Women’s Equality Day

Women in the United States were granted the right to vote on August 26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution was certified. The amendment was first introduced many years earlier in 1878. Every president has published a proclamation for Women’s Equality Day since 1971 when legislation was first introduced in Congress by Bella Abzug.     This resolution was passed designating August 26 of each year as Women’s Equality Day

The right for women to vote was first proposed in 1848, but did not become law until 1920, 72 years later.  This is one reason its so important to VOTE … for all of the women who fought for the right for women to vote.   AND THEY DID FIGHT!   They were beaten and often jailed… but they didn’t give up!   WE shouldn’t either!

I recently attended the We are Women Rally in Washington DC on August 18.   If you’ve never been to a feminist rally – I highly recommend that you go the next time!!   A lot of my friends mentioned that they don’t like large crowds … and I understand how they feel, especially when the crowds are part of protest.  I’ve been to large events that are showing solidarity against war and yes, these crowds are sometimes a little intimidating.    The difference between rallies that are against something VS rallies that are FOR something is …. the ENERGY!    I was completely inspired by all of the WOMEN, MEN and CHILDREN that attended!

There is a lot of great people out there doing great things … and we need to remember to ENCOURAGE & SUPPORT one another!    Here are a few pics that I took at the rally — be sure to check out the We are Women website for more info — we have to stay connected to encourage everyone to VOTE for the politicians that support WOMEN and EQUAL RIGHTS !

See more pictures here : http://www.flickr.com/photos/trickydame/sets/72157631179179002/

There are some fucking cool women who are organizing an event in Washington, DC on August 18. (as of this blog posting, I’m still trying to get up there- looking for a ride from Savannah, GA!)

Why are women upset? Because we are still being punished for being women! Why are politicians trying to limit access to health care/birth control? Its the 21st Century!!! We are in a period of human evolution where everyone needs to start making choices from their heart not their EGOS! To control women is to limit human evolution and there are a few politicians who are not being very nice. Its very challenging for me who is very conscious of all of my thoughts/actions not to get really PISSY & ANGRY at the politicians who are denying women access to health care and other opportunities that will allow them to THRIVE! Support the women – and you support the Mothers! Support the Mothers and you SUPPORT FUTURE GENERATIONS! A lovely and smart woman named Maya Angelou once said, “We are not here for ourselves, but for future generations!”

And what about our rights as women to have sex with out getting PREGNANT!! Its hilarious to me how many GOP politicians want to deny women access to birth control when they are “against abortions/unwanted pregnancies”. People have sex. People require sex to be healthy people. People are going to have sex especially lower income because its usually something they can afford! Politicians are having sex so why can’t everyone!

I invite all of you to support the WE ARE WOMEN MARCH by attending or donating funds!!

Here’s some info from the http://www.wearewoman.us

We are marching for Rights affecting:

* Our bodies
* Our health
* Our families
* Our livelihood
* Our future

Women’s rights are human rights.

Click Here to read our bios.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to bring national attention to the ongoing war on women’s rights being fought by conservative representatives in federal and state legislatures throughout the country. We believe that women have the right to control their own bodies, make their own decisions about healthcare, receive equal pay for equal work, and be treated with respect by the men and women who represent them in their own state houses and in Washington. Women are not a special interest group seeking special privileges; we comprise 50% of the population, and we are citizens deserving of the same freedoms and protections awarded to our male counterparts. We Are Woman supports the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment and the restoration of all the rights that have been limited or destroyed by governors and other legislators across the nation. It is our goal to bring thousands of men and women together at the Capitol on August 18th, 2012, to tell our politicians, “No more!” We are strong, powerful, loving and brave. We are America. We Are Woman.

Chella writes and edits fanzines. She is a comedy writer and performer originally from New York who now lives in Sheffield. Her comic essay, Getting Civilized,  was recently published in the book Here Come the Brides!: Reflections on Lesbian Love and Marriage. She has contributed to Now Then magazine, Elevate Difference, Girlfuture, Sadie Magazine, Subtect Magazine, and the Guardian Arts Blog. Chella’s live work includes performances based on her zines It’s Not You. I Just Need Space. (interplanetary letters of love and rejection), The Venns, and Adventures in Menstruating. She has toured her shows at festivals and universities in the US, UK and Europe, and her play Leave to Remain won a reheared reading at the Crucible Theatre in 2009. Her zine covers and design work have been featured in exhibitions at Sheffield’ APG Works and the DIY Summer at Site Gallery, in News/Stand at Arts & Sciences Projects, New York, and in the magazines Time Out London, Plan B, Stranded, and the book Fanzines. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Education, focusing on femcare ads and media literacy, mostly when she ought to be sleeping. You can find more about Chella here: http://chellaquint.wordpress.com/

I know this rant is a little all over the place because I’m really so baffled at how to respond to the idiocy that is happening in our nation’s capital and around the country.

LUCKILY we have some amazing talented women who are speaking up against this craziness in the form of activism such as

Planned Parenthood – please support them if you don’t already!!

Tell Congress: Stop trying to block women’s access to Birth Control

Despite overwhelming public support for birth control, anti-birth control lawmakers aren’t backing down. They are determined to give employers the power to deny women coverage for contraception — and they don’t want to hear from women or from anyone who disagrees with them.

These legislators included five male religious leaders in the opening panel of the House hearing on the birth control coverage requirement — and not a single woman. In fact, they turned away a young woman from Georgetown University who had been invited by Democrats on the committee to testify about the role birth control plays in women’s health.

and these two artists:

Courtney McLean

Jenni Siri

Nancy Faith Anello talking about her comedy astrology & the CWS and *ReBeCCa* the best new musical coming to Broadway on *ReW & WhO?* Jan 18.2012 w/ Jennifer Jo Brout as the ‘WHO?’… fun fun fun…

http://www.rewandwho.com/

Here’s an excerpt:

A New York City subway train holds 1,200 people. This blog was viewed about 4,200 times in 2011. If it were a NYC subway train, it would take about 4 trips to carry that many people.

Click here to see the complete report.

Which is why its great to know that Amy Jo Goddard is sharing her gifts with this great workshop …

The Sexually Empowered Life
A 6-month sexuality program for women

This program will take place over six weekends between January and
June 2012, in New York City. (Specific dates available here.) The Sexually
Empowered Life involves a combination of deep work on the sexual self
through discussion, coaching and self-exploration; examination of our
sexual history and patterns; education about sexuality and the sexual
body; and ritual, experiential learning and group support. It is a rare
opportunity to dive deeply into the study and development of our own sexual
selves: as we step out of cultural limitations for relationships, identity, and
gender, we can examine and explore how sexual norms and sexual shame have
affected or inhibited our sexuality, challenge and confront what is no longer
serving us, and move into a place of full-embodiment of sexual power, desire
and healthy vulnerability. Women of all sexual orientations and backgrounds are
welcome.

Sexual empowerment coach, Amy Jo Goddard, M.A., facilitates this program
with a progressively feminist approach that creates an environment where
women can fully step into their sexual power and own the parts of themselves
they have forsaken or disconnected from, while being supported by other
women. Amy Jo has been a sexuality educator for over 15 years and is a
published author. Having worked in various women’s and queer communities as
an activist, performance artist and advocate, she maintains a deep commitment
to empowering women and girls. Read more about Amy Jo’s transformational
work at www.AmyJoGoddard.com.

***************************************************************************
A short write up about the free class:

9 Steps to a Sexually Empowered Life
A free workshop for women
Wednesday, December 7, 7-9 pm, NYC
In this workshop, learn about the 9 steps that will help you come home to your
authentic sexual self and express your sexuality with integrity and joy. Hear
about an amazing opportunity to grow your sexual self in a totally unique and
meaningful way.
To sign up and for more info:
http://sexuallyempoweredlife2.eventbrite.com/

***************************************************************************

About the free teleclass:

9 Steps to a Sexually Empowered Life
A free teleclass
Saturday, Decemeber 3, 11 am-noon
In this workshop, learn about the 9 steps that will help you come home to your
authentic sexual self and express your sexuality with integrity and joy. This
teleclass is also an opportunity for you to learn about Amy Jo’s newly reformatted
program for women, The Sexually Empowered Life, and to ask her any questions
you might have about this 6-month long unique course so you can become the
full sexually empowered woman you are meant to be.

To sign up and for more info:
http://sexualempowerment.eventbrite.com/

TODAY’s inspiring person was Mary Ann Halpin and she quotes

As the Dalai Lama proclaimed, “The world will be saved by the western women.”

OH MY — I read this to mean that the Dalai Lama was speaking about Fucking Cool Women! This means YOU! … so whenever you have a moment of doubt about how important it is for you to share your coolness remember there are lots of inspiring fcw (&fcm!) out there to inspire you!

***********************

I embrace my sword of courage, and move beyond my fear… to help myself… to help the whole world. ~ Mary Ann Halpin

If today were my last day on Earth and I could share 500 words of brilliance with the world, here are the important things I’d want to pass along to others…

My goal has always been to live in the moment, as that is all we have. It’s a fearless way to live and drink of the delicious nectar of this beautiful planet. This is the most amazing time of our history to be living on this planet, especially as a woman. These are fearful times and we have the opportunity to move through our fear and embrace our sword of courage to achieve our dreams to help ourselves and help the whole world.

As the Dalai Lama proclaimed, “The world will be saved by the western women.” My message to the women of our global community is to help our planet heal. Find your Fearless Women Tribe and listen to your personal call to action. You may not know what that call may be. Don’t wait. Take the first step and you will find your mission if it isn’t clear right now. Don’t worry, you have a tribe to support you, nurture you and mentor you forward. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Say “yes” to adventure! Say “yes” to opportunity. Say “yes” to your own awakening.

The world has ended, as we know it. To survive and thrive in this energy, it is most important to live in a grateful heart. Cut the cranky and negative attitude and leap to the other side of that lumbering blob called fear walking down the street towards you. Don’t let it overcome you, just step aside and let it pass. Take a deep breath and connect back into your heart center. Exhale… yes that’s much better!

My fearless wisdom to humanity is to be a gentle human being. Feel the “beingness” of your humanity. Connect with nature, hug a tree, hang with children, watch snails, take a nap, laugh out loud, walk barefoot in the woods, cry for no reason and let your tears fall on Mother Earth, give a stranger flowers, let someone cut in front of you, hold the door for as many people as possible, say I love you to all your friends and family every time you see them, dance spontaneously with wild abandonment, hold someone’s hand, look in the mirror and say I love you, to you, give away money, write a poem, wear an outrageous hat, be silly, eat sumptuous chocolate, bless the food you eat, allow yourself to be out of balance, surrender to what is, tell someone they are beautiful, tell someone they are inspiring, surround yourself with beauty, be in peace, be the change, be the music… Be.

Those first few years living in the city that I spent my entire life dreaming about can sometimes be a blur – I was in my early 30s, living in the East Village, calling myself ‘queer’, hanging out with girl rock bands, watching underground performances in smelly basements, holiday parties in my 11th St apt and being inspired to live my life as an artist!!

As the years past and as we got older and started to evolve/transform our lives as humans do, I have always been grateful to have stayed in touch with Cheryl. She attended many of the early FCW Society brunches and I believe if my memory is correct, came to the last one I had in NYC before I left last spring.

Cheryl’s writing was smart, edgy, honest and feminist – all of the attributes of a fucking cool women. As I looked at her website today, I am so impressed with the body of work she gave to the world. Ranging from solo performances, published author and producers of some pretty amazing shows including PVC: The Poetry vs. Comedy Variety Show. I’m not always a fan of seeing live poetry readings or stand up comedy – but Cheryl with Carolyn Castiglia was ONE of the BEST LIVE PERFORMANCES that the Bowery Poetry Club has ever had. (in my opinion!!)

Cheryl died this morning from cancer, she is actually the first women I’ve known personally to die from this disease. Which I find pretty strange since there are so many women who have cancer in our country. One reason I believe I don’t know so many is because I’ve always surrounded myself with fucking cool women — and I read something once that women who have strong relationships with other women tend to have healthier bodies.

Why does someone who is so amazing as Cheryl who was surrounded by so many amazing women (& MEN!!) get this kind of disease?! As humans we want to know the answers — as a spiritual being we know that this is part of our journey … Cheryl’s spirit in human form has been such a great gift to so many of humans. I’m sure her girlfriend, Kelli can truly agree with this as well as be mourning the loss of her “fucking cool girlfriend” — my love goes to you right now! You were such an amazing support system for Cheryl and her spirit thanks you!!

And for the spirit energy that once filled the human body of Cheryl Burke — this energy source is now part of the angelic realm helping all of us with this transformation of our consciousness!

Thank you for being a fucking cool woman !!

Magic Passion Love & Cheryl B!

From Cheryl’s blog

It’s National Poetry Month and I’ve decided to take up the 30 poems in 30 days challenge.

Here’s my first shot:

Overcast

Outside, the couple fights in the parking lot again
The man holds the woman by the arm, then by the hair
Adults walk by and do nothing
I watch from the kitchen window, a live horror show on a gray day and wonder who I will be when I am her age

We don’t get involved, my parents tell me in the middle of their own indoor screaming
Close the curtain, my father says
It’s time to eat, my mother adds
An egg breaks on the floor
The yolk slides off my mother’s sponge and falls once more
We all laugh, a break in tension, before they start in again

Here’s a flier my sister sent me – “oh, those were the days!!”

Here’s a video!!