Summary of Meeting
This month the talk was given by our very own Ellana, the Holly Lodge WI secretary. The enthusiastic talk was a glimpse into her new (free to download) book Women and Mythology about how the portrayal of female characters - both historical and mythological - have changed over the centuries. She talked about Cleopatra, Boudicca, Helen of Troy, and Cassandra. After her planned talk, it turned into a discussion involving the whole group about the way women are presented in TV, film, and literature; we also discussed briefly the power of the Internet.
Cleopatra VII of Egypt
Although we mostly remember Cleopatra for her beauty, it is misogynistic to think that was all Cleopatra had. In fact, she was an incredibly intelligent black woman of Greek descent, fluent in many languages, and was an excellent leader. She has been stripped down to being beautiful, a seductress; this was probably as a way to explain why such powerful men desired her. Indeed, coins from the time show that she was not as beautiful as later writers have imagined.
Cleopatra was a queen, a wife, a mother, a leader, and a woman. She was not just the one aspect that many have attributed to her.
Cleopatra was a queen, a wife, a mother, a leader, and a woman. She was not just the one aspect that many have attributed to her.
Boudicca, The Iceni Queen
Ellana started by telling us a charming fact: that her name was in fact Boudicca; Boudicea was a spelling error made by a monk in medieval times, and has just continued into modern times.
After suffering intense abuse at the hands of the Roman Empire, Boudicca revolted and led an army of Celts to destroy three important towns in Roman Britain - Colchester (the then-capital city), St. Alban's, and London. Even now, there is a layer of burning in the ground; this is archaeological proof that the areas had been burnt down.
Boudicca was a queen, a mother, a warrior, a leader, and a woman. She almost destroyed the Roman Empire, because she and her daughters were abused. Now, she has been mostly stripped down to the image of a red-haired woman riding a chariot, with her story mostly forgotten.
Ellana then went on to talk about the women of the Trojan War and the Fall of Troy, but for details of that you will have to get her book. Simply "express interest" in the book, and you will receive an email the moment it becomes available to download for free.
After suffering intense abuse at the hands of the Roman Empire, Boudicca revolted and led an army of Celts to destroy three important towns in Roman Britain - Colchester (the then-capital city), St. Alban's, and London. Even now, there is a layer of burning in the ground; this is archaeological proof that the areas had been burnt down.
Boudicca was a queen, a mother, a warrior, a leader, and a woman. She almost destroyed the Roman Empire, because she and her daughters were abused. Now, she has been mostly stripped down to the image of a red-haired woman riding a chariot, with her story mostly forgotten.
Ellana then went on to talk about the women of the Trojan War and the Fall of Troy, but for details of that you will have to get her book. Simply "express interest" in the book, and you will receive an email the moment it becomes available to download for free.
Other things you may have missed this month
Dismaland will be opening soon. It is a satirical "bemusement park" which will be open for a few weeks. At just £3 per ticket, it is definitely not something to be missed.
Pluto. Click the link to see why.
Pluto. Click the link to see why.
Dates for your diary
16 September, 7pm, Holly Lodge Community Centre - Our September meeting is a talk on dementia. It also coincides with the WI 100th birthday! Be sure to dress up as either a woman from the past century, or as a decade in general. Bring some readings with you too. We start early too - 7pm instead of 7.30pm.
21 October, 7.30pm, Holly Lodge Community Centre - Our October meeting.
24-25 October - The Gothic Valley WI are having their third annual Halloween party, and all genders are welcome. For more details, check out the Facebook event page. 18+ only.
21 October, 7.30pm, Holly Lodge Community Centre - Our October meeting.
24-25 October - The Gothic Valley WI are having their third annual Halloween party, and all genders are welcome. For more details, check out the Facebook event page. 18+ only.
Quiz!
The answers will be posted in next month's blog.