The archives...past Sheroes features
December 2006
Sheroes Inaugural Dinner!
The best laid plans... Well everything turned out fine!! Yes, it was the FIRST EVER Sheroes dinner, which was held at the Caribbean Scene restaurant in the Docklands.
So, to give you an idea of what you missed - we had around 20 ladies attending on a cold blustery October evening. Once the majority of the group arrived we were shown to our seats where each lady found her name card and personalised menu waiting for her at the table. (Thanks to the wizardry of Julie and Amanda). It looked so beautiful and professional that everyone forgave the fact that the ink began to rub off!! Even the managers were impressed, asking to keep one for 'future reference'. We'll be keeping our eye on that for copyright for sure (joke).
After a few late arrivals (no names, we were just worried!), and a few very nice cocktails, Delia opened the evening with a short speech which the whole restaurant had to listen to. They didn't seem to mind and after a short reminder of what Sheroes is all about, the group were ordered to eat, drink and be merry - something we went on to do in style.
The food was amazing with everything from Jerk Chicken, Curry Goat, Rack of Roasted Lamb, Escovitch Fish to Plantain Drops to mention but a few.. Our table was in the perfect spot to watch the gorgeous chefs - oops, sorry - food being prepared and served. The music was great and the chit-chat just flowed. People swapped places to get to know others around the table and some people even discovered they knew people in common. All in all, by the time dessert was served we were all chatting nicely, swapping phone numbers, tips etc - just as we at Sheroes hoped it would be!
There are some pictures so take a look and you'll see how much fun it was. We were very pleased that our first event went so well and are busily planning number two. To those of you who made it, travelling from near and far - we thank you for your support.
To those who couldn't make it this time - see you there next time around.
If you were there let our Sheroes readers know what you thought about the event on the Sheroes Forum.
Black History Month has come and gone...
So, once again Black History Month (BHM) has come and gone. No doubt most of you will have engaged in it somehow - through your child's homework, an event you attended or maybe just reading an article about it in a paper or magazine. Either way, BHM has become a part of our lives and, for the whole month of October we celebrate the achievements of a number of Black individuals as part of our history.
All too often however, we are celebrating the history of Black Americans without really delving into the history of our own Black history here, in the UK. Everyday we are creating our own history but are we even consciously aware we are doing this? What UK Black history will our children be reflecting on in 20 years time? Will they learn about Brenda Edwards, who in the late 1980's was Britain's first black woman to be a soloist with a national ballet company (English National Ballet)? Or the glittering career of the Right Honourable Baroness Amos, the first Black woman to sit in the Cabinet? Will they honour the achievements of double Olympian Kelly Holmes? And what do we ourselves know about these people? There are probably many other unsung heroes no doubt - these are just a few women (coincidently!!) who have had some profile at some point. But it's something to think about!
Sheroes think that it is up to us as a community to acknowledge our Black British history and challenge ourselves with the task of raising the profile of our legacy here in the UK. We thank the Americans for their ideas - now let's really make it our own. Our challenge to you (and ourselves)? Next Black History Month let's try and raise the profile of one, just one person who is relevant to us here in the UK.
Agree or disagree? Let's hear you view on this article in the Sheroes Forum.
Flying the Sheroes flag !
Sheroes briefly wanted to mention that we attended an Engage networking event recently, which was hosted by PricewaterhouseCoopers. If you recall, we featured Engage magazine back in June (to read article click here). If you are a business owner and interested in attending future Engage networking events, please visit www.engagemagazine.co.uk and add your details to their database.
To view Delia & Julie flying the flag click here