Open Archive: Grit and Diamonds

In our Open Archive Session with Shirley Henderson and guests we’ll discover the impetus for co-editing the book, Grit and Diamonds, and we’ll explore the related items she has donated to GWL over the years.

Open Archive: Grit and Diamonds, Saturday 14th January 2023, 1pm to 3pm, GWL, Free

Glasgow Women’s Library came into being partly in response to the over-arching masculine narratives in Glasgow’s approach to being a European City of Culture in 1990. Women’s cultural history, while remiss from the planned celebrations, were very much part of Glasgow’s social and cultural history.

Grit and Diamonds: Women in Scotland Making History 1980 – 1990 co-edited by Shirley Henderson and Alison Mackay captures the decade leading up to 1990, highlighting women as active and important contributors to the city’s history. The book also includes a chapter on the need for better visibility of and attention to women artists by GWL co-founder Adele Patrick. 

This series of public events features a display of museum and archive items generously donated by Shirley Henderson:

Grit and Diamonds Display, Friday 6th January to Thursday 28th February 2023

Women in Profile 1990, Thursday 2nd February 2023 

This is one of our ‘Attend’ events this autumn! (‘Attend’ events mean you can listen or look in and enjoy the event with no pressure to join in, though there will likely be opportunities to chat too! ‘Take Part’ events involve a bit more activity or participation on your part, you are of course still welcome to do so as little or as much as you would like to.)

Booking

To attend, please book below and we will share an email invitation with you.  If you would like to make a donation to Glasgow Women’s Library, you can do so here.

Accessibility

Glasgow Women’s Library is wheelchair accessible, with lifts to the first floor and the Mezzanine Floor. We have accessible toilets and all the bathrooms are individual closed stalls and are gender neutral. Our larger Events Space is fitted with an induction loop. A portable induction loop is also available.

Find more information on Accessibility at GWL or contact us and we will be very happy to offer assistance.