all about women of colour Mentorship program with Sweatshop
For All About Women 2023, the Sydney Opera House partnered with Western Sydney-based literacy movement Sweatshop on an emerging writers mentorship program for women and non-binary First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse writers.
Four writers worked on short fiction pieces, under the guidance of Sweatshop judges and mentors Winnie Dunn and Sarah Ayoub.
The #MeToo movement was started in 2006 by African-American activist Tarana Burke to address sexual abuse and harassment that affected poor Black women and girls. When wealthy White Hollywood actresses hijacked the hashtag, a social movement built for the marginalised then only served the elite. What about those that got left behind? First Nations women. Black women. Women of colour. First Nations men and men of colour. In response, the All About Women of Colour mentorship hosted a new group of emerging writers as they work on a short fictional piece centered on the people left behind by the #MeToo movement and ‘where to from here?’
Spare Lingerie
Margretta was the Winner of the 2023 Women of Colour Mentorship program. Spare Lingerie is a story about the ladies of Three Loves Us, an old terrace-house parlour in the backstreets of Sydney’s CBD. Please note the following content contains material that may be inappropriate or offensive to some readers.
Behind and Underneath
Uppma Virdi was the Winner of the 2023 Women of Colour Mentorship program. Behind and underneath is a poetic story about inequality and conforming to society's norms and demands. Please note the following content contains material that may be inappropriate or offensive to some readers.
Forever Virgin
Helen Nguyen was Highly Commended in the 2023 Women of Colour Mentorship program. Forever Virgin features a young woman discovering her sexuality and her boundaries. Please note the following content contains material that may be inappropriate or offensive to some readers.
Handstitched Katha
Tamara Haque was Highly Commended in the 2023 Women of Colour Mentorship program. Handstitched Katha is a story about a young woman, her family dynamics and an abuse of power. Please note the following content contains material that may be inappropriate or offensive to some readers.