Yesterday (8th March) the world celebrated international women’s day, for centuries women everywhere have helped shape the world we see today. Let’s take a moment to remember some of these incredible inspirational women and how they helped make our world so much better.
Emmeline Pankhurst, was a member of the suffragettes a brave group that fought hard for women’s right to vote.
Mother Teresa, age 12 she decided she wanted to travel to India and help as many people as she could. She started a charity called the Missionaries who helped thousands of people in nearly 90 countries.
Malala Yousafzai, at the young age of just 14 she was shot in the head by the Taliban, she fought against the odds and went on to win a Noble Peace Prize.
Rosa Parks was a civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a bus in Alabama for a white person. This incredible act went on to start a nationwide boycott and launched the civil rights movement in the U.S.
Lastly I’ve chosen Florence Nightingale she went against was expected of her and became a war-hero nurse. Florence was born in to a wealthy family, but chose the path of selflessness and helped people rather than choose the easier option of a grand life.
Towns all across the world saw celebrations honouring the bravery, determination and resilience of all these women and more. Women have spent many years breaking down barriers, leading the way and making an impact all over the world. Just because we are female doesn’t mean we should be treated any less, so you’d think having one day a year where women can come together to celebrate their achievements isn’t asking for much? Right! But it would seem councillor Lewis Smith had other ideas.
In a full council meeting on the 25th February 2025 Councillor Tina Clements asked the leader of the council Carol Dean ‘Why the council had made no plans to celebrate International women’s day’ Labour Leader Carol Dean wasted no time in passing the blame over to portfolio holder Councillor Lewis Smith who replied with:
I appreciate the dedication and effort that you’ve put into championing this event, it’s a remarkable achievement to have established it and I understand from the deputy chief executive that your leadership played a key role in it’s success. However I understand that this year the event was not included within service plans and unfortunately the necessary resources were not available to deliver it. I want to reassure you that this was not a political decision.
He went on to blame officers saying they had other work priorities. He also stated the town hall could be used at no charge (how generous!). Clements who had organised this event off her own back with little to no help or money from the council struggled to understand why it was a resource and capacity issue, she also pointed out that maybe it was down to the fact that he just didn’t want to highlight the contributions of the female members in our our council and in our community. Councillor Natalie Statham was seen nodding her head and telling colleagues she agreed with Tina.
Smith carried on with his attack on council officers saying they would be held to account. As a large number of our council officers are female, is this Councillor Lewis Smith’s way of passing the blame and or responsibility to the women in our community and think they should organise their own event. I wonder if the same thing happened on the 19th November for international men’s day would Smith be passing the buck over to our male officers? In short it seems Councillor Lewis Smith just couldn’t be bothered to put effort, resources or respect in to celebrating anyone but himself or his massive ego. This councillor is a cabinet member and has responsibilities to our community, he failed to do this and not for the first time. Tamworth FC are still waiting for their celebrations. No respect all round from this councillor. Maybe a reshuffle is in order.
Councillor Tina Clements went on to organise her own event with the royal British legion because at least they know how to show appreciation and respect for the women that have come before us to change the world for the better.
So to all the Mothers, Daughters, Sisters, Wives and friends who make life more beautiful in countless ways, THANK YOU we appreciate you and all you do everyday.
[Debunking: Thank you to our Research Wench (yes she is perfectly happy with the traditional meaning of her moniker) who felt strongly about the lack of effort from TBC rather grating yesterday. This is not the first article she has written, but the first one with proper attribution, which given what the article is about, we thought would be rather inappropriate not to.]
