events

Well, the personal sure is political here on CNN tonight! And there’s nothing like watching young citizens on YouTube call on politicians to walk their walk. I’m loving the question during the green section, about whether the candidates took a private jet to the debate, and during the economy section, the one about whether they’d do the job for minimum wage, and the one during the education section about whether they sent their kids to public or private school. Unlike the business-as-usual debate, I thought these questions challenged the candidates to answer with a rare spontaneous candor–which, for the most part, they did. That public/private school one really got me, though. Aside for the candidate who was all about Catholic school, anytime someone answered that their kids went to private school, they went all defensive about how it was extenuating circumstances and all. (Yeah, right, says this public school baby.)

But the biggest miss: When the young woman who works at Planned Parenthood asked the candidates whether they’ve talked to their children, honestly, about sex, to a tee the candidates called upon answered that they’ve talked to their kids about “inappropriate touching” and how to avoid sexual predators. Methinks they missed the point. Thoughts?

Hey wait – did John Edwards really just say he didn’t like Hillary’s jacket? Did JOe Biden just say what he liked most about Dennis Kucinich was his wife?! Did Jeffrey Toobin really just say it was like watching Gladys Knight and the Pips (ie Hillary = Gladys)?!

This debate is hands down the most fun I’ve seen in a while.

Just had to post this picture Lisa Johnson sent me from the National Women’s Studies Association conference. That’s me in the glasses. And I think I’m rockin out with Heather Hewett? Can’t tell. Anyway, who says feminism isn’t funny.

And speaking of, if you’re in NYC, here’s an event for you:

LADIES WHO LAUGH!
Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Join New York Women in Communications Inc. for this exclusive, ONE-TIME engagement of some of the funniest the female comedians in New York! Enjoy lots of laughter, food and drink, while supporting a good cause!

Starring:
Carolyn Castiglia, Karith Foster, Leighann Lord, Lynne Koplitz, Robin Gelfenbein & Andrea Olten….

…comediennes who have performed on Comedy Central, VH1, MTV2, Nick-at-Nite, HBO, NBC and more!!

With Mistress of Ceremonies: Maggie Mistal
Host, “Making a Living With Maggie” Martha Stewart Living Radio

Wednesday, July 25, 2007
6:00pm-8:00pm
NBC’S Historic Studio 8H at Rockefeller Center

I’m back in NYC, trying to remember why I love it here, when California has the sun, the surf, the fresh air…

Well, yes, here is one reason: Four of my favorite organizations — Demos, the National Council for Research on Women, the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, and the Ms. Foundation — are cosponsoring a forum on my book next Thursday. If you’re in the NYC area, please come! The event will take place at the NYRAG offices located at 79 Fifth Ave (betw 15th and 16th Sts), 4th floor. It’s free and open to the public, but registration is required. You can also register by calling 212-633-1405 x533. Please spread word by forwarding the invite, found here:

file:///Users/deborah/Desktop/sisterhood%20interrupted%20invite.htm

(Or this link: http://www.demos.org/events.cfm)

I’ll give a talk based on my book, and panelists Desiree Flores and Dr. Mary S. Hartman will respond with discussion of the experiences of younger and older feminists in relationship to the movement and each other, how multiple generations of women can learn from one another’s activism to bridge generational differences, and what the future of the feminist movement looks like. The event will be moderated by Shari Cohen, Director of the Demos Fellows Program and a very savvy lady. Refreshments provided!

It was on Monday down in Soho, and I am lame for not posting this in time! Not that you can still go or anything, but just so folks know how very cool Culture Project (the sponsoring org) is, here’s what went on — you know, so you can feel bummed that you missed it too:

Jennifer Buffett moderated a conversation between and about women making serious change in the world, on a variety of platforms: Aisha al-Adawiya (Women In Islam), Gloria Feldt (activist, author, former president of Planned Parenthood), Carol Jenkins (Women’s Media Center), Idelisse Malave (Tides Foundation), and Letty Cottin Pogrebin (activist and author). And here’s how they describe it:

Culture Project’s Women Center Stage a multi-disciplinary festival featuring women artists whose work calls attention to human struggles globally. From Pulitzer Prize-winner Samantha Power to Chinese-Jamaican spoken word poet Staceyann Chin, Eve Ensler to Iranian comedian Negin Farsad, Carol Gilligan to Azar Nafisi, a play about human trafficking to a film about Hurricane Katrina (in 2007 alone) – we don’t represent everyone and everything, but we make a pretty strong effort at gathering most of it.

Now that’s a festival I want to join.

How much am I loving the Women’s Leadership Initiative at Demos? They’re sponsoring a forum on my book on July 26 in NYC (save the date!). But I also love them for highlighting “fresh thinking, research and writing by and about the importance of women’s leadership in building a strong democracy and securing economic prosperity.” I mean, what’s better than that?

If in the area, don’t miss their forum this week on Moms Who Work: Myth and Reality

Thurs., June 28, 2007
Program from 12:15-1:45 pm at Demos
220 Fifth Ave, 5th Floor
New York, NY

Here’s the deal:

Join Demos and co-sponsors for a discussion with E.J. Graff on the realities faced by working mothers (and their families) in the U.S. today. Drawing upon her article “The Opt Out Myth” published in the March/April 2007 edition of the Columbia Journalism Review, Graff will dispel myths perpetuated by misleading reporting and media hype, such as the “opt-out revolution” and the “mommy wars”– and will discuss how those storylines can harm public policy.

Panelists will respond to Graff with research, analysis, and discussion about the real issues facing various groups of working women; how advocates are creating policies to support women and their families; and what more still needs to be done: Carol Jenkins, Women’s Media Center; Linda Lisi Juergens, National Association of Mothers’ Centers (NAMC); and Lois K. Backon, Families and Work Institute. This event will be moderated by Linda Tarr-Whelan, Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos.

Co-sponsored by: The Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism at Brandeis University, Women’s Media Center, Families & Work Institute, National Association of Mothers Centers, The Columbia Journalism Review

If I weren’t going to be in Illinois at the National Women’s Studies conference on June 29, I’d be at the Knitting Factory in NYC that night, here:

Rock for Young Women will feature musical performances by Bouva, Boyskout, Tamara Fishman, Frank Hoier, and Receptor. Molly Kelleher and Maryann Schaub of Broad Comedy will present “It’s Great To Wait,” written by Katie Goodman. The evening will also include several spoken word performances.

Tickets at the door will be $20 with half of the proceeds going to GEMS (an organization that provides preventive and transitional services to young women, ages 12-21 years, who are at risk for or involved in sexual exploitation and violence) and the other half to the New York metro chapter of the Younger Women’s Task Force (which does great work on reproductive rights, voter education, and other issues important to young women in New York City). Doors open at 7 p.m. at the Knitting Factory (74 Leonard Street). Purchase advance tickets from the Knitting Factory for $15.

Thanks to Patti Binder for passing it on. And to someone named Nathan, whose graphic (above) I stole. I’m very into hot pink today – I’m doing my first bookstore reading for Sisterhood, Interrupted, which has a hot pink cover. Fashion advice needed: Is it tacky to wear a dress that matches your book?

Sadly, I can’t make this reading (hey Marco, when it’s comics, is it a showing?) tonight at Bluestockings Book Store down there on the Lower East Side. But I urge those who can and are looking for fun to go. Congratulations, Mikhaela & Masheka! I can’t wait to get my hands on your new books.