Report written by by Coral Fineman (Branch President and Women’s Officer)
On Saturday, I had the privilege of attending the Sisters AGM for the GMB Union as part of our International Women’s Day events. It was a powerful and inspiring gathering where women came together to share experiences, support one another and reflect on the progress and challenges women still face in workplaces and within our union.
The meeting took place at Mary Turner House, a building named after the remarkable Mary Turner, a woman who dedicated her life to fighting for working people and championing equality within the trade union movement. Holding the meeting in a place that carries her name felt especially meaningful.
A theme that really resonated throughout the day was a simple but powerful question: Do you own your seat?
Owning your seat is about more than just being in the room. It is about believing, truly believing, that you deserve to be there and that your voice matters. Too often women find themselves second-guessing their contributions, shrinking their presence or feeling they must justify their place. But the truth is simple: we have earned that seat at the table.
Just imagine what we could achieve if women everywhere felt empowered to take up space unapologetically. If we stopped shrinking ourselves and instead spoke with the confidence that our ideas, our experiences and our leadership matter.
The GMB Sisters Annual General Meeting and International Women’s Day celebration, reinforced just how important it is that women feel able to own their place at the table. We heard inspiring and empowering speeches from Ida Clem, who wrote the GMB policy guide and will be retiring from the union this summer after a lifetime of dedication to the movement. We also heard from Gmb London region president, Penny Robinson, who reminded us that there is nothing we cannot achieve if we go for it, and from Jon Hagarty, who shared some of his background as someone relatively new to the GMB and spoke about the importance of equality within our union.
When women come together with intention, when we support one another, speak openly, challenge outdated norms and push for growth, something powerful happens. The atmosphere shifts. The energy changes. Confidence builds. And that is exactly what happened in our room.
But there is no reason why that sense of empowerment should exist only in one room or one meeting. It should exist in every meeting, every workplace and every environment where women have earned their place.
Over the past year our women’s network has grown into something truly special, a supportive and powerful community of active members committed to lifting one another up and we want it to grow more. And that didn’t happen by accident. It happened because women chose to show up for themselves and for each other. We chose connection. We chose development. And we chose to believe in a future built on opportunity, positive change and careers where women can thrive.
Women must think big. Across workplaces and communities women are looking for spaces where they can grow, lead and be heard. Spaces where their contributions are valued and their voices carry real weight. We are deeply passionate about continuing to build those spaces, intentionally, thoughtfully and meaningfully.
Because when women thrive, we all rise. And when I say we, I mean everyone, regardless of gender or background. Empowering women does not exclude anyone. It strengthens all of us, creating stronger workplaces, stronger organisations and stronger communities.
So I will end where I began.
Do you own your seat?
If not, it is time to claim it. Sit proudly. Speak confidently. Support the woman beside you.
Because together there is nothing we cannot achieve. ✊♀️
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