Archive for Events

SlutWalk NYC & Inclusive Feminist Community Building

SLUTWALK NYC – October 1st, Saturday – Noon – Union Square

SlutWalk is part of a world-wide grassroots movement challenging rape culture, rampant sexual violence, victim-blaming and slut-shaming in our culture. SlutWalk has served as a tool for global feminist community building, an area of phenomenal progress in recent years. Unfortunately, the controversies surrounding the term “slut” are distracting from the point of working together to fight sexual violence, which is a shame and also indicative of the complexities, nuances, and challenges involved in inclusive feminist organizing as a whole. Attempting to reclaim the word “slut” as an empowering term and even a personal choice, is not translating into an inclusive feminist message with respect to race, class, identity and more. This is further articulated in the open letter from the leadership of Black Women’s Blueprint.

Paradigm Shift NYC has decided to stand in solidarity with Black Women’s Blueprint and all endorsing organizations by not having a banner presence at SlutWalk. That being said, we want to emphasize our support in the dismantling of rape culture by empowering all feminists to organize effectively within the movement.

Paradigm Shift supports the participation of all communities to create a safe space for all during SlutWalk. Our collective power lies in our willingness and ability to send an inclusive message with respect to race, class, gender, ability, sexual orientation, sexuality, age and beyond.  Inclusive messaging is a decision making process that must include those who are marginalized.  Take it upon yourself to use SlutWalk to express what empowers you – with or without claiming “slut”. It’s inspiring an explosion of dialog and action with regard to sexual violence, self expression, identity, power, privilege, sexuality, gender, race, class, and more- progress!

Sexual violence is a very personal and emotional issue, and we will invite and support this evolving dialog.

We want to hear from you- please post comments.  If you prefer to email: meredith@paradigmshiftnyc.com

In Solidarity,

Meredith Villano
Co-Founder & Director, Paradigm Shift NYC

“Planned Parenthood, I’m Here For You!” Comedy Tour with Lizz Winstead, Lisa Lampanelli, and more!

[Via Planned Parenthood]

LIZZ WINSTEAD, SANDRA BERNHARD, LISA LAMPANELLI, JOAN WALSH AND AMBROSIA PARSLEY PERFORM ONE NIGHT ONLY IN A BENEFIT FOR PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF NEW YORK CITY

The Daily Show Co-Creator and Air America Co-Founder

Hits NYC on Sept 22nd with her “Planned Parenthood, I’m Here For You!” Comedy Tour

New York, NY — Co-creator of The Daily Show and co-founder of Air America Radio, political satirist Lizz Winstead brings her razor-sharp wit and hilarious spin on current events to The Gramercy Theatre on September 22nd at 7:30PM. The event is part of her “Planned Parenthood, I’m Here for You!” summer tour; all proceeds will go to support the work of Planned Parenthood of New York City.

Joining Ms Winstead will be by comedy legend & author, singer/songwriter, actor Sandra Bernhard, stand-up comic and Lovable Queen of Mean, Lisa Lampanelli, Joan Walsh, editor-in-chief of Salon.com, and alternative pop/rock singer-songwriter Ambrosia Parsley, creator of “Ambrosia Sings The News” on Air America.

Winstead was inspired to develop the tour by her long-standing support of Planned Parenthood’s work.

“Women’s health has become the number one focus of the radical right – even worse, it has been reduced to a bargaining chip,” said Winstead. “I say enough is enough, and so should anyone who has relied on Planned Parenthood for basic health care, or knows someone who has. Planned Parenthood has been there for me in every facet of my reproductive health, and now I want to be there for them.”

Winstead comes to NYC as part of twelve city – ten state tour benefiting local Planned Parenthood affiliates across the country.

Tickets for the Gramercy Theatre/NYC event will cost $50, $75 and $150, and are available for purchase through http://bit.ly/LizzWinsteadNYC.

“We are thrilled to see Lizz’s energy and sense of fun going to support our work, and we’re looking forward to a much-needed dose of humor and sanity on Sept. 22nd” said PPNYC President and CEO, Joan Malin

Winstead added, “If creating jobs is the number one priority for politicians in this country, why are they so focused on my uterus? My uterus doesn’t create jobs, in fact it no longer even does the one job it’s supposed to!”

Event Details:

Who: Lizz Winstead, co-creator of The Daily Show and co-founder of Air America Radio
Sandra Bernhard, comedy legend, author, singer/songwriter and actor
Lisa Lampanelli, stand-up comic and Lovable Queen of Mean
Joan Walsh, editor-in-chief of Salon.com
Ambrosia Parsley, alternative pop/rock singer-songwriter and creator of “Ambrosia Sings The News” on Air America.

What: One-night-only New York City performance of Lizz Winstead’s “Planned Parenthood, I’m Here for You!” summer tour
All proceeds benefit Planned Parenthood of New York City.

Where: Gramercy Theater
127 East 23rd Street, between Park Avenue and Lexington
New York, NY 10010
(212) 777-6800

When: Thursday, September 22, 2011
6pm: VIP Reception (includes meet & greet with Lizz & friends!)
7pm: General Admission

Tickets: VIP Tickets: $150 (includes meet & greet with Lizz & friends!)
Orchestra: $75
General Admission: $50

Tickets are available for purchase at http://bit.ly/LizzWinsteadNYC

For more information about the tour, or to follow Winstead’s adventures on the road, visit her blog at http://tour4pp.wordpress.com.

###

Since 1916, Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC) has been an advocate for and provider of reproductive health services and education for New Yorkers. Serving nearly 50,000 clients annually, PPNYC’s health care centers in Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx and Staten Island offer reproductive health services, including gynecological care, contraception, pregnancy testing, abortion, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and HIV testing and counseling. Through a threefold mission of clinical services, education, and advocacy, PPNYC brings better health and more fulfilling lives to each new generation of New Yorkers. As a voice for reproductive freedom, PPNYC supports legislation and policies to ensure that all New Yorkers—and, in fact, people around the world—will have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and information.
http://www.ppnyc.org http://www.twitter.com/ppnycaction http://www.facebook.com/ppnyc

Dialogues with the Director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership

Join The Institute for Women’s Leadership for their inaugural program, Dialogues with the IWL Director on Monday, September 19th, 2011 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. This event will be taking place at the ruth Dill Johnson Crockett Building (162 Ryders Lane, New Brunwsick, NJ).

As an attendee, you will listen as filmmaker Abigail Disney and peace activist Cora Weiss converse about topics relating to leadership, global politics, and gender; Alison R. Bernstein, the Director of the Institute for Women’s Leadership, will be moderating this discussion. If you’re able to get out of the city for a few hours, you should definitely check out this fantastic event. Both Abigail and Cora have incredible experiences and perspectives to share, as they are both involved with global activism and will offer a wonderfully unique paradigm for discussing this issues.

Email gareilly@rci.rutgers.edu by September 12th in order to secure your spot!

Abigail Disney, is a filmmaker and philanthropist. Her longtime passion for women’s issues and peace building culminated in her first film, the acclaimed Pray the Devil Back to Hell, about the Liberian women who peacefully ended their country’s fourteen-year civil war. She is Executive Producer of the groundbreaking PBS mini-series, Women, War, & Peace, the most comprehensive global media initiative ever mounted on the role of women in peace and conflict. The series airs on PBS in October, 2011. Disney is Co-founder and President of the Daphne Foundation, which works with low-income communities in the five boroughs of New York City. Her work in
philanthropy, women’s engagement and leadership, and conflict resolution has been recognized by numerous awards including the prestigious International Advocate for Peace Award from the Cardozo Law School’s Journal of Conflict Resolution. She holds degrees from Yale, Stanford, and Columbia

Cora Weiss, President, The Hague Appeal for Peace, has been a peace activist since the early 60’s when she was a national leader of Women Strike for Peace which played a major role in bringing about the end of atmospheric nuclear testing. Cora was among the civil society drafters of what became Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace, and security which was adopted in 2000 and has been part of the campaign for its full implementation. She has devoted her life to the movements for civil rights, human rights, women’s empowerment, and peace. Ms. Weiss is a founder of the Global Campaign for Peace Education. Member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and member of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Ms. Weiss was also President of the International Peace Bureau (Nobel Peace laureate 1910); Co-Founder and Director of The Riverside Church Disarmament Program; Non- governmental Representative to the World Conferences on Women, Nairobi (1985) and Beijing (1995); and Executive Director of the AfricanAmerican Students Foundation (Airlift).

Sex, Power and Speaking Truth: Anita Hill 20 Years Later

SAT. OCT. 15, 2011 – 10am-9pm Hunter College, NYC

This incredible day will bring together three generations to witness, respond to and analyze present day realities in law, politics, the confluence of race, class, gender, women’s continuing “credibility problem, black masculinity, sexual harassment and the impact and legacy of Anita Hill’s courageous testimony about workplace sexual harassment.

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Anita Hill, Brandeis University

EVENING GALA: “SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER” curated and directed EVE ENSLER

CONFERENCE PARTNERS: Hunter College, VDay

CONFERENCE PROGRAM
(Schedule is still in formation; updates will be available by September 2011. All panelists listed below are confirmed.)

Session I: WITNESSES: “WHAT HAPPENED?”
Panelists:
Maureen Dowd, The New York Times
Lani Guinier, Harvard Law School.
Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School
Congresswoman Louise Slaughter, NY-28
Vita Rabinowitz, Hunter College
Jamia Wilson, Women’s Media Center

Moderator: Judith Resnik, Yale Law School

Session II: RESPONDERS: WHAT DOES ANITA HILL MEAN TO YOU?

Panelists:
Rha Goddess, Move the Crowd
Melissa Harris-Perry, Tulane University
Emily May, Hollaback!
Ai-jen Poo, National Domestic Workers Alliance
Joanne N. Smith, Girls for Gender Equity

Moderator: Maria Hinojosa, NPR/PBS

Session III: ANALYSIS: “WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED IN 20 YEARS AND WHAT COMES NEXT?”
Panelists:
Devon Carbado, UCLA School of Law
Kimberlé Crenshaw, UCLA School of Law
Gloria Steinem, Ms. Magazine
Virginia Valian, Hunter College
Patricia J. Williams, Columbia University
Julie Zeilinger, FBomb

Moderator: Kathleen Peratis, Outten & Golden LLP

Evening Gala: HONORING ANITA HILL: “WHY WE NEED TO SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER.”
A one-night only performance curated and directed by world renowned activist, playwright, Eve Ensler.

Featuring writing and performances by:
Edwidge Danticat
Asali Njeri DeVan
Eve Ensler
Lisa Kron
Lynn Nottage
Mary Oliver
Letty Cottin Pogrebin

CO-SPONSORED BY:

ACLU Women’s Rights Project
American Association of University Women
Barnard Center for Research on Women
Black Women’s Blueprint
Brandeis University Women and Gender Studies Program
Brooklyn College Shirley Chisholm Project of Brooklyn Women’s Activism
Brooklyn College Women’s Center
Brooklyn College Women’s Studies Program
CUNY Graduate Center: Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies
CUNY Graduate Center: The Center for the Study of Women & Society
CUNY Graduate Center: Political Science Program
CUNY Law School
Equal Rights Advocates
The Feminist Press at CUNY
Girls for Gender Equity
Hollaback!
The Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership at Drexel University College of Medicine
Jack & Jill Politics
Jews for Racial & Economic Justice
Macaulay Honors College
Ms. Foundation for Women
The Nation
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council for Research on Women
National Women’s Law Center
Outten & Golden LLP
Pace Law School
Purchase College/SUNY
Queens College Graduate Center and Women’s Studies Department
RightRides for Women’s Safety
Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College
Stop Street Harassment
University at Albany History Department
University at Albany Department of Sociology
University at Albany Women’s Studies Department
University at Albany Division of Student Success
University of Connecticut Department of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
Stop Street Harassment
Third Wave Foundation
The White House Project
Women’s City Club
Women’s eNews
Women’s Media Center

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
anitahill20@hunter.cuny.edu

She Asked For It: How Rape Myths Hurt Us All – A Discussion on Rape Culture, Sexual Assault, and Activism (location updated)

It’s estimated that one in four women will be raped during their lifetime, yet the way it is treated and understood in society does not match up with reality.  Just recently:

Two cops are acquitted of rape.  The DSK case falls apart.  A man buys a 14-year old girl for sex and gets community service.

These types of events lead to a lot of questions about sexual assault and attitudes towards sexuality in our society.  Some of these include:

How do stereotypes about rape impact a survivor’s ability to get justice?  How do they impact our understanding of sexual assault and what can be done about it?

If you’re interested in joining this important conversation, you should attend “She Asked for It: How Rape Myths Hurt Us All” at 6:30 pm on September 14th.  Special guests include:

  • Helen Benedictnovelist and journalist, she has covered the issue of rape around the world. Sheauthored Sand Queen, a novel of the Iraq War, The Lonely Soldier, about women in the military, andVirgin or Vamp: How the Press Covers Sex Crimes, an analysis of the way sex, race and class bias affect rape coverage;
  • Karen Carroll, Associate Director of the Bronx Sexual Assault Response Team, is a forensic specialist and survivor who trains police departments, DA’s offices and social service professionals, and testified in the NYPD rape trial of Moreno and Mata;
  • Jane ManningPresident of NOW-NYC, is a long-time New York City activist who has worked extensively to improve the criminal justice system’s response to sex crimes. She is a former sex crimes prosecutor;
  • Nancy Schwartzman, filmmaker, activist and survivor, and creator of The Line Campaign—a non-profit organization and movement empowering young leaders to create a world without sexual violence;
  • John Stoltenberg is the creator of Men Can Stop Rape’s “My Duty” campaign, a sexual-assault-prevention media campaign, which was licensed to the U.S. Department of Defense and distributed on military bases around the world. John is also the DC Rape Crisis Center communications consultant.

Location: Pace University – Lecture Hall South, Room 130, One Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038 (corner of Frankfort & Park Row)
Subways: N, R to City Hall | 4, 5, 6, 6X to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall | J, Z, A, C, 2, 3 to Fulton S


Beyond Hooking Up: Creating Sexual Empowerment – Interactive Webinar for Berkeley College

Paradigm Shift NYC proudly presents our third webinar commissioned by Berkeley College.  Available to BC students and staff only- login.

Amy Jo Goddard is a sexuality educator, writer, filmmaker, performing artist and activist. She travels to colleges, universities, communities and conferences teaching workshops and speaking about sexuality and maintains a private sex & relationship coaching practice. She currently facilitates her Women’s Sexuality Empowerment Apprenticeship in New York City to assist women in growing their sexual lives. She is co-author of Lesbian Sex Secrets for Men and is a contributing author of All About Sex: A Family Resource Guide on Sex and Sexuality. Her article about queer performance artists and activism was published in 2007 in the Social Justice Journal and she has been published in numerous other publications including LOFT and Bust Magazine. Amy Jo was host of CherryBomb.com’s web stream program “Fresh Advice,” developing, researching, writing and performing over 60 episodes on women’s sexuality. A professional trainer of sexuality professionals, medical students, college students and youth for fifteen years, she has taught courses relating to sexuality at the City University of New York and the University of California at Santa Barbara. Amy Jo specializes in women’s health issues and has taught breast and pelvic exams to medical/nursing students for 9 years; and she is director/producer of the forthcoming documentary, At Your Cervix, a film that depicts this work.

Amy Jo came to the field of sexuality via her activism about women’s health, women’s reproductive choices and other gender issues. Her work as a comprehensive sexuality education and LGBT issues advocate led her to provide trainings on sexuality issues to professionals, including how to address sexuality as service providers, and how to effectively serve LBGTQ youth.

Amy Jo earned a Master’s degree in Human Sexuality and Health Education from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree in Literature and Creative Writing from the University of California at Santa Barbara’s College of Creative Studies. Amy Jo’s work is informed by her international study of human sexuality, her knowledge and experience with ritual and shamanistic work, her connection and service to women’s communities, her own personal journey of sexual empowerment, and her deep work as a sexual being.

Berkeley College, established in 1931 as a business school, has grown since that time to a thriving multi-campus institution offering degree programs in a variety of disciplines. With seven locations in New York and New Jersey, Berkeley today offers programs that balance traditional academic study with professional training and hands-on experience.

September Events at the 92nd Street Y!

Wed, Sep 7, 7 pm, $12

TEN YEARS LATER: WOMEN HEROES ON 9/11 AND BEYOND

Join Women’s eNews, FDNY Captain Brenda Berkman and Soledad O’Brien in a tribute to the female heroes who risked and lost their lives on September 11th to save others. The panelists, moderated by O’Brien, discuss the often-overlooked women involved in the recovery, relief and rebuilding efforts at Ground Zero, and women’s overall participation in the work force. Berkman was one of the first women to be accepted into the FDNY and as a captain, worked with the fire department to save lives on 9/11. She retired in 2006 after 25 years as a firefighter and women’s rights advocate, but remains an ardent activist for recognition and visibility of the women in the uniformed services. Women’s eNews is an award-winning, nonprofit news service covering issues of concern to women’s lives. CNN anchor and special correspondent O’Brien has produced a number of documentaries, including Beyond Bravery: The Women of 9/11, which airs September 8 at 11 pm and September 11 at 8 pm.

Thu, Sep 8, 12-1 pm, $18

WENDY AND THE LOST BOYS: THE UNCOMMON LIFE OF WENDY WASSERSTEIN

Wendy Wasserstein (The Heidi Chronicles, The Sisters Rosensweig) was the first female playwright to win a Tony Award. Her inner circle was a who’s who of theater elite, including playwright Christopher Durang and former New York Times theater critic Frank Rich, but she was also a deeply private person who endured her greatest heartbreaks alone. Author Julie Salamon revisits Wasserstein’s greatest works, triumphs and tragedies, and reveals her life in full for the first time. Salamon was a culture writer for The New York Times and the film critic for The Wall Street Journal. She is the author of Wendy and the Lost Boys (Penguin Press HC, August 18, 2011).

“Come one, come all to SlutWalk NYC’s cocktail hour!”

Want to help make NYC’s first Slutwalk a huge success!?

If you answered yes to this question, head to Pop Pub on Monday, August 29th to help raise money for this great event!

If you answered no to this question, well maybe you just like wine, beer, and sex toys!

This fundraiser will be going on from 6 to 9 pm, so make sure to invite all of your friends!  There will be “drinks, lots of lovely ladies, and sex toys to raffle off donated by the Pleasure Chest.”  Really, this is just a win-win situation for all!

There is a ten dollar suggested donation at the door; wine and beer will be for sale inside for 5-6 dollars.  Please contribute if you can… it’s for a good cause!

The Rap Guide to Evolution: A Play about Hip-Hop Music, Social Behavior, and Biology

The Rap Guide to Evolution

Written and performed by Baba Brinkman, featuring DJ Mr Simmonds
Directed by Dodd Loomis
Projections by Wendall K. Harrington

“Astonishing and Brilliant!” – The New York Times

“Brilliantly conceived and effervescently performed!” – The Scotsman

A smash hit at the Edinburgh Fringe and around the world, THE RAP GUIDE is at once provocative and scientifically accurate, hilarious and intelligent. Brinkman performs his clever reworkings of popular rap singles as well as his own originals to illustrate Natural Selection, Sexual Selection, Evolutionary Psychology and much more. As Edinburgh’s Scotsman newspaper said, “you’ll never look at a hip-hop music video in the same way again.”

Soho Playhouse – 15 Vandam St. (between Varick St and 6th Avenue)

Performance Schedule:
Tuesday 8pm | Wednesday 8pm | Thursday 8pm | Friday 8pm
Saturday 7pm & 9:30pm | Sunday 5pm & 7:30pm

SPECIAL OFFER!
$ 39 (Reg. $55)

THREE EASY WAYS TO BUY:

ONLINE: Visit www.RapGuidetoEvolution.com and use code MARK11

PHONE: Call 212.352.3101 and mention code MARK11

IN PERSON– Print out a copy of this offer and visit Soho Playhouse Box Office- 15 Vandam St (between Varick St and 6thAvenue)

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.RapGuidetoEvolution.com

*Offer expires 9/5/11. Offer is subject to availability and may be revoked at any time. Offer includes $0.75 facility fee. Offer not valid 6/26/11. Blackout dates may apply. Normal service charges apply to online and phone orders. No exchanges or refunds. Not valid for prior purchases. Cannot be combined with other offers. Schedule subject to change. All sales are final.

[This post has been brought to you by the marketing team for “The Magdalene.”  It has been modified slightly to suit the format of this blog.]

A Letter From the Women’s Media Center on “Gloria Steinem: In Her Own Words” Documentary

On Monday, August 15th at 9pm EST/PST, HBO Documentary Films will premiere a new documentary Gloria Steinem: In Her Own Words. Rarely does such a feminist occasion come along and theWomen’s Media Center which Gloria co-founded six years ago is using the film as an opportunity to launch an intergenerational discussion about the future of feminism. Gloria uses the film as a rallying cry and asks people to use “their own voices” to plot the next 40 years of feminism.

We hope that you will send this information out to your members and anyone else who might be interested in the film and the campaign.

Here’s what you can do:

Host a House Party with “Gloria”
Gather friends and join the Women’s Media Center on August 15th at 9PM EST as we watch the premiere of the HBO Documentary, “Gloria: In Her Own Words.” As an activist, Gloria has spent over 40 years creating change, now it’s our turn to step up. Gather some friends and learn about the past and future of the women’s movement. Click here to learn more and sign-up to Host a Party. If you can’t watch the show on Aug 15 here are the other dates: Other showings: August 18 (11am); August 20 (2pm); August 23 (1:15pm and 12:30am) and August 28 (5:15pm). It will also air on HBO 2 on August 17 at 8pm. Click here to learn more to sign-up and host a party.

Participate in a Live Chat:
Join Gloria on August 16 at 4pm EST/1 PST to talk about the film and the future of feminism. Log intoHBO Connect for the chat.

Enter our Video Contest:
Submit a 2-minute video telling us what you want the future of feminism to look like and what you’re going to do to make it happen. The winner of the contest will have a private 10-minute phone conversation with Gloria Steinem and the winning video will be featured on the Women’s Media Center Website. Runner up entries will be posted on the Women’s Media Center YouTube channel. Contest will launch on August 15 at 10pm EST following the documentary. More details coming soon — Stay Tuned!

Join Us On Facebook:
In 140 characters, write on the Women’s Media Center’s wall what you want the future of feminism to look like.

Join Us On Twitter:
Join our tweet-up during the documentary premiere on August 15th to talk about the future of feminism and what Gloria Steinem means to the movement. Use #gloria and #WMC to join the conversation.

Click here for more information.

Thank you so much for sharing this information. We look forward to hearing what you think of the film and your thoughts on the future of feminism.

Best,

Julie Burton
President
Women’s Media Center

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