So after two long weeks of frustration, confusion and sleepless night, Jane and I are unable to do anything about the fact that another site and twitter name has been set up as The Women’s Room.
We asked politely by email, a couple of times, if the new organisation would change its name (it had already done so once in its short life – it started off as Women Unite) but to no avail. As we’ve said many times, we think the idea of a list of women experts is a great idea, it’s just a shame they couldn’t have chosen a name that wasn’t going to confuse our two sites.
The Women’s Room, as many of you will know, is a community of women that lives on www.thewomensroomblog.com, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. The web is where we hang out and it’s why, after four years of daily posting we are number one on any Google search for The Women’s Room, something we are massively proud of. YOU all put us there, so pat yourselves on the back, we are incredibly grateful and (we’ve said this many times before) we are lucky to have such amazing readers.
We’ve had sound advice from lawyers this week (all supplied by readers, thanks for that) and your blog post comments offering support were incredibly uplifting during a really low point in proceedings. Our inboxes have been full up with helpful (and outraged!) emails and we’ve had an abundance of serious, experienced advice from wise women in industry who’ve either been in similar positions themselves or who handle situations like this through their jobs.
Their advice, once we’d ruled out the expensive legal route and got over the absolute fury we all felt, was pretty much unanimous.
Don’t waste any more negative energy on it. Rise above it, continue to do what you do better than ever.
So that’s what we’ll do.
As older, wiser women with a century of experience between us we know that life is short and precious. So we remain ‘polite but firm’ that we feel wronged, but we’re moving on.
And on a more positive note, we have a few accidental new readers – so welcome! We notice that there’s no listing of fashion experts on the other Women’s Room so perhaps we can even help introduce you to some of the extremely talented and successful women working in fashion today. If you need an expert we can probably find you one as Jane and I have been working in the British fashion industry for 60 years between us, so do email us for help should you need it.
And yes, you can be a feminist and love fashion, let’s move on from that outdated notion…………..more of that to come.
Also, via twitter confusion we are being widely promoted amongst all sorts of interesting communities (‘hello!’ to the Irish feminist organisation that’s tweeting about us) and one of our favourite female writers, Eva Wiseman now knows we exist, which is great!
Over the next few weeks of of daily postings we will be writing about the fabulous British artists Elizabeth Price (fingers crossed she wins the Turner Prize), Kate MccGwire, who has a new exhibition soon and stylist Grace Coddington – an artist in our eyes and who we’re meeting next week. We’ll also be telling you who the best British artisan designers and makers to buy your Christmas presents from if you want to avoid big commercial brands, how to knit your own Christmas front door wreath and explain why taking up a craft can calm you down.
There will be book reviews on new novels from India Knight and Maggie O’Farrell (thanks ladies for sending us your early copies) and a few rants on the stresses of being a Middleagemum.com on the run up to Christmas.
We will be asking some of our friends and amazing women we have met through The Women’s Room, what they hope for in the new year.
We will also continue to pick out beautiful and useful clothes for our community of 40 plus women and highlight retailers who are doing a good job.
Honestly, why would you want to be anywhere else?
Lots of love Amanda and Jane – The Women’s Room
Wise, wise words. Helen x
Well done Amanda and Jane!! Hold your heads high and carry on!! Best policy in my opinion and puts The Other One to shame!! I will be looking forward to all the wonderful things you have planned for your readers and would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all the hard work you put into THE Women’s Room and long may it last!!
well done!! i love your blog and even though I don’t always comment, I do read it every day and love it and I’m so glad you are carrying on!
So pleased to hear about all you have planned for TWR, you are top right hand corner of my iGoogle page and the first place I look every morning with a cup of tea. You feel like old friend, one who has known me since Foundation and collects all of the things you’ll know I’ll be interested in….. So thanks, and keep up the good work! Upwards and onwards as they say!
Every cloud has a silver lining and it’s to your credit that you have found one in this situation. I echo Louise, your blog feels the same to me (and was the first to win permenant space on my igoogle page). Keep up the good work. xx
I’m so glad you’re feeling able to continue with all the great things you write about. You’re hands down my favourite place on the internet and I’ll continue to keep reading every day.Xsue
Well done on your attitude throughout and on your decision to accept what seems like an intractable situation with grace. As for t’other lot, let me come right off the fence and say that, based on their handling of the controversy and what’s emerged about their views and modus operandi, I won’t be following them or submitting my name to their panel of ‘experts’ any time in the future.
Your plans for the next few weeks sound really varied and exciting and I look forward to my daily read – having followed (the real) TWR regularly for a couple of years now, my day wouldn’t be complete without you!
You are number one on my daily list and have been for a long while now. Thanks for your daily uplifting and inspiring posts.
Thanks for the support team, we are as always, immensely grateful. We may be battered and bruised but we are made of tough stuff, and what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? A
It certainly does Amanda! Though I am bitterly disappointed for you both that ” the other one” could not have found another name not in use. I’m sure your talented and devoted followers would have found a name for them if they don’t have the imagination to do it themselves….
Your future blog posts sound beguiling and I for one (and it sounds like from the comments above I am amongst many) am looking forward to reading each and every one of them.
The Internet is still cowboy country…
That is the quote of the month Monix, ‘The internet is still cowboy Country’ ….love it and how true! Ax
Awww- blush!
Always read you but you never comment. Felt I just wanted to let you know that I am flabbergasted by the attitude of the ‘other one’. How short sighted of them. Frankly I am amazed by their response (or lack of one). So glad you are continuing as usual.
Good news, onwards and upwards XXX
Dear Amanda and Jane. I never, ever comment in blog posts (single Mum of 4, demanding job, blah blah), but I felt so moved to write in support of your blog, which I follow every day and absolutely love. I’m full of admiration for your attitude; you are the sassiest Cowgirls in Cowboy country! Please keep up the good work and thanks for the preview of upcoming postings, which sound great. I’m using every opportunity to tell all my friends about you. Best wishes, Vee
What a shame The Others coudn’t have risen above the situation and done the right and proper thing and changed their name. Well, it says a lot about them, and I echo Rosemary’s sentiments and won’t be reading their blog any time. Did you ever get an email reply from them?
Yes we did Jude. Their arguement centred around the fact there are lots of sites related to the WOmens Room on the interenet. Which is true, but as we pointed out, no others actaully called the Womens Room.
Go figure
Jx
Vee, you have made my day! The Sassiest Cowgirls In Cowboy Country….I will be tweeting that later……Ax
I fear The Others did not get the memo about the sisterhood aspect of feminism. Their interactions with you seem to undermine their entire message. Heigh-ho, The (Original) Women’s Room remains pure class.
Also, feminism certainly does not preclude fashion, as your readership attests – those comments from The Others’ follower were so infuriating!
xG
Bravo Jane and Amanda for handling such a difficult and upsetting situation with such intelligence and grace. I’m a feminist, the daughter of a feminist and the granddaughter of a feminist. I also like fashion, cooking, interiors, art, style… How dull it would be to be one-dimensional. Aren’t we past that? I guess, for some, we are not. DX
Excellent attitude, and as you say, you’ll get new readers. I’m all for good sense, making the most of awkward situations … and your website!