Last Monday, March 9, the Sub Trade Union turned the Songjiang space into a pretty lively craft circle. More than 40 women from the institute—both local and international—showed up for the "Her Hands Create Light" DIY Salon to mark International Women's Day.
There were two workshops running side by side. Over at the lacquer fan table, everyone got to play around with paint on water, watching the colors swirl before pressing them onto plain fans. No two fans turned out the same, which was kind of the magic of it. Right next door, the room started smelling like wormwood as people stuffed and wrapped their own wellness hammers. It took some focus to get the cotton rope wound just right, but by the end everyone had a little tool to take home for pounding out the stress after a long day. English guides were on hand to ensure everyone could appreciate the deep cultural roots of the crafts.
At the end of the day, the activity offered a relaxing break from scientific work and fostered cultural connection among staff. The Labor Union will continue organizing meaningful activities to enhance female employees' well-being and sense of belonging.
