{"id":8228,"date":"2023-12-01T13:59:30","date_gmt":"2023-12-01T13:59:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/?post_type=project&#038;p=8228"},"modified":"2026-03-23T17:02:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T17:02:06","slug":"on-our-own-terms","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/project\/on-our-own-terms\/","title":{"rendered":"On Our Own Terms"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>To celebrate International Women&#8217;s Day, Apples and Snakes hosted an event with Older Women Rock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018On Our Own Terms\u2019 was an in-person workshop of poetry-writing and portrait photography for women in our 60s and 70s, with spoken word poet Leah Thorn and photographer Anita McKenzie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Workshop<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Older Women Rock! creates pop-up art spaces in which to raise awareness and explore issues facing women in our 60s and 70s. The project challenges our invisibility by placing us centre stage on our own terms; unites us across differences of class, race and sexual identity; strengthens our resilience and our networks as we age; and challenges society&#8217;s assumptions and prejudices about us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through discussion and the creation of individual and group poems we explored issues like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>the lack of older women in the media and the misrepresentation of us as a stereotype or joke<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>the huge profits made from \u2018anti-ageing\u2019 products<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>poverty and the fact that many women have small State pensions because of low-paid work and\/or breaks in employment to raise children or to care for ageing parents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Love Your Lines with Older Women Rock\" width=\"720\" height=\"405\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/V9l8Q29LkGU?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In collaboration with older women textile artists, poetry and messages have been embroidered, burned, printed, beaded, engraved and spray-painted onto charity-sourced clothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What was created on the day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Through a combination of writing sessions, textile creation and a photoshoot &#8211; pieces were blended together to create imagery and poetry that reflected the voices of the participants &#8211; Jamila, Loan, Mary and Mia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Image credit: Anita J McKenzie | Healing Image Photography and Leah Thorn <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:68% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"971\" src=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-1024x971.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8236 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-1024x971.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-300x284.jpg 300w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-768x728.jpg 768w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-1536x1456.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Untitled-2048x1941.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>\u2018Up, up, up\u2019, said the bird.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2018Fly away, fly<br>through the leaves<br>towards the clouds and sky,<br>up above and beyond<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Loan Tran<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:68% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"786\" src=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Jamila-Signora_On-Our-Own-Terms-1024x786.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8234 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Jamila-Signora_On-Our-Own-Terms-1024x786.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Jamila-Signora_On-Our-Own-Terms-300x230.jpg 300w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Jamila-Signora_On-Our-Own-Terms-768x590.jpg 768w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Jamila-Signora_On-Our-Own-Terms-1536x1180.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Jamila-Signora_On-Our-Own-Terms-2048x1573.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Freed from fears,<br>freed from fitting in<br>and staying silent,<br>I claim voice, truth.<br>Connected in the<br>web of life,<br>I dare to go beyond,<br>stand, clear<br>and strong<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Jamila Signora<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:68% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1004\" src=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mia-Morris_On-Our-Own-Terms-1024x1004.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8233 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mia-Morris_On-Our-Own-Terms-1024x1004.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mia-Morris_On-Our-Own-Terms-300x294.jpg 300w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mia-Morris_On-Our-Own-Terms-768x753.jpg 768w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mia-Morris_On-Our-Own-Terms-1536x1506.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mia-Morris_On-Our-Own-Terms.jpg 2004w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>I remember red,<br>red walking shoes<br>from Clarks,<br>red lipstick to boot<br>and red hair, vibrant,<br>powerful, enlightening.<br>When I feel my spirits<br>ebb away, I rock my red<br>wardrobe.<br>Red Rules.<br>And hope<br>springs eternal<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Mia Morris<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:68% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"891\" src=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mary-Dickens_On-Our-Own-Terms-1024x891.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8235 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mary-Dickens_On-Our-Own-Terms-1024x891.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mary-Dickens_On-Our-Own-Terms-300x261.jpg 300w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mary-Dickens_On-Our-Own-Terms-768x668.jpg 768w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mary-Dickens_On-Our-Own-Terms-1536x1337.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/Mary-Dickens_On-Our-Own-Terms-2048x1782.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>so I shouted<br>I liked the sound of it<br>I stepped into the limelight<br>I liked the feel of it<br>they saw my gnarled hands<br>so I waved to them<br>put two fingers up to the doubters<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Mary Dickens<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Group Poem:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Ages of a woman<br>4 tasted of honey, fresh from the comb<br>4 was knowing the primroses belonged where they grew<br>4 was the wash of the ocean, taking me home<br>Birthing my daughter at 17 was emerald delight<br>30 was a ripe juicy peach<br>30 was standing on a mountain, looking out to blue sky and green hills<br>54 was threads of grief wrapping themselves around my being,<br>like a silk sari across the body<br>54 was swathes caressing my skin<br>63 is daylight. The sun has risen<br>63 is a truly inspiring, spellbinding, life-affirming voyage to the unknown<br>74 is a cliff edge, the sea rolling in the distance<br>74 is the gesture of two fingers up to the doubters<br>74 is a waiting room, waiting for the last train<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A group poem by Anita, Jamila, Loan, Mary and Mia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the facilitators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leah Thorn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>With warmth and passion, Leah uses spoken word poetry, autobiography and film to expose and challenge harsh realities of climate crisis, genocide, sexism and racism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In collaboration with filmmakers and musicians, she has made award-winning poetry films that have been screened at feminist, eco, Jewish and poetry film festivals internationally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a facilitator, Leah has extensive experience of leading poetry and expressive writing workshops nationally in arts venues, mental health facilities, women\u2019s groups, community settings, schools and prisons. Her facilitation style is rooted in her writing and performance practice, a background in psychology and 49 years of using and teaching peer-counselling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Leah has an MA in \u2018Creative Writing &amp; Personal Development\u2019 from Sussex University and is an International Fellow of the ImpACT research group, University of East Anglia School of Health Sciences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Website:&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.leahthorn.com\/\">www.leahthorn.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Anita McKenzie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Anita McKenzie\u2019s professional and life passions evolve around family, food, faith and photography. She is an award-winning arts and heritage practitioner, and works with visual arts, across intersectionality, to amplify unheard voices through creative projects and collaborations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anita is an Interfaith Minister, Spiritual Counsellor and plant-based culinary practitioner; her integrated approach to community building, personal growth, self-care and wellbeing, transcends the Western normality of fragmented mindsets to delve deeply into the undergrowth of our lived reality and personal consciousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instagram:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/sistahintheraw\/\">@sistahintheraw<\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/anitascreative\/\">@anitascreative<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Spoken word poet Leah Thorn and photographer Anita McKenzie celebrate International Women&#8217;s Day with \u2018On Our Own Terms\u2019. An in-person workshop of  poetry-writing and portrait photography for women in their 60s and 70s, <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8238,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_surecart_dashboard_logo_width":"180px","_surecart_dashboard_show_logo":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_orders":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_invoices":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_subscriptions":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_downloads":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_billing":true,"_surecart_dashboard_navigation_account":true,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[158,156],"event_location":[],"class_list":["post-8228","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-in-person","tag-past"],"acf":[],"taxonomy_info":{"post_tag":[{"value":158,"label":"In Person"},{"value":156,"label":"Past"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/d918ed_0052cf9e31ed479b9ec5895ee39141d6mv2.webp",676,379,false],"author_info":[],"comment_info":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/8228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/8228\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10282,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/8228\/revisions\/10282"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8238"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8228"},{"taxonomy":"event_location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applesandsnakes.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/event_location?post=8228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}