Persistence Theatre tackles tough topics over tea
We’ve come a long way in the battle for gender equality in the one hundred years since 1921. But, as demonstrated by the speakers at the Ladies’ Reading Room event on May 4, we still have a long way to go.
Persistence Theatre’s series of Ladies’ Reading Room events are presented as part of Votes for Women 100, which celebrates women gaining the right to vote in Newfoundland and Labrador. This event series, which features a new topic and new speakers on the first Tuesday of every month through November, tackles topics and themes relevant to women in both 1921 and 2021.
With over a dozen beautifully decorated tables set up at the Royal Canadian Legion in Pleasantville, Persistence did its best to recreate the original Ladies’ Reading Room — the birthplace of the Women’s Franchise League, and a space for women to discuss politics and affairs, as they were unwelcome in male debate societies and clubs.
“The women developed confidence as public speakers by giving papers, and debating and analyzing issues, all within a socially respectable atmosphere defined by cups of tea and genteel female company,” the 1997 Women’s History Walking Tour Booklet explained.
Persistence did a fantastic job recreating this vibe, as attendees chatted amongst themselves while sipping tea and nibbling on homemade sweets, baked by the Persistence Board of Directors.
After an introductory speech and content warning from Persistence’s Jenn Deon, the event kicked off with “Hush,” an original short play by Erika Squires.
Actress Heather Phillips played the role of Mary. Lamenting her duties as a housewife and mother, while preparing dinner and hastily “hushing” her children, Mary seemed to be in fear of her husband coming home from work. In short, Mary — like many women then and now — was not living the “fairytale” life she had envisioned.
The panel discussion, facilitated by Dr. Heidi Coombs, featured Sandra Mckellar (executive director of the N.L. Sexual Assault Crisis and Prevention Centre), Angie Brenton (child and family services co-ordinator for Iris Kirby House), and Sgt. Chelsey Guinchard (supervisor for the child abuse and sexual assault unit of the RNC’S Criminal Investigation Division).
The panelists discussed community issues as they relate to women’s health and safety, and what kind of work needs to be done to solve these issues, and provide better and more accessible services to people in need.
Other topics included criticisms and frustrations regarding the provincial judicial system and legal system, victim blaming, usage of the terms “victim” vs “survivor,” the #Metoo and #Timesup movements, long and short term effects of trauma, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls — one day ahead of National Red Dress Day on May 5.
It’s important to note that COVID-19 has negatively impacted outreach, but organizations continue to the best of their capabilities — the pandemic has led to an 33 per cent increase of calls since March of 2020, as people are trapped at home with their abuser.
All three panelists noted that gender-based violence and intimate partner violence (IPV) is not a “women’s” issue — it’s a societal issue.
During the discussion period at the end, hands shot up in the air, with many attendees asking questions about what they can do to help move forward with gender equality.
A great first step, Guinchard said, was simply by being here at the Ladies Reading Room, listening and learning.
We’ve come a long way in 100 years, but we’ve still got a long way to go … Thankfully, Persistence Theatre is helping us on our way there, one cup of tea at a time.