Hatpins to Hashtags

Hatpins to Hashtags is an innovative region-wide project developed by the Feminist Archive South exploring and reclaiming the tools of democracy to mobilise activism and celebrate herstory. Throughout Autumn and Winter 2018, a dynamic programme of digital engagement, educational workshops and exhibitions across the South West advocated for greater gender parity in local and national politics and increased knowledge of UK democracy.

Over the last 100 years, from hatpins to hashtags, women have defended themselves and fought for equal rights with whatever tools are to hand. Celebrating the legacy of suffrage and the Women’s Liberation Movement, Hatpins to Hashtags brought untold feminist narratives to light and raised awareness of how technology can be used as a tool in grassroots activism.

Taking place in Weston-super-Mare, Bridport, Wells/Glastonbury, Taunton and Plymouth, Hatpins to Hashtags consisted of three interwoven strands:

  1. Digital Democracy delivered intensive training days on working with participatory, active democracy platforms via adult education centres and supported women to cascade their digital democracy learning.
  2. Feminist Futures delivered a series of educational workshops for young people aged 16 – 30 at FE colleges and youth groups, providing engaging educational opportunities for young people to learn about the diverse histories of feminist activism as it links to contemporary debates about gender equality in their lives.
  3. Politics and Protest: Posters from the Women’s Liberation Movement was a touring exhibition of vivid and dynamic posters from the Women’s Liberation Movement, selected from the archive’s stunning collection of over 1000. The exhibition and talks enthused and inspired questions: What issues have been won? What is still to be done? The exhibition is now available for loan from the Feminist Archive South, for details see: h2h.feministarchivesouth.org.uk/exhibition-loan

For more information about how you can participate in the project, please visit the Hatpins to Hashtags website.