Welcome to the Southern Women's Action Network (SWAN) website.
We are a diverse group of women of all generations, who meet in Mt Martha or Mt Eliza, Victoria, Australia, for a few hours on a Sunday morning five times a year in March, May, July, September and November.
SWAN acknowledges the Bunurong / Boon Wurrung people, the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters where we meet. We pay our respects to Elders, past and present. In line with our commitment to social justice, SWAN unequivocally supports First Nations People in their campaigns for sovereignty, self-determination, treaties and truth-telling.
SWAN meetings have an emphasis on 'Social Justice Issues" and provide a forum for matters of concern to women. Our meetings also promote women's active involvement in the community. We share morning tea, listen to an interesting female guest speaker, and have an opportunity to share ideas and information with each other.
Membership is informal and new members are always welcome. Please consider coming along to a meeting or email swanwomen@outlook.com to be added to our email list.
Between meetings we may suggest actions members can take on social justice issues. We promote social justice actions on our Facebook page and Instagram.
If you would like to donate to support our social justice actions there is a link on the "Contact us" page.
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25th Birthday Celebration (March 2022)
Due to Covid this was delayed from November 2021. The delicious cake was cut by Denise Hassett and Fran Rule, foundation members.
Celebrating Fantastic Women
STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MUSEUM ON THE DEATH OF
JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG
Ruth Bader Ginsburg made history as only the second woman-and the first Jewish woman-to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. Yet her legacy extends far beyond this historic role alone. Ginsburg was a brilliant legal mind; a fierce advocate for pay equity, gender equality, and women's rights; and a champion of representation, justice, and democracy. Most importantly, she inspired girls and women all over the world to chase their dreams,
fight for their seats at the table, hold positions of power, and to use their voices to make the world a better place.
The loss of Justice Ginsburg is profound. As we join our nation in grief, we also celebrate the tremendous and inspiring life she led and the gifts she has left with us: a more just, equitable, and representative world. We'll continue to honor her incredible accomplishments and the many ways she's left her mark on women's history by not just telling her story, but by working to ensure that all women have their voices heard and their stories shared.
To that end, we're establishing a doctoral fellowship in Justice Ginsburg's name to support research that furthers greater understanding of women's roles in our society.
Please visit our website to learn more about Justice Ginsburg and join us in celebrating her legacy.
National Women's History Museum
Email: info@womenshistory.org Website: womenshistory.org
Museum, 205 S. Whiting Street, Suite 254, Alexandria, VA 22304
Interesting Article in the Age from Nyadol Nyuon, a recent speaker at SWAN
Yes, the South Sudanese community faces struggles, but there is hope
SWAN turns 21 ! (November 2017)
To celebrate this significant achievement we dispensed with our usual format. Instead our November 2017 meeting was a joyful celebration where foundation members and members from over the years shared stories and delicious food. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces from the past and to catch up with each other again. There was memorabilia to jog memories of all of the wonderful speakers that we have been priviliged to listen to at SWAN. There was also shared laughter when various ex committee members enlightened us about certain organisational 'mishaps'. It was encouraging to hear how things have on the whole improved over the past 21 years. The 21st sparked new enthusiasm for SWAN to continue to inform and highlight matters regarding social justice for women. A personal highlight were the messages from members unable to attend, through these, in fact throughout the whole 21st celebration, ran a common thread of strength and fairness illustrating what is possible when women join together united in a common cause.
Here's to SWAN's next 21 years.