Women of BJ: The Groups, Organizations, & Clubs You Need to Know
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In celebration of International Women's Day, we've rounded up a list of some of our favorite women-focussed groups, clubs, and organizations around the city.
Ranging from professional networking and career-oriented groups, mom's clubs, groups for lesbian and queer women, groups oriented around sport, performance, and the arts, as well as groups for different nationalities, they are wide-ranging and exciting, and aimed at bringing together like-minded women in pursuit of common goals.
This alphabetical list is far from comprehensive, so scroll through and if you don't see your group listed, drop us a line!
Africa-China Women's Group
The Africa-China Women's Group was founded to enable networking, sharing career opportunities, events and general discussion around Africa-China relations. Group members are mostly in China, but increasingly based in African countries also. The group organizes dinners every 4-6 months.
How to join: Add group admin Hannah Ryder on WeChat ID: hmryder
Beijing Aardvarks
The Beijing Aardvarks rugby club has a dedicated women's league, which welcomes women of all ages, shapes, sizes and sporting ability. The team frequently plays other clubs around mainland China, and organizes plenty of social events and catch ups.
How to join: Add group admin Alicia McSweeney on WeChat (ID: mcsweeney12) for more information.
Beijing Broads
Beijing Broads is China's first all-female Improv and Comedy troupe, and are all about inclusivity, female-driven comedy and providing women with a platform to get involved in the city's comedy scene, while also pushing back against stereotypes of women in comedy. As well as performances, they frequently host comedy improv workshops.
How to join: Follow the US-China Comedy Center on WeChat (ID usccc_staff), and look out for the Broads' events.
Beijing Feminists Forever
Beijing Feminists Forever is a discussion group focussing on feminist topics such as the representation of women in the media, maternal and reproductive health, domestic abuse, women’s charities, feminist events and news from around the world. It is also a great resource for bouncing ideas related to feminism, feminist events, and anyone seeking help on related topics.
How to join: Add group admin Emily Feng (fengtabulous) and request to join.
Beijing Roller Derby
Modern Flat Track Roller Derby is one of the fastest-growing women's sports in the world, and it is right here in Beijing. The full-contact roller sport, which is played mostly (but not exclusively) by women, is deeply rooted in punk, feminist and queer culture, while also being very open and inclusive.
How to join: Email beijingrd@yahoo.com for more information.
Beijing Women's Network
The Beijing Women's Network is a platform that serves to provide women from diverse professional backgrounds opportunities to connect and share insights in professional settings on topics such as peer mentorship, growth, development, and skills training in the Chinese business market. They frequently organize events, dinners, seminars, and training events.
How to join: Follow the official account (ID: BeijingWomen), and/or add group admin Samantha on WeChat (ID: samanthakwok) and request to join.
Clothes Auction Network
Sick of wearing the same old clothes and love the idea of supporting charity and refreshing your wardrobe at the same time? This group organizes regular clothes auctions of second-hand clothing for women, whereby all money is donated to charity. Each event is limited to 20-odd women, and spots fill up fast. There are separate City, Shunyi, and Yizhuang groups, let Rebecca know which one you'd like to join.
How to join: Add admin Rebecca Archer on Wechat (ID: Becstarnz) and request to join.
Female Expats in Beijing
Female Expats in Beijing is, well, for female expats in Beijing! Described as being an open, non-judgmental, and honest community, it contains over 400 members and is a space for women to exchange about their difficulties and successes, and to share tips and advice. They also often get together in person.
How to join: Search for the group on Facebook, and answer the screening questions, to prove you’re genuinely a female expat in Beijing. When you’ve been admitted to the Facebook group, there’s a QR code for the WeChat group.
Girl Talk – Dating and Culture
Girl Talk is a safe space for women from various cultural backgrounds and relationship statuses to freely discuss issues or share insights related to dating, marriage, relationships, and singlehood, especially in the multicultural context of China. They also organize meetups and drinks.
How to join: Add group admin Heather on WeChat (ID: heatherlee) and request to join.
Les Booze
Les Booze is a twice-monthly event for queer women, which is based around socializing, dating, networking, partying and generally having a good time. Les Booze occurs the first Friday of every month at Chill Cafe Bar, and the third Saturday of every month at Red Dog.
How to join: Just show up!
Mothers' Guild Group
The Mothers' Guild Group is composed of Beijing mothers, mostly based in Shunyi, and regularly meets up to have a drink, watch a favorite TV show, or just chat. Read more about the group here: beijing-kids.com/blog/2018/10/31/wechat-group-week-beijing-mothers-guild/.
How to join: Add group admin Pauline Van Hasselt on WeChat (ID: paulus155) and request to join.
Pretty Girls, Pretty Bikes
This women-only cycling group organizes rides in and around Beijing once per month, frequently bookended with a brunch or drinks at the end. The group aims to create a female-friendly space in a mostly male-dominated sport and encourage more female cyclists to join up.
How to join: Add group admin Andrea on WeChat (ID: AndreaCaballe) and request to join.
Q Space
Q Space is a queer, feminist, and maker space in Beijing. It is devoted to creating and enabling diverse communities through workshops and creative events.
How to join: Follow the official account (ID: Qspacebj)
Viva – Beijing Professional Women's Network
Not to be confused with the similar Beijing Women's Network, Viva is aimed at providing professional development and support for women in Beijing. The group hosts the very popular Mentor Walks around Beijing.
How to join: Follow the official account (ID: viva_beijing)
Well Women
Live well. Love well. Be well. Well Women is a channel and community that is based around the belief that each of us can make small choices every day towards a better life, self, and planet. The channel shares content, events, and resources to further these aims.
How to join: Follow the official account Wechat (ID: WellWomen)
Women in Media China
Women in Media as a space to connect, collaborate and celebrate talented women engaged in an array of media disciplines, such as film, art, design, music, digital/tech and more. Members share their creative work and creative industry challenges, as well as relevant media content, events, and opportunities for all to enjoy.
How to join: Add group admin Miatta Momoh on Wechat (ID: MomohBridge) and request to join.
This is just the beginning! What other groups should we add? Reply in the comments or send an email to annahartley@thebeijinger.com.
Images: Unsplash, Beijing Aardvarks, Uni You, Beijing Roller Derby, Beijing Women's Network, Female Expats in Beijing, Q Space, Viva Beijing Professional Women's Network, Giphy
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