fi read
Community and Voluntary Action
Suggested by Karen Pirie
Karen writes,
“Fi is a remarkable and tireless activist and campaigner for women and girls, raising money and awareness about sexual abuse and domestic violence.
She has organised Penzance’s International Women’s Day charity cabaret for 14 years. A former Greenham Common woman, Fi’s activism also encompasses campaigning for peace, the environment, sustainability, social and climate justice. A single mum of four grown-up kids, these days she works as a nurse, writes (is part of the Mor Poets collective), sings and cycles everywhere.
As a lifelong feminist myself, I have huge admiration for Fi’s proactive and selfless work. A survivor of both childhood sexual abuse and domestic violence, she has spoken publicly many times about her experiences including to The Guardian newspaper, BBC Spotlight, BBC World Service, the Jeremy Vine Show, BBC Radio 2, to encourage others to recognise that there is no shame, and to ensure that it’s the abusers who are held fully accountable for their actions. A significant proportion of the money she raises goes to charities in Cornwall working within the sexual and domestic abuse fields.
Fi has lived in Penzance for 25 years. I first met her in connection with the International Women’s Day charity cabaret which has become an annual must-see event which is a hugely entertaining and ideologically vital community fundraising gathering.
She is also a co-organiser of Penzance’s annual 16 Days of Activism Campaign, calling for an end to all violence against women and girls. This year’s programme includes more than 26 events, most free to attend, taking donations for West Cornwall Women’s Aid.