Women's organisations are changing fast. They are shaking off their public image as staid recipe clubs and emerging as a force to be reckoned with.

Last month, members of one North Yorkshire Women's Institute shed their clothes and their stereotype by posing naked for a charity calendar. And members are taking direct action against the Vale of York pylons. The Townswomen's Guilds are following suit.

Members have shocked the establishment by supporting the legalisation of cannabis for medical use.

The WI and Guilds have emerged from behind the flower arrangements and are making their voices heard. If the legislators have any sense they will listen.

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