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The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht

By: Susan Dalgety, Lucy Hunter Blackburn
Narrated by: Lucy Paterson
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Summary

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

On the 25th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, this book captures an important moment in contemporary history: how a grassroots women's movement, harking back to the suffragettes and second wave feminists of the 1970s and 1980s, took on the political establishment - and changed the course of history.

Through a collection of over thirty essays and photographs, some of the women involved tell the story of the five-year campaign to protect women's sex-based rights. Author J.K. Rowling explains why she used her global reach to stand up for women. Leading SNP MP Joanna Cherry writes of how she risked her political career for her beliefs. Survivors of male violence who MSPs refused to meet are given the voice they were denied at Holyrood. Ash Regan MSP recounts what it was like to become the first government minister to resign on a question of principle since the SNP came to power in 2007. Former prison governor Rhona Hotchkiss charts how changes in prison policy in Scotland led to the controversy over Isla Bryson.

It is the story of women who risked their job, reputation, even the bonds of family and friendship, to make their voices heard, and ended up - unexpectedly - contributing to the downfall of Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland's first woman first minister.

Above all, it is the story of the women who wouldn't wheesht.

©2024 Susan Dalgety, Lucy Hunter Blackburn (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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Critic reviews

A genuinely fantastic book (Hadley Freeman)
A must-read (Sonia Sodha)
Probably the most important political work to come out of Scotland this century (Kevin McKenna)

What listeners say about The Women Who Wouldn't Wheesht

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Outstanding

A fascinating account of the attempt by the Scottish parliament to reform the gender recognition act. Told from perspectives of women who understood the repercussions,

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Scary how the Scottish government got away with it!

Having followed what’s been going on since 2018 it’s terrifying how we have got to the position where we are! These brave Scottish women who had so much to lose, and in some cases did, have stood up and said no. The stories are terrifying & sound like something from a century ago and to think this is happening now should wake people up from their sleep! Everyone needs to read this book & then act, if not it will get worse. My only gripe is with the narration, did anyone listen before it was released? I nearly stopped listening as she kept spelling Terf, T.E.R.F rather than saying it, along with Filia etc which become beyond frustrating and gave me the feeling she has no idea what’s going on and is just reading as a job. Maybe this can be changed..

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Excellent collection of essays

Excellent exploration of the fight for women’s rights in Scotland. Especially the chapters on the political shenanigans by SNP politicians. Certainly not democratic!

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What and education

Granted I'm only halfway in but, I have learned so much and have looked at the recent history of women fighting for recognition in our own right. These women, younger than myself, are the women we should all strive to be or at the very least, have in mind when casting votes and making other important decisions.

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Thank you for your bravery and determination

I’m in awe of these women. Many of them have lost friends, work, money, and even their homes, but their sense of morality and justice has meant they won’t be “wheesht”. I am furious at what’s going on in the name of “equality” these days and I’m genuinely terrified by the future.

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A fascinating and vital read for those concerned about women’s sex based rights around the world.

This is a very interesting and detailed insight into recent Politics in Scotland and the stories of grass roots organisations and individual women fighting for the rights of girls and women and the safety of gender confused children. This is against the might of big organisations and much of the media.
Scottish women took on the fight and many lost a lot by speaking out.
This is about Scotland but those from other countries will see similarities in their own country. Their own political representatives and the ongoing abuse of those who dare to speak against the mantra.

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This is must for every woman and every individual who loves one

This book demonstrates the depth of misogyny woven into our Western societies today. The extraordinarily short time, between women winning the vote, making rape within marriage illegal, or the right to apply for a credit card without the permission of their husband, and the attempt to dissolve our sex based rights should be terrifying for every individual in our democracy. This brilliant title shows the lengths that women have had to go to, to try to be heard, only for their safety, privacy and dignity to be disregarded by those in power. I will live in debt to each of these incredible authors for the rest of my life, along with all the other amazing women, who have fought against the disintegration of our sex based protections. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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An Essential Listen

This book is fabulous! The things some of the authors have had to contend with will make your blood boil but it is ultimately uplifting.
Highly recommended.

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Brave and honest

So inspiring. This book should be read by everyone and anyone who ever wondered “what all the fuss was about”

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Well read and great summary of events.

If only all events that have challenged women's rights throughout history were so well documented. This is an excellent book, told from various viewpoints. Courageous women. I disagree with many of her views but Simone De Bevoir (apologies for the spelling) was correct about one thing: Women's rights are never secure and every generation will need to be prepared to fight for them.

Mothers - your daughters need to read or listen to this book.

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