised this month that I’m an inspirational fridge’a. I collect pictures and quotes (usually cut out of newspapers and magazines) and stick them on my fridge. In my last house, my flat mate and I covered our fridge doors until they disappeared under a collage of entertaining cut-outs and butterfly magnets.
 
And the house I’m in now, the fridge theme, ‘the summer of love’

I believe collecting images that spark a thought, that’s positive or amusing, should be kept. Positive affirmations, stick them on the fridge, that’s my advice. The other thing I do is arrange the most creatively inspiring images on my bedroom wall, or stick them down on cardboard.

I found the article on Office Romance inspiring and Holly Garber in Power Dressers, but for me, that was about it. So I went through February's issue of Marie Claire, cover to cover and every time I thought ‘that’s inspiring’, I cut it out. I had quotes like “are you ready to jump out of bed and have a spring in your step?” and “celebrate today.” I cut out images of fruit, girls with amazing eyeliner and books. I had a stack of images, quotes and colours. Then I arranged the best together to create something that is personally inspiring – an inspiration board.

So before you throw out your magazine, flick back through, and cut out and keep the images you find inspirational.


AM

JANUARY WALKERS

This January I went to visit my Nan, at 75 years old she opens her house and her arms to my big family at least twice a year.

I took my January issue of Maire Claire with me and it got Nanna’ed (a term my family uses to refer to something that goes missing) I assume it’s in the stack of magazines that sits on her coffee table and I only hope she gets some use out of it.

My Nanna lost her partner, my Pop, some 18 years ago and has lived alone ever since in a small town, where the main attraction is fishing.

My Nanna, as so many other women of her generation in Australia, was married young and dedicated all her time to three children and her husband. The all of a sudden her children were grown, with lives of their own and her husband in an urn beside her bed. She was alone for the first time in her life and she slipped into depression, guarded, nervous, scared and sad.

She kept to herself, and would walk alone, and after several years of walking past the same fisherman, one of them approached her insisting she should join his wife’s walkers group. I can only imagine my Nan’s embarrassment, as she absolutely refused.

Weeks went by and Bob the fisherman kept persisting, one day telling Nan if she didn’t show up to walkers the next morning his wife Betty would come collect her from her house. Mortified Nanna was pushed to the edge of her comfort zone, something that scared her more than someone she didn’t know was someone she didn’t know coming to her home.

I imagine my Nan, in her early sixties, brushing her short, curly, grey hair and apply her light pink lippy. Lacing up her trainers and feeling ill with nerves as she walked herself to the local walkers group. She was naturally such a shy person, when anyone tried talking with her she would blush red. She must have just wanted to turn around, go home and close her front door. But she didn’t turn around and the several steps she walked that day with the other seniors in her town helped her take a giant step forward.

Fast forward seven or so years and I was sitting next to my Nanna on the little bus that the walkers had hired for their monthly excursion, we walked around a lake in some random town, ate at a boiling club and visited a chocolate factory, my Nanna laughing and chatting with the other ladies all day.

Today, the walkers meet up once a week, Nanna and Betty still walk every day. Poor Bob the fisherman has since passed away but thanks to him my little Nanna came right out of her shell. I would now describe my Nan as a woman who’s independent, capable, and strong.

I’m so glad my Nanna found her local walkers club.

The Heart Foundations walkers groups are Australia’s largest network of free, local walkers groups, including groups for over 50’s. The Heart foundation website has a page for people wanting to find a walkers group in your local area. Walkers groups are a healthy and amazing activity for women. Community and socialising is an important part of life no matter how old and walking is a great way for seniors to get active. heartfoundation.org.au

 

THE WISHING TREE

 

 A couple of year’s back I volunteered at a Salvation Army Christmas lunch in Surry Hills. I remember it being uncomfortably hot, in the air-conditioned drop in centre. What I also remember from that day was a room filled with kids toys, as if the contents of a toy store were in one small organised room. Even as a 21 year old I pocked my head around the doorway in awe and excitement. After lunch, as I was leaving the children were allowed to go into the toy filled room and choose whatever they wanted!

To my understanding these gifts came from donations. They were toys collected from under the Kmart wishing trees. As a kid I use to buy things for the wishing tree, wondering where my gift would end up, a good deed I seemed to have unfortunately grown out of. Maybe as a kid you take more notice of the wishing tree and of presents and Christmas shopping is not such a chore.

 Luckily the wishing tree is still getting noticed by christmas shoppers. Last year the wishing tree raised over 461,000 gifts. It’s a great appeal, an avenue to get presents to kids that aren’t as fortunate as my niece and nephew.

 

The Salvos do some amazing work for our communities, and runnging every December for the last 25 years, The Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal, is one of them.  

WRAPPING UP DECEMBER

 

This December I recycled my Marie Claire as rapping paper, it was easy, creative and looked great!

 

 

POST SECRETS

Have you heard of Post Secret? They invite people to anonymously contribute a secret, written on a postcard and sent to the group art project ‘Post Secrets’. The secret can be about betrayal, desire, humiliation; anything as long as it’s true and something you have not felt comfortable sharing.  

I asked friends if they could share a time when they’ve been a witness to or been aware of violence against women and felt they remained silent.

These are their secret regrets including one of my own. Written on collaged postcards that I made from recycling my October and November Marie Claire.

Thank you to those involved. And I'm sorry to the four anonymous woman who were the victims in these stories.

www.postsecretcommunity.com

LEAVING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

In the summer of 1971 the Bank of NSW gave Australians first loan to a woman without a male guarantor.

1973 saw Australia’s very first women’s shelter open for women wanting to leave violent homes.

It wasn’t until the late 1980’s that rape within a marriage became a crime in all Australian jurisdictions.

The last 40 years has seen women gain independence and freedom within society, this gain in power has seen resources established for the ongoing support of woman in society. But even though women of today have more support than ever to escape abusive relationships, it hasn’t meant the abuse has stopped.

Often when we hear of a domestic abuse situation, we’re quick to ask, why doesn’t she leave him? Instead of asking, why doesn’t he stop?

White Ribbon Day tomorrow is a male led campaign that focuses on violence against women.

'www.whiteribbon.org.au'

 “Domestic violence includes physical, verbal, emotional abuse, stalking, abduction and confinement, deprivation of culture and spiritual rights, humiliation, harassment, intimidation, denial of access to money, resources, isolation from support, sexual abuse and assault, including rape and incest, threat or actual abuse, and as part of the continuum of violence, murder.”         -NSW Women’s Refuge Movement

Radio National’s Natasha Mitchell, interviews the CEO of the NSW’s Women’s Refuge Movement Tracy Howe and Jennifer on leaving a domestic violence relationship. Listen to it here on the link below.

'Radio National Lifematters Leaving-Domestic-Violence Podcast'

 

 

AM

OUR OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER COVER GIRLS

 

Both the October and November cover girls are women that are seen to have that all encompassing power and command that women strive to achieve in their lives. That’s great, but then there’s love.

Miranda’s found it – good for her, but pre Bloom was Adrian Camilleri who was locked up for fraudulent behavior. And Jen, now engaged, but for years the media portrayed her as being ‘unlucky in love.’

Society puts a lot of pressure on both men and woman to find love. But what happens when Mr Right turns out to be Mr Oh so wrong. No matter how greater command a woman has on her life, when she’s in love with someone that becomes abusive towards her, it’s a painful mess of a journey before she is emotionally set free.

November’s issue of Marie Claire touched on domestic violence in the special report ‘Why I Finally Left’ by Sabrina Rubin Erdely. The article tells how Mary Clemons finally escaped her husband’s abuse.

November also marks White Ribbon Day on the 25th. White Ribbon is a male-led campaign to change the attitudes and behaviours that lead to and perpetuate violence against women.

Their social media campaign gets people to submit an oath on the White Ribbon website. By submitting your name, you swear an oath to never commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.  Currently over 56,000 people have sworn this oath on the White Ribbon website.  

For October/November I’m highlighting White Ribbon and The Women’s Refugee Movement. I’m also cutting up both issues to collage postcards. I’ll keep ya posted

 

AM

SEPTEMBER ORIGAMI

According to Septembers issue of Marie Claire 'distinctly oriental aesthetic emerged from autumn/winter 2012/13 collections.' So oriental is the theme I decided to use.

Origami - a great way to recycle paper! It's time consuming but creatively satisfying. Cutting up the oriental themed photoshoot in the September issue, I made three bunting origami chains. I love them so much I'd like to keep them, but I'll sell them instead and the money raised will go to the Ronald McDonald House Learning Program.

 

 

 

 

 

AM

SEPTEMBER RONALD McDONALD LEARNING PROGRAM

For young kids who are sick for extended periods of time, with serious illnesses like cancer or cystic fibrosis, their youth is consumed by illnesses. They’re not only losing their healthy childhoods but also losing crucial parts of their early education.

Ronald McDonald Learning Program is Septembers Ronald McDonald House feature program. The program helps children catch up on learning by funding extra education assistance programs and children who have fallen behind at school due to serious illness.

Eliza story is touching and her and her mother have confidence in Eliza future. With the Ronald McDonald Learning Program they have been able to lessen the affect that Elizas cystic fibrosis has on her life.

Money raised this month will be going to the Ronald McDonald Learning Program to help inprove the lives of young girls and boys similar to Eliza.

AM

MARRIGE EQUALITY - Berlin

Me wearing our beautiful necklace

This August I worked alongside Millicent Nobis to create a handmade necklace from my recycled Maire Claire. The necklace represents not only gay pride, but story telling. While photographer Katrina James took the ladies portraits, I had the opportunity to discuss with these five German women, their thoughts on marriage equality in Germany...

No matter where you come from, no matter how lenient your government, no matter how accepting the community, not everyone can feel equal at the same time. In society one group’s detriment is another group’s benefit. There is no better example of this than politics.
 

My discussions with gay women, Lynn, Milena, Esther, Eve and Anna, reaffirmed my belief that it’s sad and pointless to refuse something in the lives of others, when it has no negative effect on your own. “Working against love” is simply not a positive way for anyone to live in this world.

If you want to know, ask, and if you want to learn, listen. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to hear the stories of the German women I met through this project. Hearing their opinions has given me a leg to stand on when I say, I think the laws of marriage should be equal in all human relationships.

Some Australians need to shake this idea that marriage belongs to Christians, because it doesn’t. Marriage is a human tradition that binds couples together – and in some cases more than just two people. Over time, marriage has adhered with society to include religion, social laws and social trends. The expectations of what exists within a Western marriage changes from generation to generation, not unlike pubic hair trends. What’s unconventional in one generation is ordinary in the next. We need our legal systems, not just in Australia but also in Germany, to adhere with its people.  All five of these women have different experiences and opinions on marriage but they all want to help others, their motives are obviously considerate.

I’ve come away from July and August with the feeling that we may not see marriage equality and acceptance for same sex couples in Western culture, during my lifetime. However we all wanted to be associated with this cause, because as women, we want to see an understanding society, not just for our generation but for our future generations.

Please scroll down to see the beautiful portraits of the five gay women, who helped me gain an understanding into what marriage equality means in Germany.

 
 

AM

MARRIAGE EQUALITY - Berlin

Esther von Schlieffn

26

German

"We have to be aware of the fact that we don't have any right to judge on other human beings as long they don't hurt anybody. Being gay is just as normal as being heterosexual - it's just rare."

Read Esther's interview by clicking here

Lynn Lauterbach

29

German


"I think religion and church are a place for everyone, they call, that we have to come in, but then there is no place for you, and this is a little bit sad I think."


Download Lynn's interview by clicking here













 






Eva Loska

 23

German

"I want to have the right to decide who I want to marry and that there is no difference if I choose a women or a man"

Read Eva's interview by clicking here

 






Anna Ley

34

German

"I love women and I stand by it. I would marry but that marriage would still be legally different than a heterosexual one in Germany. If heterosexual marriage and homosexual marriage were indistinguishable under the law, it would be an important step... But of course, such things take a lot of time."

Read Anna's interview by clicking here

Milena Kirsche

20

German

"I think when you really love a person you don't need to marry them. It's just totally conservative. But if you can help someone...then that's great"

Read Milena's interview by clicking here

MARRIGE EQUALITY - Berlin Contributors

Millicent Nobis - Jewellery Designer

 



Millicent Nobis

 

Millicent moved to Berlin, Germany from Sydney in 2010. She is currently working on her jewellery collection Mies Nobis. Millicent approached me about being involved in Recycling My Maire Claire and I was quick to get her on board. Millicent had strong ideas of the necklace she wanted to create from the beginning. And she had no trouble bringing these ideas to life. It's exciting to see the potential a couple of magazines have when put in the right hands.  

 

www.miesnobis.com



Katrina James - Photographer

Katrina James

Katrina James moved to Berlin 2010, she is a documentary and travel photographer from Sydney and when talking to Millicent about needing some great portraits shots for this project, she knew just who to recommend. Katrina loved the idea, and she easily brought the concept to life. Her honest portraits of Lynn, Milena, Eva, Anna and Esther were exactly what the necklace needed.

 

www.illgetyoumypretty.net

MEANWHILE IN TASMANIA...

So I have searched through the pages on The House of Reps website and apparently on August 22nd the bill ('the bill' being the Marriage Amendment Bill, to enable same sex marriages to be recognised and place no obligation on a minister of religion to solemnise a same-sex marriage. One of the two bills introduced to parliament) was referred to the Federation Chamber (A debate committee of.. surprise, surprise.. Members of The House) and I don't know when that will be...

"August 2012 Tasmanian premier LaraGiddings announced that Tasmania would pass new laws allowing same-sex couples to marry. Giddings received advice, from the Tasmanian Solicitor General, stating due to the 2004 federal Marriage Amendment Bill restricting the federal Marriage Act 1961 to the union of a man and woman, then marriage between same-sex couples would fall outside of the federal marriage act, and could be legislated by the state. Progress of any bill will be delayed until after the federal parliament have debated the issue."
- Wikipedia
 

AM

RE BLOGGING

Beautiful wedding photos I found during some research. 
The wedding of Lisa and Heather from the US.
Photographers Steve and Megan from Emilie Inc. Photography

Link: Emilie Inc. Photography blog

BERLIN PROJECT PROGRESS

The final recycled necklace, is going to be bigger and more colourful, a statement piece.
Something that represents the rainbow flag, inclusion, evolution, resolution, progress, communication and experience...

AM

BERLIN PROJECT PROGRESS

I cut my favourite colours, images and patterns from the July and August issues into squares, and creative Mies Nobis made them into wearable jewellery.

Recycled magazine necklace design trail number one... 

AM

MARRYING JULY AND AUGUST TOGETHER

We are now in August! And I’m in Germany!
I know what you’re thinking, I’ve missed July but I haven’t.

It’s just all part of a bigger plan.

I’ve had to marry July and August together for this big project. I needed more paper and more time than just one Marie Claire could offer.

The July issue of Marie Claire focused on their support of gay marriage. They published a series of celebrities wearing ‘I do’ slogan tshirts, with a brief quote about why they support marriage equality.

The House of Representatives sit in August 2012 from the 14^th to the 23^rd and if the amendment isn’t extended the MP’s will vote on same sex marriage being recognised in the Australian Marriage Act. 
I took this idea and run to Germany with it. Where same sex marriage has been legal for over 10years.   

I needed help for this project and where better to creatively collaborate than in Berlin, with Berlin based Australian jewellery designer Mies Nobis.

Mies Nobis

I don’t what to give too much away, but as August rolls on, so too will the progress of this project. It will all come together in the end... you’ll see.

AM

STITCH AND BE ENRICHED

I had lots of fun at our stitch and bitch - or as we renamed it ...
'stitch and be enriched'

I cut up the June issue of Marie Claire to decorate an old beanie.

I thought my beanie was inventive but not as inventive as some of the beanie at the Tali Gallery beanie exhibition.

Yet another month of recycling fun with my Maire Claire

AM