Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Youth: Their Issues, Concerns and How You
Can Reach Out
Karen L. Borth , Memphis Area Gay Youth Officers
Louis XVI
Growing up Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual in a heterosexual society can be lonely
and isolating. Participants will learn about conducting teen support groups,
respecting diversity, assisting in crises, and other strategies for helping
L/G/Bi teens.
Visioning NOW
Gay E. Bruhn, Ellen J. Zucker, Cindy Guerra,
Janet Levi, Marcia Pappas, Bonnie Grabenhofer
Venetian
During this session you'll contribute your vision to the development of
NOW's mission for the 21st Century. We'll develop a shared vision for input
into NOW's '98 Vision Summit and guidelines for getting your chapter's
vision into the summit.
"Daughter of VAWA" (Violence Against Women Act)
Pat Reuss, Cindy Hanford
Forest
NOW and NOW LDEF are involved in drafting a follow up to address problems
not covered by the Violence Against Women Act; help strategize on this
important legislation. The session will include a discussion on violence
against women as a hate crime.
Building Women's Diversity Advocacy Groups (DAGs)
Tom Perez
Hernando DeSoto
Diversity Advocacy Groups can promote affirmative action and diversity
at private, public and non-profit workplaces. This interactive session
will allow participants to explore ideas, apply the model in small groups
and take back valuable resources for successful DAGs.
Transgender/Feminism Dialogue
Terry McCorkell, Riki Anne Wilchins
Barclay
This session will examine how the struggle of transgender people against
gender-based discrimination fits into the scope of feminism in general
and NOW in particular. Participate in a dialogue of how and why feminist
activists should unite with the transgender movement.
Silicone Breast Implants: Disfigurement, Disability and Death?
Jean Craig, Arden Moulin
Galaxie
This session will present up-to-date information concerning breast implants
and their effects on the health, body image, earning power, economic stability
and families of over a million American women.
Poverty and Homelessness as Seen Through the Eyes of the People Themselves
Ruth Young, Constance Lesold, Geraldine Miller, Michel Coconis
Lansdowne
This session will dispell the myths and untruths surrounding poverty and
homelessness and the impact of welfare "reform." You will also
examine how consumerism and the way we spend money serve as yet another
division between people.
Feminist Activism in Rural Communities
Irma Harrington, Robyn Trosper-Murrell, Kelly Steiber
Auburn
Do you feel like you're the only feminist for miles? This session will
focus on the unique situations and problems that arise when organizing
in a rural community. Discuss and share strategies for succesful action.
Feminist Theatre I
Titles to be Announced
International
For feminist film fans! Women Make Movies has generously donated an
exciting selection of women-produced releases covering diverse issues.
Organize to Take Back the Night
Susan Anderson, Serena Gruia
Kentshire
Receive tips for organizing a Take Back the Night event that can unite
community members to protest violence against women; to promote awareness
of attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate violence; and to suggest vehicles
for change.
Is Workfare Slave Labor?
Barbara Foley, Mary E. Bell, Elizabeth Volz,
Karen Herman, Jan Erickson, Martha Davis
Louis XVI
Workfare's devastating impact includes pressure to abandon higher education,
crises in parenting and increased domestic violence. Workfare and other
forms of coerced labor in the U.S. will be examined, along with strategies
to address poverty and promote unity.
Constitutional Equality
Dr. Janet Canterbury, Twiss Butler, Cindy Guerra,
Linda Joplin
Venetian
With all of our rights under attack, how can we move forward to secure
equality for women once and for all? Learn how to create a climate to win
an amendment to put women in the constitution.
60 Tips in 60 Minutes
Kim Gandy, Barbara Hays
Forest
Tried and true ideas for recruiting new members, turning those members
into activists and helping them become leaders. Revitalize yourself with
some action ideas for building a stronger chapter in your own community.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind?: Feminist Action for Incarcerated Women
Monica Pratt, Margaret Vandiver, Michel Coconis
Hernando DeSoto
Women are entering prisons at an alarming rate. These are women of color,
poor women, mothers, survivors of abuse. This session will cover issues
including the effect of mandatory sentencing laws, disparate treatment
of women in prison and solutions to the crisis.
Organizing Around Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgender Issues and Hate Crimes
Kimberlee Ward, Mandy Carter
Bert Parker
From same-sex marriage to hate crimes to the multiple concerns of people
of color, LGBT issues are a feminist priority. With a focus on community
organizing and government relations, this session will provide activists
with the skills to confront attacks on equal rights.
The Intersection of Sexism and Ableism: Concerns for Feminism?
Stephanie Ortoleva, Joanne Tosti-Vasey
Barclay
What is our concept of a disabled woman? Women with disabilities are excluded
from gender analyses, while they experience much the same oppression as
other women. This session will examine the relevance of disabled women's
experiences to feminism.
Title IX: Making Schools and Workplaces Women-Friendly
Pat Varieur, Karen Weaver, Mira Weinstein, Yolanda Wu
Galaxie
Lessons from a current campaign and trial case on organizing campus
and community support. From action plans to building coalitions to membership
drives, get the tools and resources to organize around Title IX and workplace
issues.
Media Training
Melinda Shelton, Vivian Todini
Lansdowne
As "faux feminists" such as the Independent Women's Forum are
invading the press, it's more important than ever that we get our perspective
out to the public. Learn how to develop effective messages and use the
media to influence public policy.
Borders, Barriers or Connections
N. Beryl Wight, Harriet Ann Buckley, Dawn Strawder, Maxine Strawder
Auburn
Do you value diversity yet want to expand your skills at traveling across
cultural boundaries? This session will use art, movement and interactive
imaging to experience the energy and understand the patterns stirred up
as borders are crossed.
Feminist Theatre II
Titles to be Announced
International
For feminist film fans! Women Make Movies has generously provided an exciting
selection of women-produced releases covering diverse issues.
Countering Band-Aid Responses to Sexual Harassment
Dr. Joann Keyton, Virginia Stallworth
Louis XVI
This session will provide alternative reporting and training programs to
counter ineffective corporate responses to harassment. Take part in training
excercises and develop constructive tools for the workplace.
What's a Visit to Tennessee Without Country Music? The New Feminist
Music
Kathy Austin
Venetian
Think there's no current music to spice up your rallies and actions? Women
of country music are singing lyrics that feminists can take to heart. This
session will explore what feminist music is and how you can use it to get
energized. Bonus: learn a line dance (boots optional).
Internet 101
Sarah Stapleton-Gray, Pat Varieur, Deb Lukovich
Forest
As we take the movement into the 21st century, mastering cyberspace will
be an important tool in our empowerment. Get the basics on using the Internet,
email, web pages and more for organizing, political activism and effective
research.
Building Coalitions/Grassroots Organizing Around Women of Color Issues
Wanda Alston, Mandy Carter, Pat Reuss
Hernando DeSoto
Why do women of color need to organize in a feminist environment? Issues
of particular concern to women of color, such as HIV/AIDS, women in prison,
sexual harassment, violence, and homophobia will be discussed. Learn ways
to reach out and build coalitions.
Political Action: Taking Power Every Step of the Way
Carolyn Moncrief, Lois Galgay Reckitt, Kim Villanueva
Bert Parker
With strong feminist leaders in political office, we can excercise our
power to reach progressive goals. Learn what you need to know to work on
a campaign, help feminist candidates get elected, and run for office yourself.
Feminism 102: The Conflict Within Us
Pamela Hanor-Dawes
Barclay
This interactive session will define feminism for those who are unsure
or want help convincing "nonbelievers." Participants will discuss
the internal conflicts that are prevalent both in the femminist movement
and the personal lives of women.
First Strike: Breaking the Cycle of Violence
Colleen Dermody , Meg Jones, Claudia Haltom
Galaxie
How can we stop violence against women before it starts? Led by presenters
from domestic violence shelters and law enforcement, this discussion will
examine early precursors to abuse and how community leaders can act to
break the cycle of violence.
Redefining Liberation - Warning: Advertising May Be Hazardous to Your
Health
Helen Grieco, Elizabeth Toledo, Nicole Williams
Lansdowne
Focusing on the impact tobacco, alcohol and fashion advertising has on
the mental and physical health of women, the presenters will discuss strategies
for countering the negative role of this manipulative industry.
Immunodeficiency Diseases in Women
Dr. Mary Ann Fletcher, Dr. Nancy Klimas
Auburn
Women's health and the response to women's health concerns are feminist
issues. This session will address the signs, symptons and treatment for
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, AIDS and Fibromyalgia as well as health policy
addressing these diseases in women.
Feminist Theatre III
Titles to be Announced
International
For feminist film fans! Women Make Movies has generously provided an exciting
selection of women-produced releases covering diverse issues.
Victory 2000 - Elect Feminists NOW: The Feminization of Politics
Kim Gandy, Rosemary Dempsey, Elizabeth Toledo, Kathy Austin, Tammy Baldwin
Louis XVI
Join NOW/PAC as we launch our political campaign for the 21st century.
Learn hot tips for recruiting feminist candidates and helping them achieve
victory. Develop your political skills for targeting districts and energizing
your community behind feminist issues.
Promise Keepers: The Religious Right Challenges the Feminist Movement
Al Ross, Rosemary Dempsey, Mandy Carter, Lee Cokorinos
Venetian
The Promise Keepers, Inc. is a $130 million men-only movement that places
women "in submission" to men. Learn more about their political
agenda and how to promote awareness, organize oppositon and tackle their
"racial reconciliation" effort.
Internet 201
Sarah Stapleton-Gray, Pat Varieur, Barbara Burgos DiTullio
Forest
If you're already on the information superhighway and are ready to make
it work for you, this is your session. Learn about obtaining, creating
and maintaining a web page, setting up chapter/regional mailing lists and
beyond.
Organizing Against Sexual Harassment on Campus
Amy Drayer, Helen Grieco
Hernando DeSoto
High school and college campuses serve as training grounds for sexual harassment.
Stop students from learning these behaviors before they reach the workforce,
based upon California NOW's statewide campaign for "Woman Friendly
Campuses."
Breaking the Abortion Deadlock: From Choice to Consent
Eileen McDonagh
Bert Parker
Dr. McDonagh outlines an innovative and potentially crucial strategy for
fighting the current anti-abortion onslaught. This argument reframes the
right to abortion from a woman's right to "choose" to a woman's
right to "consent" to pregnancy.
Out of the Ivory Tower: Academic Research with Nonacademic Significance
for Women
Phyllis Betts, Joann Keyton, Martha Schmidt,
Lynet Uttal
Barclay
How do we bridge between feminist theory and informed activism? The Center
for Research on Women at the Univ. of Memphis will share their projects
on sexual harassment, women in science, and the relationship between statistics
and women's lives.
Dial 911 for Chapter Help
Barbara Hays, Doris Steppe, Deb Lukovich
Galaxie
Going down for the third time? Barely hanging on by a thread? Here are
some ideas that will not only help your chapter survive, but thrive! Bring
your ailing chapter back to life with solid suggestions for a structure
that will ensure ongoing chapter health.
A River of Pollution Runs Through It: Women Fighting Environmental Racism
in the South
Doris Bradshaw, Charlotte Keys, Franklin Dmitryev
Lansdowne
Across the U.S., African-American communities are fighting toxic contamination
in their neighborhoods. Women of color have taken the lead in creating
a unique and powerful movement for environmental justice that can serve
as a model for action.
No Justified Margins: Writing Our Untidy Stories
Cynthia Grant Tucker
Auburn
Facilitated by an author of four books about silenced women, this session
will address our hunger for lost or stifled stories. From nuts-and-bolts
tips to an engaging exchange of diverse ideas, this session will excite
participants to write more of our hidden truths.
Feminist Theatre IV
Titles to be Announced
International
For feminist film fans! Women Make Movies has generously provided an exciting
selection of women-produced releases covering diverse issues.
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