Amazing news out of Georgia, literally shocked about the terrorist attack at the US Capitol building RIGHT NOW. Clearly we look forward to a government that is more representative and continue the conversation about we want the state and country to look like while investing in the leadership and vision of women of color.
So trying to step back from this chaos and reflect, I took a bit of time off with my family over the holidays, which if you know me is rare. Part of activism includes self-care and space to reflect to grow stronger and I finally acted on that advice. As I jump back in right on the heels of the launch of the 2021 Rhode Island General Assembly and this new energy of a new day in our country, I am excited and finally feeling hopeful.
The past year was difficult and we still face a major crisis that we will only get through by coming together. We have the chance to push for real relief that does not leave anyone behind and continue to build momentum for other important changes to meet the needs of our families. Join myself and some special guests on Thursday, January 21st at 7pm on Zoom to talk about our next steps in 2021 and how you can be part of future change. RSVP here.
Since I am more of a visual person than writer, I thought it would be fun to share our year in review through images. Below you will find pictures of different highlights. Each one links to a webpage with more information on the event if you want to reflect further with us.
In spite of all that we have faced, I am proud of the community and movement we have built as well as look forward to building more of it. The Womxn Project board of directors and myself look forward to continued opportunities to advance health, justice and liberation with you!
Each image links to a page about each highlighted event further!
The Womxn Project hosted a panel to talk about the bans on health coverage as the kick off to the 2020 session in the State House Library.
Near Roe’s Anniversary, bill sponsors Representative Liana Cassar and Senator Bridget Valverde introduced their “Equity in Abortion Coverage Act”, a bill that will get rid of harmful bans on health coverage for abortion for people who use Medicaid and state employees.
The Womxn Project was proud to join thousands of activists from across the country in front of the United States Supreme Court for a demonstration as well as meeting with Senators Whitehouse and Reed where we got to thank Senator Jack Reed for agreeing to sign on to the Women’s Health Protection Act. Additionally, we met with the National Woman Law Center and Center for Repro Rights.
With COVID hitting the country we started to get more creative and use our activist network to create a video series called #SustainingCommunity. We developed this series in collaboration with SisterSong: National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, and Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR).
A multi-night speaking series culminating in a full group discussion around sexual liberation. We spend a lot of time talking about our rights and our health, but in this series, we went bigger than that. We want to work towards LIBERATION! We want to live empowered and self-determined lives.
Even with COVID, people took to the streets across the country, and joined in the chorus on the ground in a range of ways. Our projections started up, challenged former Speaker Mattiello on his statement that he did not think RI had enslaved people…. hmmmm.
For many years TWP has used projections as our immediate-artivist-response to inaction. The Summer of 2020 with the Black Lives/Trans Lives/ Indigenous Lives Matter movements allowed us to create COVID-safe site-specific projects in conjunction with different events or organizations. See the full range!
Our COVID-safe involvement in the 2020 election included projections, postcards and 5 incredible panel discussions including an amazing intersection of grassroots organizers from across the US. Most of them pivoted to candidates for a range of government positions, addressing diversity and life stories that brought them to where they are.
Traveling from Maine to Washington DC, our teams of volunteers made their voices heard around Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination to pressuring Susan Collins. Our experience have shown pressure from every corner makes a difference so did the work and got involved in our rights at the national level.
Remaining in a COVID-space practice and going back to our roots, we launched a quick fundraiser and volunteer effort — and you all answered! In 5 days. The Womxn Project was able to write, print, and send 10,000 postcards around 3 races that had huge implications in the RI Senate race.
Transparency in Government Document and Sign on! The Womxn Project lead a letter sign on that addressed the need for advocates and the public to be allowed in the democratic process through COVID-19. The letter was sent to leadership and the full General Assembly in Rhode Island.
Putting our attention to the unbelievable defiance of the Republican Party with hardly any financial relief for families and businesses, we joined in national calls to our Senators to do everything they could to support families and small businesses through emails and social media communication.