The Spirit of Liverpool: Reclaiming Women's Histories on Film (11 - 19 May), an exploration into Liverpool's past, present and future through the stories of women.

Monday 13th of May 7 PM - 9.30 PM

Liverpool Women United: film archive + introduction

Kitty's Launderette 77 Grasmere St, L5 8EQ

Booking required. Donations welcome

Kitty's is a new community laundrette and social space in the Anfield/ Everton area. It opens its doors for the first time for this night of archive films, words, images, and friendship, with their researcher Kerrie McGiveron, delving into the history of local wash houses. The launderette is named after Kitty Wilkinson, an Irish immigrant to Liverpool, who was instrumental in establishing the first public washhouse in the Uk in 1842, following many years of opening up her home to their community to wash and dry their clothes during the cholera epidemic.

Archive films:

* Public Wash House Liverpool (BFI, 1959) Running Time 5 mis

This film looks at the modern wash-house and introduces the story of kitty Wilkinson: The Saint of The Slums who pioneered the public wash-house movement in Liverpool during the 1832 cholera epidemic.

* You’ll Never Work Alone (Women's Independent Cinema House (WITCH 1984), Running time 24 mins

An introduction to workers co-ops, combining documentary, drama, and animation. Covers a wide range of co-ops ranging from a whole food shop to dockers and tailors. Asks such questions as: “can you work without a boss?” How do you set up a co-op?”. Made collectively by a group of women from different co-ops on Merseyside.

* Funny Girls ( North West Film Archive) Director Isabel Brotherston 1995, Running time 24 mns 45 scs

This documentary features three of the northwest's female comedians - Janet George, Crissy Rock and Sue Chlopicki. The comedians are interviewed as they are seen on stage and at home. The documentary also features interviews with their partners and family, as well as Jim Bowden and Caroline Hook