Drew Davies from the Map of Gaps campaign forwarded along an awesome resource. Basically, what the map shows are locations of services meant to help women get out of dangerous situations involving domestic violence of sexual exploitation. What the map ALSO shows is how geography gets political — note that most of Britain is red (meaning zero access to facilities) for many of the resources the map is meant to help you find.

This is both an awesome resource for abuse … READ MORE

Jamaal Young over at NYPress reflects about the holiday season, and the confusing politics of family and “out-ness.” Good times!

Quotes from the post:

The holidays are upon us and that means we’re all prepped to spend some quality time with the fam. In my case, this requires that I hop on a southbound flight and head to the milder climes of the Carolinas. As with all things holiday-ish, it can be a little complicated: who has to … READ MORE

An Open Letter to All Feminists: Statement of Solidarity with Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim Women Facing War and Occupation
by Piya Chatterjee and Sunaina Maira
http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/cm130308.html
As feminists and people of conscience, we call for solidarity with Palestinian women in Gaza suffering due to the escalating military attacks that Israel turned into an open war on civilians. This war has targeted women and children, and all those who live under Israeli occupation in the West Bank, and are also denied the right to … READ MORE

23RD ANNUAL EMPOWERING WOMEN OF COLOR CONFERENCE (BERKELEY, CA)

“decolonizing creativity: FIERY WOMYN, FIERCE EXPRESSIONS”

Greetings! On March 8, 2008, the University of California at Berkeley’s Women of Color Initiative and Graduate Women’s Project will be hosting its 23RD Annual Empowering Women of Color Conference (EWOCC). This year’s theme, “decolonizing creativity: FIERY WOMYN, FIERCE EXPRESSIONS,” explores the theme of creativity by focusing on art as an expression of a woman’s life and identity. We hope to inspire and highlight the work of … READ MORE

Tenth Annual Women’s History Month Conference

Sarah Lawrence College, Bronxville, NY (20 minutes from midtown Manhattan)

Black Power, Black Feminism: Black Women’s Activism and Development of Womanist/Feminist Consciousness in the Era Black Power.

This Conference is FREE and open to the public.

Register at:http://www.slc.edu/womens-history/conference/index.php

Traditionally scholarship on the Black Power era has characterized this time of renewed cultural and political nationalism and activism as an almost exclusively male domain.

This has begun to change. Not only … READ MORE

Split This Rock Poetry Festival: Poems of Provocation & Witness

Washington, DC

March 20-23, 2008

www.SplitThisRock.org

info@splitthisrock.org

Split This Rock Poetry Festival calls poets to a greater role in public life and fosters a national network of activist poets. Building the audience for poetry of provocation and witness from our home in the nation’s capital, we celebrate poetic diversity and the transformative power of the imagination. Featuring readings, workshops, panels, contests, walking tours, film, parties, and activism! See the website for the … READ MORE

December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women here in Canada. Unfortunately, that site doesn’t have links to any of the planned activities in various cities around the country, but if you live in Canada, you can contact the nearest women’s centre, shelter for abused women, or sexual assault/rape crisis centre in order to find out the time and location of the vigils, information sessions or protests planned in your area.

For anyone outside Canada … READ MORE

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/greater-iowa/events.htm

Not Ready for a Baby Yet?
Prevent pregnancy today…and for years to come!

Take part in our FREE Plan B, FREE IUD or Implanon, and FREE vasectomy offer!

• FREE Plan B (the morning-after pill)
• FREE IUD or Implanon (long-term, reversible birth ontrol)
• FREE Vasectomy (long-term, irreversible birth control)

Visit your local Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa on MONDAY, DECEMBER 3 or call 1-877-811-PLAN (7526) for more information.

Stop by any Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa clinic for ONE packet of FREE Plan B ONLY ON 12/3/07. You … READ MORE

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) HIV/STD Program, in partnership with the Center for Health Training (CHT) and Workers Assistance Program (WAP), is conducting a call for presentations for the 16th Texas HIV/STD Conference, scheduled for May 18-22, 2008 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel in Austin, Texas. This event is designed for HIV/STD health professionals who serve Texans living with and affected by HIV and other STDs. Presentations should support the overall conference goal and objectives:

GOAL: … READ MORE

An estimated one million people are currently living with HIV in the United States, with approximately 40,000 new infections occurring each year. Half of all new infections in the United States occur in people 25 years of age or younger.

Please join us Saturday, December 1, 2007 to raise awareness about this growing epidemic. Hear the true life stories of HIV-positive teens from Metrolina AIDS Youth Speaker’s Bureau.

READ MORE