One More Life  - A response to Knife Crime Click here to listen

Precious Life This a capella song One More Life is a response to Knife Crime in London.  I found myself asking how can we help young people value and cherish the preciousness of their lives - to channel their passions into creating lives they love and becoming the leaders of the future. Throw-Away Lives I find myself witnessing a global de-valuing of life and humanity - a void which produces destruction of ourselves and our environment.  Numbed to our true preciousness, we fill our planet full of plastic, our heads full of nonsense, and our bodies full of toxins. In the City, it's so easy to run around like a headless chicken, seduced into throwing away precious moments in hypnotic illusions - worries, stresses, media frenzy - on and on it goes. Just this morning I found myself picking up a bag full of litter in a park I love, saddened by the lack of value those that left it felt for their surroundings.  Precious Spring Rising Yet as the faces of the precious spring flowers break through the earth, it only takes a moment to breathe in their perfume, to savour their colours and reconnect to the essential quick of life.  It takes just a little bit of exercise and good nutrition for bodies to feel vibrant. It takes just one hour of singing for people to feel uplifted and connected.  It takes just one touch of a lonely hand for someone to feel cared for. Restoring Preciousness As all the wise folks have reminded us throughout time, change is an inside job - if we learn to value ourselves, we can contribute more value to the lives of others. So I endeavour to take moments of refuge - to remember to breathe deep and get still, listen, reflect and make space for the creative spark of inspiration alive and kicking in every cell. It's right here in our bones and in our feet - the ancient and the new all singing within us with the wisdom of the ageless - the incredible symphony of life wanting to be heard and for us to sing our song within it. When we listen and tune into the song of life, every moment becomes precious every face we pass in the street every flower in the garden every step of our feet every breath of our Precious Life Wishing you a Life-Loving April Website: www.therosewindow.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katierosewindow Twitter: @katierosewindow

They Paved the Way - Women Making Herstory

They Paved The Way - Katie Rose

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They Paved the Way A Triibute to Women Making Herstory This is my song and blog for this year's #InternationalWomen'sDay2018 - a tribute to some of the many female activists and suffragists around the world.  1. Honouring Women in the fullest spectrum of gender rainbows Honouring that 'women' includes those who identify with being assigned female at birth (cis),  those who have transitioned (transexuals) and those exploring the full spectrum of expression beyond binary ideas of gender- such as Kate Bornstein, who having transitioned from male to female sees herself as neither, and describes gender 'as a conscious practice, and a playful journey.'    2.  Honouring Women in the fullest spectrum of global experience – Rebecca Lolosoli, Founder of Umoji a women-only village in Kenya In 1990, Rebecca Lolosoli spoke out against the rape of what is estimated to have been 1400 women in the 1980s & 90s by British soldiers.  She was beaten by local men and received no support from her husband.  She left her village and formed theUmojii village with 15 rape survivors, which now houses 50 women and 200 children seeking refuge from FGM, child marriage, rape and domestic violence.  In the Samburu culture, a woman is seen as property - circumcised child brides are bought by polygamous older men who often desert or infect them with HIV and STDs.  In Umoji, the women manage their own land and earn their own money through work such as beading, which has outraged local men.  Their rape cases are finally being investigated legally. I honour the experience of these and many other women facing injustice, degradation and violence across the world.   As a white western woman, I am acutely aware that the Western version of 'Herstory' is often whitewashed.   I celebrate the centenary of SOME white, propertied women in the UK getting the vote this year.  It only happened for black American women in the 1960s and women in Saudi Arabia in 2015 and in too many places is yet to happen.  3. Honouring the fullest possibilities and power of women Women can face and overcome incredible obstacles - such as Serena Williams who faced a barrage of  sexist, racist commentary and threats during the course of her extraordinary tennis career.  She has however always responded with grace, professionalism and tenacity, determining her own destiny and becoming the winner of the most combined (39) Grand Slam titles. This month in some of my choirs we will be singing Polly Bolton's song To Grace the Earth, a tribute to environmental and women's rights activist Wangari Maathai who knew that every tree she planted was an act of change.  On many occasions she was arrested and injured for doing so.  The Green Belt movement she founded in 1977 has since planted 51 million trees and she was the first African woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.  She knew that power lies in 'the little things citizens do. That's what will make the difference. My little thing is planting trees.’   4. Honouring Women with Acts of Solidarity  What can I do? - It's easy to feel powerless in the face of enormous issues facing women around the world. But following the example of these women, I can take small daily actions - such as sharing their story with you - to demonstrate my solidarity or Umoji - Unity - with them. Everyday there are daily actions I can take I can donate to Plan International who campaign for an end to child marriage and promote education for all girls and The Circle, Annie Lennox's Charity supporting women and girls facing inequality. I can attend #IWD2018 events to share solidarity with women in my city - including Gill Manly's IWD tea party on 10th March at the Oval Tavern which will include a collection of sanitary products for local campaigners against Period Poverty We-Stap. I can write share the stories of inspirational women such as Mayor of Croydon, Toni Letts who survived domestic violence and went on to lead an amazing career. I can sing songs. Your Turn - Have Your Say! What are your acts of solidarity this International Women's Day? How will you help pave the way for a brighter future for women and girls everywhere?  What we do today can make it a better world for people of all genders.  For when women grow, the whole world grows. Share it, tweet it, tell it!  April Call-Out for Your Questions/ Ideas  Do you have a question or topic you'd like me to write about for April?   It can be as playful or as profound as you wish... drop me a line atinfo@therosewindow.org Wishing you a wonderful March Website: www.therosewindow.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katierosewindow Twitter: @katierosewindow Photo: conducting 7 local choirs at the rehearsal for our wonderful concert to raise awareness of the Compassionate Neighbours Programme