100 voices for 100 years

For Black History month, 100 Voices brings you one of our newest contributors, Natalie Twum-Barima who shares her poem Windrush. In it, Natalie voices the people behind the journey - from Africa, via the Middle Passage and to Britain in a moving piece about family, heritage and remembrance.

Women's Prize longlistee Yvonne Battle-Felton shares a sneak peak of her piece for the 100 voices book, now funding on Unbound.

"I knew I had to do it. Even if it felt like I had nothing to contribute, I would have to think of something. "

Writer and editor of the 100 Voices for 100 Years project, Miranda Roszkowski realises how hard it is to talk about achievements, and pays tribute to the 99 contributors who have gone before her.

"Life continues to throw challenges and obstacles at me. But I know I can deal with them."

For Louise Houghton her path was very clear from the age of four - she was destined to be in front of the camera. Her ambition, drive and a bit of luck have got her a long way. In this uplifting piece about being true to yourself Louise tells her story and inspires us along the way.

"If you just teach one person something positive, then it's worth it."

When costume coordinators Amy Trend, Hannah Monkley and Amy Towle dressed as Suffragettes for the Women's March in 2017 they didn't expect the fantastic response they got, or how it would lead to a whole new mindset. In an exclusive for 100 Voices for 100 Years the team behind the popular podcast Same Shit Different Century talk about the birth of the podcast, how they are inspired by the generations of women who have gone before them and how some problems are really still the same.

"A desert country seemed the place that best reflected our emotions."

After losing their daughter, writer Sandra Arnold and her husband took to travelling to process their grief and found themselves Oman. For 100 Voices for 100 years Sandra shares her story The Stone, inspired by one of the moments from their time in the desert. A beautiful piece about the moment when hope returns.

"I felt worthless, stupid and incapable. I can’t apply those words to myself anymore. "

Elisabeth Alain shares her story Bruise, and explains how she has let the wounds of a past relationship heal through her writing.

"Mr Smith begrudgingly wrote ‘Good Effort’ at the bottom of the paper. I thought nothing of it."

Miriam Elin Jones didn't have a habit of speaking up, until a particularly bitter injustice in sociology class changed her whole attitude. A funny and charming piece for 100 voices for 100 years about learning how to speak up and how we all need a little bit of Nora Davies every now and then.

"You’re never too old to become a fighter."

Jane Riekemann is... a writer, a co-founder of a short story prize and a teacher. She didn't ever think she would add campaigner to that list but two years ago she became one. In a warm piece she talks about how her activism has brought her into many interesting situations (and a few unpleasant ones) but whatever happens, there is no going back.

A wonderful piece that reminds us to keep fighting for what we believe.

“I was going to try. One last time.”

Emily Garside could never shake the idea that September meant new starts. So in September 2017 she took a huge leap into the unknown.

For 100 voices for 100 years, she shares the story of what happens after you give everything up. An inspiring piece about ups, downs and taking chances.