Leicester (UK): The Brahma Kumaris, Harmony House in Leicester celebrated International Women’s Day, held annually on March 8th, with a program including a panel discussion. It was the first time that newly elected MP for Leicester East, Claudia Webbe, had attended a program at Harmony House, which is within her constituency. On the panel, her Labour position was balanced by the Conservative viewpoint held by Baroness Sandeep Verma, a longtime friend of the Brahma Kumaris.
Representing the Brahma Kumaris was BK Maureen, Program Director of the Brahma Kumaris at Global Co-operation House, along with BK Philippa Blackham, Journalist and former BBC Radio Producer, asking questions. The discussion explored the themes of the day, namely, creating a gender equal world and the notion of “collective individualism” which promotes the idea that we are all parts of a whole and that collectively, we can make change happen. There was also an exploration of the idea of creating “safe spaces” for women in society generally and BK Maureen explored the way in which we can create a “sacred space” for ourselves, so that we feel connected to a power greater than ourselves, no matter what is going on around us.
The highlight of the event was a presentation followed by questions with Group Captain Jo Lincoln, MBE, who recently took over command of Royal Air Force (RAF) Wittering, a position within the RAF that has rarely been held by a woman. She shared her vision of a values-led RAF in which the opinions of each and every serving member were equally listened to, a vision of inclusiveness and, above all, an atmosphere of safety where everyone felt able to say how they truly felt. Jo has a dynamism and energy which is highly infectious and by the end of the event, the gathering was left feeling that there was truly nothing that women can’t now do.
