> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.changeout.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Parallels with the past - URL: https://www.changeout.org/parallels-with-the-past/ - Published: 2023-03-17T10:02:57.000Z - Updated: 2025-06-24T13:35:03.000Z - Description: Workplace organising - then and now. - Author: Lucy Caldicott - Tags: blog I had an excellent afternoon earlier in the week with a group of women learning about the Trade Unionist and Campaigner, [Mary Macarthur](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary%5FMacarthur?ref=changeout.org), and the National Federation of Women Workers and their campaign for better working conditions for the women workers of the Black Country. In 1910, Macarthur led the [women chain-makers](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/archives%5Fonline/digital/tradeboard/chainmakers/?ref=changeout.org) of [Cradley Heath](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cradley%5FHeath?ref=changeout.org) to victory in their fight for a minimum wage and led a strike to force employers to implement the rise. The women chain-makers played [a starring role](https://www.expressandstar.com/news/local-hubs/sandwell/cradley-heath/2022/07/28/cradley-heath-women-chainmakers-finally-get-their-moment-on-the-global-stage/?ref=changeout.org) in the opening ceremony of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. > Stand together, strong and splendid, > In your Union till you've ended > Tyranny, and with toil blended > Beauty, Joy and Art Lines from the song ["Rouse, ye women"](https://wdc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p21047coll2/id/5/rec/10?ref=changeout.org) from the [Warwick University Digital Archive](https://wdc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p21047coll2?ref=changeout.org) to be sung to the tune of ["Men of Harlech"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZmrS%5Fw6s7s&ref=changeout.org) Of course, it's impossible to ignore the dark and sad truth that many of those chains made by the women of Cradley Heath were destined to be used in the transatlantic trade in enslaved people. Bringing us up to date on exploitation of today's workers, [Amanda Gearing](https://twitter.com/GearingAmanda?ref=changeout.org), an organiser from the GMB union gave a really inspirational presentation about the campaign for better pay and conditions at [Amazon](https://www.gmb.org.uk/amazon/campaign?ref=changeout.org). **Interesting and useful links** ๐Ÿ–‡๏ธ Ramadan is coming up soon. [Here's](https://www.inclusiveemployers.co.uk/blog/supporting-muslims-at-work-during-ramadan/?ref=changeout.org) a guide on how to support team members who are observing the most holy time in the Muslim calendar. [This report](https://www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/research-reveals-29-of-charity-boards-are-all-white.html?ref=changeout.org) into ethnic minority representation on large charity boards of trustees shows a woeful lack of progress. 29% of charity boards are all white compared to 4% in the FTSE 100\. And it's worse at the executive (actual paid job) level where 62% of senior teams are all white. Face. Palm. [This](https://screenocean.com/?ref=changeout.org) is a brilliant archive of film footage. I found myself watching film of Nicholas II's coronation in 1896. **Day of the Week ๐Ÿ“†** It was [My Whole Self Day](https://www.ihasco.co.uk/blog/entry/3903/my-whole-self-day-2023?ref=changeout.org) this week. Many managers feel ill-equipped to support team members with mental health concerns. [Here's](https://mhfaengland.org/my-whole-self/resources/?ref=changeout.org) a tool-kit that might help. **What am I reading? ๐Ÿ“š** I loved [this article](https://theconversation.com/older-women-are-doing-remarkable-things-its-time-for-the-putdowns-to-end-199500?ref=changeout.org) about older women doing remarkable things. **What am I watching?** ๐Ÿ‘€ [Here's](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HTaWMrAIA8&ref=changeout.org) Michelle Yeoh's Best Actress Oscar acceptance speech. > Donโ€™t let anyone tell you youโ€™re past your prime. **What am I listening to?๐Ÿ‘‚** [Chase the blues away](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0esLYT1PXI&ref=changeout.org) by Tim Buckley. Nearly 50 years old but still fresh. **Joy-giving things ๐Ÿ˜** Here's a picture of the frosty garden. I'm very much enjoying watching all the birds on the various feeders. ![Trees and shrubs on a grassy lawn. There is a hedge and houses beyond](https://storage.ghost.io/c/57/d9/57d97f92-56a7-4c97-8c12-ac77d809cbf1/content/images/2023/03/IMG_0862.jpeg) Photo by me Have a lovely weekend. Lucy --- I write this newsletter because I believe in sharing progressive ideas that help us work towards a truly equal world. Share it with your friends so they can read it too ๐Ÿ“ฃ --- **ChangeOut* is created by Lucy Caldicott. You can find more about my work at* [*ChangeOut.org*](https://www.changeout.org/)*. If youโ€™re looking to have a chat about culture, leadership, purpose, equity, or a facilitated team discussion about any of those things,* [*get in touch*](https://www.changeout.org/contact)*. You can also find me on* [*Bluesky*](https://bsky.app/profile/lucycaldicott.bsky.social?ref=changeout.org)*,* [*Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/queenofthewestmidlands?ref=changeout.org)*, and,* [*LinkedIn*](https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucycaldicott/?ref=changeout.org)*.* If itโ€™s your first time reading this newsletter, find out more [here](https://www.changeout.org/about). ## Sign up for ChangeOut - Leadership . Purpose . Impact Writing and righting wrongs Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.