As Gloria Steinem once said, “We need to remember across generations that there is as much to learn as there is to teach.” At its core, that is what Generation Women – a series bringing together women who span generations – seeks to achieve.
Each month, the series explores varying perspectives on a particular theme, delving into everything from ‘finding my voice’ to ‘new horizons’, with the event (which has since gone virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic) seeing six women share their unique perspectives. Of those women, each comes from a differing generation ranging from her 20s to her 80s.
Sparked by a conversation with her mum about the fears of “disappearing” as an older woman, New York-based author Georgia Clark brought the event to life in 2017 before it made its way to Sydney in 2018 and Melbourne earlier this year. The Australian author was inspired by that conversation, forming a space where women of all ages could have their voices amplified and celebrated, offering up a powerful and creative way of showcasing the complex female experience.
After attending one of the shows upon returning to Sydney from London, Brooke Farmer couldn’t help but become involved. Now the events director for the Australian edition, Farmer works tirelessly to bring these monthly shows to life, along with Donna Logue, the organisation’s creative director. As she tells marie claire Australia, while each theme and storyteller varies event to event, they all bring together an “interconnected female experience” that is unlike anything else.
Of that two year journey, Farmer highlights landing one of the shows as part of the Sydney Opera House’s All About Women event, a huge feat. In that special edition, each storyteller shared their “funniest stories and darkest moments on the theme of power,” says Farmer, with notable speakers including proud Gunai woman Kirli Saunders, best-selling author Melina Marchetta and activist Sylvia Kinder.
“While it’s different every month, it’s interesting to see how the women evolve over the years – it always begins on a topic of relationships, dating, starting work, those kinds of areas – because that’s where you are in your 20s,” Farmer says. “You’re figuring that out, and then as we move through the ages it’s about career, family – all of those things.”
As Farmer notes, it’s also not just women who differ in age, but those that differ in career, culture and experience. “Something that’s really important to us is diversity in all areas,” she says. “So ranging from those in careers to women who have been dedicated to raising a family, as well. There’s a massive spectrum of people that we get and that’s really important. In the end, we want there to be a story that is relatable to people watching.”
It’s also not a night of recounting “accolades” either, as Farmer explains, but rather digging deeper into experiences and lessons that shaped and affected who these women are. “It’s so deep in terms of what they’re talking about,” she says.
The next event, scheduled for September 24, is available to be streamed virtually and explores the theme of ‘Secrets & Scandals: What Nobody Knows About Me.’
It features Natasha Clark, a postgraduate research student at the University of Sydney studying literature. Though she is team 20s, Natasha has experienced her fair share of struggles dealing with a lifelong disease, ulcerative colitis. Also speaking is Morwenna Collet, “a lapsed musician, mother of a cheeky one-year-old and a lover of earnest Australia drama”, who is also a proud disable women with dreams of a future where everyone has equal rights to engage of the arts, and Gayle Kennedy, a member of the Wongaiibon clan of South West NSW, who has published 13 books, including her book of poetry Koori Girl Goes Shoppin’.
When speaking with Farmer, it’s easy to see why women are so inspired by these cross-generational events. Often times, younger women are looking for the reassurance that no matter where their career or personal lives take them, things are going to be okay, while as Clark’s conversation with her mother is anything to attest, there is much to learn from those who have paved the way.
And that’s exactly what Farmer says bringing these groups together achieves: connection. “Every single show we get people writing in, or even on the night saying to us, ‘Thank you so much. That was amazing. I’ve met people I wouldn’t have met before or that story really connected with me and has helped me find the confidence to do this’,” she says. “Over the last year and a half, we’ve created this community of women and men, this really strong community.”
She adds, “Where else are you going to walk into a room and there are women from every generation?”
For tickets to Generation Women’s upcoming series or to get involved, see here.
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