Involuntary childlessness is a personal, social and cultural experience and the way it unfolds in our lives can feel devaluing. We might not feel supported in both our heartbreak and thriving; we might not feel welcome, safe or connected in relational spaces; and we can be disenfranchised or stigmatised in cultural, economic and political spheres.
Unworthiness and shame can develop when our experiences are not met well and can be exacerbated by previous wounding. The antidotes to these can include empathy and compassion, a critical perspective and an empowered voice.
This webinar is an intimate conversation with Professor Gayle Letherby about her lived experience and decades as a pioneering voice, groundbreaking researcher, creative writer and public intellectual for the childless-not-by-choice experience.
It is an opportunity for you to engage with Gayle about her work in empowering childless voices, engaging creatively to deconstruct the experience and impact of involuntary childlessness, and foster change.
Together, we’ll reflect on constructing worthiness.
Please bring any questions you’d like explored.
DATE: Saturday 21st September
TIME: 9am BST - Find your timezone HERE
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR HERE
Please note: Whilst the panellists will be recorded, your camera and audio will be turned off. If you are unable to attend the webinar live, you DO NOT need to register to watch the replay. Just subscribe to the World Childless Week YouTube channel and you’ll be notified when new recordings are added.
PANELLISTS
Sarah Roberts - Australia
I am a counsellor, lived experience advocate and founder of the Empty Cradle, a counselling and support service for women transitioning to permanent involuntary childlessness. I’m honoured to be a World Childless Week Ambassador and licensed Gateway Reignite Facilitator in the Asia/Pacific Region.
My background is over 30 years in counselling, community education and professional training, with an academic interest in the grief and transition to permanent involuntary childlessness, and the flourishing of older childless women.
For over a decade, I have been a public advocacy voice for women’s involuntary childless experiences, both following infertility and by circumstances. This has included media work, presentations at fertility conferences, training for the fertility sector on the psychological impact of long-term treatment, ending unsuccessful treatment and the transition to permanent involuntary childlessness. Recently I presented at an Australian Senate Inquiry Hearing about the childless menopause and the social policy needs of involuntary childless Australians.
Gayle Letherby - UK
I am Visiting Professor at the Universities of Plymouth, Greenwich and Bath (specifically here within the Centre for Death and Society (CDAS).
Alongside substantive interests in the meanings and experiences of love, reproductive and non/parental (especially non/mother) identities; gender, health and wellbeing; death, loss and bereavement; travel and transport mobility; gender and identity within institutions; and solitude I have always been fascinated by research methodology, including auto/biographical, feminist and creative practices. In recent years I have become interested in writing sociologically for non-academic audiences and creative writing within academic work. I have researched and written academically about the identity and experience of those who mother (and father) and those who do not for 35 years and much of my creative writing also engages with this issue.
REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR HERE
