The Tradeswomen Building Bridges Community Picnic at Caledonian Park on June 12th was a massive success. Residents of Islington came out to meet us, ask questions, and listen to our stories about being women in the construction trades.

Member of Parliament for Islington South and Finsbury, and Labour’s Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry, Islington Mayor Marian Spall, Deputy Council Leader Diarmaid Ward, Councilor Jason Jackson, Councilor Hannah McHugh, and Councilor Saiqa Pandora spoke at the event about the importance of women in construction and the opportunities that the Holloway Prison Project represent for the community.

The Colleges of West, North-West and North-East London (CNWL, CWL, and CONEL were present to offer information on apprenticeships that they offer.

We heard from community activists Nikki Gibbs and Sophie Benedict on the importance of creating a womens building to house social services on the Holloway site.

We also heard from tradeswomen Bim Balogun Springer, Nikeia Hunter, Marie Havsgaard, and Doreen Cannon on their career journeys as tradeswomen.

It was fitting that this day of community advocacy took place at the site of a 40,000 gathering of trade unionists who came together to show support for the Tolpuddle Martyrs who were sent to Australia for forming a trade union. We came to London as proud trade unionists looking to spread the sentiment of solidarity and inclusion.