WOMEN are being encouraged to get involved in their nearest branch of the WI as volunteers prepare to celebrate International Women's Day.
Cumbria-Cumberland Federation of Women's Institutes (WI) is hosting a free event at Keswick Rugby Club to celebrate International Women's Day from 10am on March 8.
Chair of Cumbria-Cumberland Federation WI, Kathleen Bowron, told the News & Star that there has never been a better time to get involved and the organisation is not all about "jam and Jerusalem."
Kathleen said: "We're the largest non-political women's organisation in the country, it doesn't mean we're not concerned about politics, but we're non-political."
She explained that as well as meeting new people and opening the door to new experiences, joining a branch of the WI allows women to play an active role in the issues that matter to them.
Each individual member submits a resolution for consideration and up to six will be added to a shortlist.
SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM
Members across the country then vote on which topic should become the national WI resolution for that year.
Resolutions focus on a topic of national concern such as the scarcity of NHS dentistry, empowering WI members across the country to take local action.
Kathleen said: "Last year, it was 'dental health matters.' All the members of the Cumbria-Cumberland Federation, we put out an appeal for toothbrushes and toothpaste.
"We encourage people to write to their MP."
Kathleen originally joined the Kirkandrews-on-Eden WI in 2010 shortly after moving to Cumbria from Scotland.
She said: "It's a very good way of making friends, when I moved to Cumbria from Scotland, it was the best thing I did because I got to know people."
Kathleen is a multi-member, as well as her main branch at Kirkandrews-on-Eden, she is also involved in the Dalston and Cumdivock branch.
Joining the cause has opened Kathleen up to a variety of new experiences and opportunities.
She said: "We have tried for years to get away from the image of jam and Jerusalem.
"We've had someone showing us how to mix cocktails, circle dancing...as a federation we've done things like target shooting, archery, some of us have taken part in wild swimming, canoeing, abseiling, we do crafts.
She said: "You don't have to bake to be a WI member but we're proud of the fact the WI is the go-to if you have a question about baking."
To contact WI branches in your area and become a member, visit: https://cumbria-cumberland.thewi.org.uk/find-wi/bassenthwaite
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