Hey everyone! As usual, I am too excited about too many things to focus on just one, so I decided to share a couple of things in this post.
First off, I wanted to share with you all the link to a blog I've been reading a lot lately... it's called RabbitWrite, and addresses various issues around gender, sexuality, and relationships. I really enjoy her range of topics and ability to be blunt, honest, and insightful in each post. Take a look at rabbitwrite.com.
In other news, I just wanted to highlight an event being hosted on our campus in a few weeks to honor International Women's Day. Women's Empowerment International is a non-profit based in San Diego that uses microfinance to created increased opportunities for women in situations of poverty. Come learn how microfinance works, meet recipients, and also learn how to cook some scrumptious dishes! The event will be held on March 6 at the Great Hall in ERC from 2 to 4pm. The Women's Center will also be tabling at this event, so stop by and say hello!
Last, but not least, I am a huge fan of finding new music. Here's a song I happened upon a few weeks ago... the track is a Bassnecter remix of Lights by Ellie Goulding. I love both of these artists, so coming across this was a real treat. Listen below. Enjoy!
In this interview from 2008, Chilean novelist Isabel Allende talks about former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's extraordinary story. During Bachelet's presidency (2006-2010), she made contraception available to anyone over age 14, a decision that was strongly resisted due to the influential presence of the Catholic Church in Chile. Allende then goes on to talk about her memoir and the strength she receives from her mother. She also discusses her foundation that she started for women and girls and then talks about the torture that exists in the world.
Her strength and insight is inspiring.
-Ali L.
WC Volunteer
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The current water crisis has primarily impacted those in developing countries, especially women and children who must endure the challenge of fetching water every day for hours for domestic duties. Female children are not able to go to school and get a formal education because they must abide to the harsh tradition of domestic labor. The lack of hygiene due to poor or no resources and contaminated water inhibits economic and educational growth in many communities across all developing countries. The following links further describe how women are impacted by the lack of accessibility of the most vital resource on earth: water.
I came across this video through a friend on my Twitterfeed and was immediately captured by the inspirational reminders of how beautiful women are every day. The Jubilee Project's vision is to make entertaining videos that will empower, enable, and inspire others to do good as well.
A message to the women who make our lives complete: you are beautiful. Every time this video is watched in February, Jubilee Project sponsors will donate a penny to Becky's Fund, a non-profit organization that creates awareness around domestic violence. Learn more at www.beckysfund.org
You can help Becky's Fund simply by watching this video and sending it to your friends and loved ones! Or you can become a sponsor and donate a penny per view (remember you can cap your donation) by emailing projectjubilee@gmail.com
-Julie Trinh
Social Justice Peer Educator
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Last week at our staff meeting, we created as a team a clay representation of the Women's Center. Among other things were a microphone, lactation, motherhood, intersectionality, and peace. Can you find them?
WASHINGTON -- Women's reproductive rights are being seriously threatened by the Republican Party, according to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who said she is worried that many women are complacent about the possibility that they will lose access to abortions. "They're advancing extreme legislation," Pelosi said Thursday during a conference call with reporters. "It's dangerous to women's health, disrespects the judgment of American women -- I don't know if they even gave that a thought -- and it's the most comprehensive and radical assault on women's health in our lifetime. It's that bad."
There are three pieces of legislation that Republicans are currently trying to advance to limit abortion access.
Read the rest of the article here. It details the three pieces of legislation as well as Pelosi's (rightful) concerns on the consequences of legislation that would, as one of them does, deny federal funds to groups such as Planned Parenthood that provide abortion access.
Should any of the three pieces of legislation pass, it would be a huge step back in terms of women's reproductive rights, as well as a large obstacle for many women who need financial assistance.
The article above provides more information on the legislation, as well as links to related websites.
We interns have been taking a class together with the interns from the Cross-Cultural Center and the LGBT Resource Center. The Women's Center interns were given the assignment to collaboratively come up with definitions for patriarchy and sexism. Our definitions were not centered around our work here, but simply how we see the world. Here's what we came up with.
Patriarchy: systems that function to benefit and constantly re-create the invisible and visible power encapsulated in masculinity and the male gender
Sexism: belief/attitude (ideology) coming across genders that utilize the oppression/subordination of one sex as being more valuable than the other is
What do you think? What would you change, add or remove? Let us know in the comments.
