A New Kind of Women’s Movement

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This document presents discussion extracts about the need for a new kind of women's organisation that addresses the intersection of gender, race, and class in Britain. It highlights voices from women trade unionists and Black Labour activists advocating for inclusive, socialist feminist movements that challenge traditional male-dominated structures. The text underlines ongoing struggles around unpaid domestic labour, workplace inequality, and underrepresentation of Black working-class women in political and union spaces.

Key points:
– Betty Heathfield envisions a Union for Women to challenge male domination of trade unions and address unpaid housework and low-paid ‘women's jobs.’
– Women’s financial contributions to their families are crucial but undervalued, with domestic labour often unpaid and unrecognized.
– The proposed women’s union would organise those traditionally excluded, including unemployed women and activists from groups like Women Against Pit Closures.
– Sharon Atkin highlights the exclusion of Black working-class women from Labour Party women’s sections and the failure to fully integrate their political demands.
– A call is made to form a National Organisation that unites Black and White working-class women within socialist politics, ensuring equal participation and decision-making.

This document reflects debates within Black British political activism and trade unionism during the late 20th century, emphasizing the need to create inclusive women’s organisations that confront racism and sexism simultaneously. The activism and ideas expressed resonate with Bernie Grant’s legacy of fighting for racial justice, workers’ rights, and socialist principles within local government and national politics.

Source note: The OCR transcript contains some minor formatting inconsistencies and rare unclear words due to the source quality, but the overall content and key messages remain clear and interpretable.