Service Learning-New Orleans

Over spring break 2010 I went to New Orleans to help rebuild houses that were damaged from Hurricane Katrina. Through Volunteer UCF there is a program called Alternative Spring Break. This is who I traveled to New Orleans with. It had been 4.5 years since the hurricane but the city is still in desperate need of help and repairs. This was a really great and rewarding experience to participate in. We completed a total of 36hours of working. It was great when we got to meet the homeowners whose houses we were fixing. It made it so much more worthwhile to see the looks on their faces. If I wasn't graduating Alternative Spring Break is something that I would participate in again.

Service Learning-Tunnel Of Oppression

I realize that I haven't posted enough on the blog throughout the semester like I should have to document my service learning. Therefore I am about to spam everyone with extra blog postings just to make sure that my grade is secure in this course.

On March 3 I worked with the UCF Counseling Center on the Tunnel of Oppression. My job was to work the table to sign in volunteers. The Tunnel of Oppression was a great tool to raise students awareness about various discriminations and oppressions. Some of the areas that they addressed were: classism, lookism, domestic violence, racism, heterosexism, and religious intolerence. I appreciated the domestic violence portion of the tunnel because they addressed the fact that men can be the victims of domestic violence and that violence can be verbal. I think that overall this project was successful. I am glad I got to be a part of it.

SL Posts

Since last week was innnnsane, I'll do two posts.

We had our fashion show on 4/15. I thought it went very smoothly. It was educational and I'm pretty sure our local business partners made money. It was great publicity for them, definitely. I think with more time, we could make this an annual thing.

Last week and this week, we are gathering names and addresses to send thank you cards to our sponsors/partners. They helped out immensely with donations and it's good to know we have local businesses that we can support knowing they are sweatshop free. Yayy!

Haitian Documentary and Dinner Party

Andrea and I will be showing Poto Mitan: Haitian Women, Pillars of the Global Economy and collecting items to send to Haiti.

"Told through compelling lives of five courageous Haitian women workers, Poto Mitan gives the global economy a human face. Each woman’s personal story explains neoliberal globalization, how it is gendered, and how it impacts Haiti: inhumane working/living conditions, violence, poverty, lack of education, and poor health care. While Poto Mitan offers in-depth understanding of Haiti, its focus on women’s subjugation, worker exploitation, poverty, and resistance demonstrates these are global struggles. Finally, through their collective activism, these women demonstrate that despite monumental obstacles in a poor country like Haiti, collective action makes change possible."

We will provide food and drinks, we just ask that you bring an item to donate.

-First Aid Supplies:
ace bandages, gauze pads, bandage & tape, Tylenol; children's tylenol, cold and cough medicine, eye drops, insect repellent, hydrogen peroxide, skin disinfectant spray
-Personal Hygiene Goods:
toothpaste and tooth brushes, soap, deodorant, sanitary napkins, brand new underwear
-Dry Foods and Other Items:
nutritional bars, fruit & nut bars, cereal bars (no canned foods), tea light candles & quality batteries (AA & D)


http://potomitan.net/
http://potomitan.net/downloads/Haiti_Earthquake_Relief_2010.pdf


I'm not friends with some of you on facebook. Here's a link to the event:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115381021816145&ref=mf

It's Tuesday, April 27 at 7.

We'll give a reminder in class on Monday.

SL post #6

This week I attended a little sister meeting at Tuskawilla Middle School. The theme of this week was body image so we critiqued advertisements and discussed how women are portrayed in the media as far as body types, race, class, etc. UCF day is next week and I’m still planning my women in history workshop. 

Almost Over

Well all the funs rasing for Relay for Life is done we did not reach or goal of 2000 but we almost made it our grand total was 1,556 at least we were able to raise that money and so awareness. As I went through some of my events I was surpised to find out how many people did not know what Relay for Life was. I was very happy to be a part of this great organzation and can't wait to continue to support them in the future. I know that UCF's Relay for life was this weekend the one that I am raising money for however will be held April 30 to May 1 at Timber Creek Highschool if you would like to come out a support it will be a great time. See you in class tomorrow good luck with your papers

Fashion show this week!

Hey everyone! As you saw from Lindsey's post, THE FASHION SHOW IS THIS WEEK.



It's going to be super awesome, so definitely come out if you can! And if you can help, let me know and we'll set you up. It'll count for last minute service learning hours. ;)

SL post #5

I’ve completed my required hours for service learning with YWLP, but I’ll continue with the program until the end of the semester. I’m still planning the UCF day “women in history” event with some other girls in YWLP. My focus for the event will probably be indigenous women in history. I’ll be attending a few more big and little sister meetings before the end of the semester as well.

SL Fashion

Well, this week is the fashion show.

I collected clothes with Bianca. We are still recruiting people to help.
I am trying to find someone to table for YWLP as well. We still need help, so if anyone is interested, contact Bianca :)

I will be photographing the show as well as helping to set up/take down/return clothes.

SL Updateee

Since the success of the benefit, VOX is finishing up the semester tabling, doing elections, and planning for the summer and fall semesters :) I was elected as President and I'm excited to keep doing activism and organizing before I graduate at the end of the year. I went to the NOW benefit at Natura, Friday, which was a lot of fun. This week I will be returning the dildo derby board to Fairvilla, tabling with a Feminist Theories class group that is collaborating with VOX for sexuality awareness, working on a booksale fundraiser, and discussing future conferences and event ideas. I am looking forward to the Sustainable Fashion Show and "How to Create a Trans-friendly Campus" with Scott Turner Schofield on Thursday!

Winding down

Hey I got the total from the basket raffel we made over 500 bring or total raised as of right now to a little over a thousand dollars it has been a lot of work but it is all for a great cause and has been worth the work. I still have one more fund rasiser to finish and than the night it self can't wait I know we are going to have lots of fun. I am glad to see that many of you are having sucess with your things as well. Good Luck Have Fun and see you in class

Service Learning-VOX Table

Throughout this semester I have tabled with VOX many times. On April 10th I volunteered to table for VOX for a GLBT conference held at UCF. We were there to show our support of the GLBT Community. We gave our information about safe sex, sexuality, and gave out free condoms.

Service Learning-Natura

I attended the NOW Natura Benefit to help support NOW! It was great!

SL!

I am currently compiling a manual for a counter-action to the Genocide Awareness Project that visits the campus each year, and which I protested this past year as part of my service learning. I am also heavily involved in the fashion show that is also being worked on by Bianca and Lindsey. The NOW benefit is tonight, and I am going now to cut flyers I have printed to advertise for the fashion show to pass out tonight.

Service learning Update!

Take back the night was a great success! I definitely wish that there would have been a greater turnout though. That's one of the things i hope to work on for next year, through advertising in creative new ways and advertising for a long time before the event, I hope to get more than just our usual progressive community out there to support the cause. I feel like everything went off pretty smoothly though and that there really wasn't anything bad that happened. the planning the entire week up until the event was extremely hectic and I almost lost my mind... but kept thinking about how this would definitely benefit the UCF community and that it was so worth it. Next year I hope to get funding from SGA and maybe have it be an even larger event on campus. I think it's making it's way to that point since this will now be the 3rd annual one coming up, but there is still plenty of work to be done! Up next? Making all of the certificates of appreciation for everyone who came out and supported us by tabling and speaking at our event. WHEW! Can't believe the semester is almost over!

SL-Clothesline Project

I am involved in more than one form of activism for my service learning.
Last year I worked with UCF Victim Services on the clothesline project and I decided to work with them again this year.
Last week I went to the training and Charolette Hewkin asked me to speak at the training to tell people about the experience I had last year.
This week is the first week of the clothesline project and we will be in front of the student union on wednesday at a table with UCF Victim Services. The clothesline project is a form of consciousness raising where survivors of violence can paint shirts. We then hang the shirts in the student union so that everyone can see them. April is sexual violence awareness month which is why the project occurs at this time of the year.

SL PRoject

Hey All I can't believe that we are almost done with the semester. This past week I ran a basket raffel it was extremely fun and very profitable. I do not have a total as of yet but I know that it is over 200 dollars. I can't wait to turn in the money and add up what we have raised for the great cause. Hope everyone is having just as much fun and doing well see you in class

Jessica

service learning 4

I’m still working with YWLP for my service learning project. I’ve attended a few more little sister and big sister meetings. I also attended an alumni event in which we all made homemade pizza with our little sisters. There is a big event coming up in YWLP called UCF day in which I’m helping to organize a workshop about women in history.

SLing Post 4

I've been working with NOW; we've finished Take Back the Night which went wonderfully--lots of people showed up and stayed throughout. The speakers had incredible energy and the audience reflected that. I'm really proud to have helped with it this year.

Now I'm switching my focus to the Sustainable Fashion Show, which many of our classmates are also currently involved with. We're currently collecting clothes and looking for models, so if anyone wants to contribute, it would be greatly appreciated.

Service Learning-Let's Talk About Sex Baby

A few days ago VOX had our Let's Talk About Sex Baby benefit. I would say that overall it was really successful! We had tons of prizes from various sex shops including Babe Land and Fairvilla Megastore. During the benefit we played games such as the Wheel of Fornication where players had to answer questions about sexuality and safe sex practices. We also played a game where contestants had to put a condom onto a banana without using their hands. This was quite humorous. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our event!

Service Learning Update

We're trying to plan a movie night at Stardust Video for mid April. We want to show Poto Mitan: Haitian women pillars of the global economy and have zines available with information on Haiti and how it came to the social and economic state that it is in. We've been trying to get in contact with the booking person at Stardust but he hasn't been getting back to us. If we can't have it in April before our service learning project is due then we'll have it in May sometime. Oh and hopefully we'll be able to sell copies of the DVD or take donations to send to Haiti relief.
(when I say "we" it's me, Andrea, and Kathryn working on this project together)

Service learning post

Hello all. I am working on the fashion show with bianca, collecting supplies and signing up models. Also I facilitated a lesson for YWLP, encouraging girls to use their voice and bodies to "take up space."

LTASB Benefit!

Last night was theLet's Talk About Sex Baby benefit that myself and VOX have been planning for the past 3 months. The event was sponsored by Fairvilla, we received a bunch of donations and had an amazing turnout. Overall it was a HUGE success (thanks to everyone who came out) and it was nice to see all our hard work paid off. Also this past week I went to Take Back the Night which is always a very moving, informative and empowering rally/march that I was so happy to be a part of and be there in solidarity with others who advocate against domestic violence, rape, abuse, assault etc. Marching and chanting around UCF, "Hey Hey Ho Ho Patriarchy has got to go!" made me remember why we do activism and how much fun it can be to join in with your community and raise awareness through a variety of ways. I am looking forward to more feminist filled weeks.

SL Week 3/29

This week, Bianca and I are collecting clothes for the fashion show. We are looking for donations to borrow as well as local sponsors.

We have 2-3 weeks to get everything together.

SL Project

Ok Sorry I missed last weeks class but I got the stomach virus and could not make it. I went to Relay for Life in Oviedo It was extremely fun and profitible. It was a international theme each team represented a different country and sold different food or crafts according to the country. It was a fun time for everyone there. I think the most fun everyone had was at the Mr. Relay contest its a beauty contest for the men but they have to wear evening gowns it very funny and interesting to see the guys all dressed up wearing heels and all. This week I have a basket raffel fund raiser. I am hoping that it will just as profitable as my other fund raisers have been. Hope everyone has a great week

Jessica

Service Learning-VOX Benefit Preparation

In order to prepare for the VOX Let's Talk About Sex Baby Benefit we had to prepare the goodie bags that people would win! We got together at Cristina's house and made a line where we all put in goodies and then sealed the bags. I am very excited for the event! I hope a lot of people show up!

SL Fashion Show

Bianca and I have fallen behind. I have found some ideas to share with Bianca regarding sustainable fashion to share with her.

I will also be attending the meeting this week, after class.

SL: Fashion Show

Hi all,
So, as it turns out, Lindsey and I have fallen behind on planning the fashion show. We've got less than a month to make up for lost time, so I'm asking you for your help.

We are staying after class today to figure out what we need to do to get this done. I would love if you'd be able to stay and contribute ideas. If you have ideas already, bring those; if you just want to brainstorm, that would be great too. And this should all count for service learning hours.

Thanks,
Bianca

Update

Hey everyone It seems that everything is getting more crazy as the weeks get closer to the end. I held a garage sale for relay for life and made 107 dollars Our next fund rasier is going to be a basket raffel which I am very excited about it. I went to a meeting the other night the central florida Relay for life center has raised over a million dollars i for the cause. I can't wait. If anyone would like to come out a support this great cause there will be one event held next March 26 and 27 Friday and Saturday at Lawton Childs Middle School in Oviedo. The walk begins 6pm Hope everyone is doing great see you all in class

Jessica

Service Learning!!!!

So, Take Back the Night is rapidly approaching and I've gotten a lot done but there's definitely still a lot more to be done! So far I've booked all of the speakers with the exception of 2 spoken word artists. And all of the people to come and table at our event have been confirmed with the exception of two local agencies.

Fliers have been ordered and should be in by next week which meas we start distributing next week! I still need to get a few things put together like food, banners, statistics, etc.

That's where we're at right now. It's coming along and should be fantastic!

SL VOX

I have been working with Cristina and our president Abigail to attain financial allocation for our members to attend the Civil Liberties and Public Policies conference in Massachusetts. We had some issues with SGA but we were given a second chance and are preparing for our second allocation request. We have also been working on getting donations and promotion of our Let's Talk About Sex benefit at the end of March!

Service Learning - Animal Safehouse

This week for my service learning project, I tabled outside of the Student Union for four hours on Tuesday. Leandra Preston also made it known to the Animal Safehouse members and Women's Studies Program students that one of the Orlando pet shelters was being closed for renovations and that the animals needed to be adopted and/or fostered and those remaining would be euthanized. I sent out Facebook messages and made phone calls to any of my friends or classmates that might have been able to take on the foster care of an animal for a few weeks. I am unable to foster animals because pets are not allowed in my apartment complex, but trying to find homes for animals with other people has gone relatively well.

SLing Post 3

I believe this is my third post--I've been sort of forgetful about my posting, but I really wanted to talk about the International Women's Day Panel Discussion event that happened yesterday. The panel was really diverse & knowledgeable (AND it included two of our own classmates, Kevin & Ross, both of whom were absolutely excellent). The topics were really varied and the panel's answers and perspectives were varied as well.

Don't get me wrong, everyone was incredibly respectful, but it didn't become a nod-fest where everyone agreed with each other; there were a few healthy debates that went on, and we unpacked a lot of issues. I actually think nearly everyone in the audience spoke and gave their opinion as well.

There was a definite global perspective taken on the discussion; the panel touched on issues such as the fact that there are more slaves in the world today than in the 1800s, the fact that girls in Afghanistan had acid thrown on their faces just for wanting to learn, the fact that in some cases domestic violence is seen as a pre-existing condition to insurance companies...I mean I could go on & on.

I definitely left the auditorium with a head filled to near explosion with facts and terrible statistics that have incited an even greater need to be active on my part. So I really wanted to make mention of the event from an audience perspective--it was great. Thanks & congrats to all involved.

SL Post 3?

I think this is post three.

My schedule is really baring down on me and preventing me from doing any SL hours. I wanted to attend the International Women's Day thing Ross is putting on, however it's the night before a huge midterm.

Hopefully, once my thesis is done, I can crank out some hours.

I do plan to attend the YWLP Girl Power Movie Night showing of "Real Women Have Curves" which tackles issues of class, race and gender. Although I am a YWLP facilitator, my attendance at this event is not mandatory. (Please let me know if that doesn't count!)

Service Learning: Interview #2

My second interview in Nicaragua was with the Director of Public Relations for the National Theater "Ruben Dario." This interview fell into my lap haphazardly as Senor Daniel just happened to know this women and thought I may be able to get something from her. Her position was not politically appointed but she informed me of the Theater's history of independence from the political process because of it's mission to bring culture to Nicaragua. The interview went somewhat slowly because her experiences in the revolution were few.

However, she told me one story that I found to be very interesting. Two years prior, the National Theater invited a dance group to the theater. When they were sent audition materials they based their decision on what they saw on the tapes. However, problems arose when the group performed the dance to the Nicaraguan public. Turns out there were several transvestite performers and what seemed to disturb people was the fact that they were transvestites. During this part of the performance the entire cast comes down, dances with the audience, on the audience, etc. and several patrons were upset because this "is not what they paid to see." While, this may not be something I can use in my project it was something startling about the view on sexuality in Nicaragua.

Service Learnings

I am involved in YWLP, the Young Women's Leadership Program, and the girl that I am mentoring is a part of a Puerto-Rican family. This definietly adds a transnational feminist aspect to it, as her family is very traditional in the sense of a hispanic mother-daughter bond, values, and lifestyle. I feel as though I am working on the akill of versatility and acceptance of different lifestyles, as that is an important and crucial aspect of transnational work, especially when one is coming from a standpoint of United States heavily-ethnocentric understanding. Each time that I travel, I am able to broaden my perspective about ways of thinking. Currently, she has entered in a beauty pagaent and I am trying to be supportive while firmly expressing my belief that certain areas of our society have been constructed in a way in which to promote competition and aggression amongst females. Also, her quincenera is being planned, and her older brother is a junior high school student in colorguard, which her mother does not much like, and so her mother favors her joining cheerleading instead.

For one week I collected petitions through the Student Labor Action Project (SLAP) for the Student Government to add a referendum to the student government association presidential elections in which students would vote for or against support of UCF purchasing merchandise from sweat-shop-free labor. Unfortunately not enough signatures were collected.

Another large project was a counter-action against the Genocide Awareness Project. We camped out in tents to reduce their space in half at 4 in the morning, worked out 'zoning' with campus police officers, and were present for the entirety of the day offering students a chance to speak with others about their views. I worked with NOW and VOX to do this, and am currently working on an "instruction manual" of sort to document the successes and shortcomings of the action. This relates to transnational feminism because of the historical genocide, and women's global access of and to reproductive rights.

SL VOX update

This week VOX continued to work on our donations for the Let's Talk About Sex Baby benefit at the end of March. We worked on changing the venue and talked about creating flyers to pass out around campus to promote. The president Abigail and I worked on getting allocated money from SGA to fund the Civil Liberties and Public Policy conference in April. About 6 of our members will be financially assisted with this funding. Abigail and I also researched the flights, room and board for those who will attend.

SL Update

This week in YWLP it was the big sister meeting, and we discussed our mutual identities and leadership. We played "get up and run" which was like musical chairs for our interests. We also did an exercise where one person was blind folded and the other 2 ppl had to guide them, but one couldn't talk and had to gesture while the other directed. I was the blindfolded person but our team did really well, and it showed how being a leader and communicating can come in many different forms, and you have to be aware of other people and their styles of expression.
I also received donation items for Let's Talk About Sex Baby! (Remember it is Saturday, March 27th at Peacock Room!) and talked with Fairvilla corporate about donating as well. I'll be contacting radios stations, ordering flyers and trying to get more donations.This week I'll be working with Abigail and Heather to try and get funding from SGA for VOX to go to the Civil Liberties and Public Policy Conference at Hampshire College. Wish us luck!

SL 4

I have done a little research on which documentary that we would want to show, and I think it has been narrowed down. Also, I wanted to collaborate with another organization to show a documentary, but unfortunately they are no longer doing movies weekly like they were at Stardust. Instead we'll just show it on our on. We're planning on burning some dvds of the documentary and selling them for a fundraiser on a sliding scale, and then donate the money to go towards Haiti.

Service Learning 4 - Animal Safehouse

This week I tabled outside of the Student Union for four hours. I have been using the tables and chairs in the front because they are free, and I do not need to lug the furniture in addition to the other materials I use for tabling. There have been no cash donations, but many people have taken flyers.

bell hooks event

Everyone:

Meet in front of VAB (the side facing toward Alafaya) at 1 p.m. We will leave campus by 1:15 p.m. I have only had two people volunteer to drive, so if you are able to as well, please let me know as soon as possible. I estimated gas and tolls to be about $7 per person, so if you do not plan to drive, please bring some extra money. (I think bell hooks is also signing copies of a new book, so you may want to keep that in mind as well.)

My phone number is 352-650-8540. Call or text me if you need to reach me.

Bianca

For more info. about the event: http://www.ncf.edu/news/?p=3933

SL Project and Announcement

Hey All A little update My SL project is going well and I wanted to let you all know that I am hosting a garage sale Saturday March 13 at my place of business. Which is Star Child Academy in Waterford Lakes which is right behind the town center next to firkin kegular Please come out a support this wonderful cause. I will remind everyone next week as well. Also some of you maybe aware of this alreasy and I will send an e-mail to everyone as well. but there is a event being held called the Tunnel of Opression It is being held on March 3rdand 4th in the Cape Florida Ball on the 3rd floor Tours are on March 3rd from 1-3pm and from 5-7pm then on March 4 from 10-12pm and 1-3pm for more information and to set up a tour if you want or to help out got to http://www.counseling.sdes.ucf.edu/?id=prevention_tunnel. Ok eveyone who is going to the Bell Hooks speak have fun and enjoy everyone else see you in class

International Women's Day: SL and Announcement

International Women's Day is less than a week away! Everyone, please attend to hear our awesome panel discuss global women's issues and celebrate the worldwide achievements of women. It's going to be this coming Thursday, March 4, 2010 in the Communications building, room 101, from 6-10 pm. There are two ways you can contribute:

1. Suggest questions for the panelists here. We may be able to include these in the moderated section of the panel. If your question isn't included, don't worry. The panel will be open for audience Q&A after the moderated section, so you can show up and ask your question in person.

2. Submit artwork! If you have some feminist related artwork lying around, even an old women's studies project, or dare to create something new, let me know. We will display your artwork proudly at the event. All skill levels may apply, we'll accept everything. If you are a true artist but are too embarrassed to show your art publicly, we understand. Anonymous was, after all, a woman and we would be happy to attribute any of the works we display to her at the artist's request.

Please let me know if you're interested in the above by posting on the blog, emailing me at ross.templeton@gmail.com, or calling me at 941-685-3039. I've been a busy little bee lately trying to round up panelists so I'd love to hear some support. See you on Thursday!

SLP blog #3

YWLP is still going well. Last wednesday we had a little sister meeting where my little and I talked about having a day of crafting with some other little and big sisters. My little is really interested in learning how to knit so this week we're going to meet at a bookstore and knit together. This wednesday there's a big sister meeting that I'll be attending as well. For my service learning paper I think that I'm going to tie YWLP in with the global community by comparing the ways in which young women interact and mentor each other in my own community with the mentorship styles of young women in the global community.

SL Upadate

Amanda and I are still searching for a film to show, but I feel like we are on the right track for one. Also, we are lining up the day that we want to show the film at Stardust. That seems like it would be the best location thus far. Nothing has been set in stone, but that is what we are trying to work on and get moving.

SL Week 3: G.A.P. Protest

Last week, on Wednesday and Thursday, you may have seen the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) on campus with huge posters, displays and even 2 trucks driving around UCF all in an attempt to compare abortion to historical instances of genocide. Not only were the displays hard to miss, they were downright offensive with images of the Holocaust and lynchings being compared to the supposed aborted fetuses they displayed. This SGA funded event, brought to our campus by Students for Life, was set up on the free speech lawn by the library and in front of the student union and on the stage. The National Organization for Women counter protested by setting up before GAP even arrived, reducing their space to set up displays. VOX was out in front of the union, where we tabled, handed out condoms, stood with signs in solidarity with friends, members and random students to promote that a womyn has a right to choose! We counter protested by being there for the student body, and not engaging with those affiliated with GAP, even though it was difficult at times. I think our composure and attitude allowed students to come up to VOX and vent their frustrations about GAP being at UCF, and it increased our presence, and hopefully our membership, to those who may not have realized that their is a group who advocates for choice. It was encouraging to see so much support for reproductive justice from new faces although it kind of stunk that it took something so obnoxious, racist and misinformed to get a reaction out of the student body. But now we are working to stop GAP from being funded or even allowed back at UCF and with VOX, NOW and individual students support, hopefully we will be successful. (SGA will be having a discussion about GAP and its funding this Thursday, February 25th from 5-7pm so if you were outraged show your support and show up!)

SLP #3

I returned from Nicaragua last night. I ended up with 5 recorded interviews and memories that will last forever. One of my first interviews was with a Deputy in the National Assembly named Evertz Cárcamo Naváez. Evertz was a stoutly man who had the air of combat about him. He was dressed in garb similar to Castro's army fatigues but all of it was grey. The interview took some time to begin since Mr. Cárcamo Naváez also happened to be the owner of Channel 41 in Nicaragua, and some college student from the United States was not his first priority.

Once the interview actually began he was very straightforward and to the point, a no BS kind of guy. However, I knew everything I was getting from him was BS. I asked about programs the FSLN and National Assembly were working on that were targeted at women. He did bring up a law that is being put to a vote in the N.A. that will require all children to be registered with the Nicaraguan government. He argued that this would benefit women because it would provide legal protection for their children should their husbands leave and refuse to pay compensation to the family. I also talked to him about his ownership of a television channel in Nicaragua (only about 10 channels shown in Nicaragua are actually OWNED by Nicaraguans, but that's another rant for another time). I was told that his channel is non-biased and has no political affiliation, and that it even has two shows where female anchors discuss the most pressing issues facing Nicaraguan women.

This did not strike me as anything radically different because I spent some time watching the Nicaraguan television stations and noticed that the voices of the disempowered in Nicaragua are typically represented in the media. The problem comes when those in power respond to the voices.

SL #3

This is for FEB15-19. On Monday we started a fund raiser that I am not sure will work, but if does it will raise lots of money. Each classroom has a water bottle to fill with dimes. If the bottles are filled with dimes it is 92 dollars. So since we have 11 classsrom we have to potentioal to raise over a thousand dollars. I have my fingers crossed that it will work. I hope everyones projects are going well.

Jessica

SLP#2

This is late it is about the week of Feb 8- 12 Well things are going well for our Relay For Life we held a Valentines Day Bake Sale where we raised 453 dollars. We are also getting prepared for the big event at Timber Creek High School on April 30- May1. It is a Medival theme so we are creating our coat of arms. We are going to hold a contest to see which design wins. Well I can see that many of your projects are going well can't wait to see how everything ends up.

SLP 2

Hello!

I talked to Bianca about the Fashion show, and we're going to talk more on Monday. I spoke with my partner, an audio engineer, about the being on hand if we needed a sound person.
I also hung out with VOX at the GAP thing, although I don't know if that counts towards SL.

Service Learning-GAP Protest

On Feb 17 and Feb 18 VOX (Voices of Planned Parenthood) did a peaceful protest against GAP (Genocide Awareness Project). GAP compares abortion to genocide and had 15foot tall signs with graphic pictures of lynching and the holocaust. VOX was there to be a resource for students who were upset by these images (most students were upset.) We were also there to fight for women's rights to have control over their own bodies. We held signs that said things like Trust Women and Stand up for Choice. At one point we were getting yelled at by a man with a bible and he was calling us murderers. I don't think that claiming my body as my own and making decisions for my own life makes me a murderer.

SL: Fashion Show

The Sustainable Fashion show is officially Thursday, April 15 in COMM 101. It'll be sometime in the evening. Right now I'm working on finding local vintage shops that would be interesting in letting us borrow clothes for the show.

Service Learning 3 - Animal Safehouse

This week I printed out many fliers for the art events that Animal Safehouse is participating in. Because of the lack of government backing, there is not any money that can be put toward printing materials such as hand-outs and fliers, so most of these materials come out of our own pockets. Utilizing the printing center in the Student Union was an excellent help, and a good number of copies were printed free of charge.

In addition to the fliers for upcoming events, I also printed a few applications for animal fosters, for anyone that is interested. If you would like to foster some animals while allowing their owners to escape from domestic violence please contact me or any other members. You can also print the application out online: http://www.animalsafehousebrevard.org

SLP- VOX 2

VOX participated in a counter demonstration against the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP). Of course being a pro-choice organization we made sure to put out the message that choice is possibility, not genocide. Genocide affects so many people globally and this group was using the word to push an anti-choice agenda rather than help people affected by real genocide. NOW also helped us by camping out on the free speech lawn to scale down the GAP display (thanks, you all are awesome). VOX is all about free speech but our presence was to be a voice of truth not of propaganda.

SLP #2

Hi everyone, I know this is really late but I figured it would be good to let everyone know that I am blogging about my experience in Nicaragua. You can see it at: http://elsuenodebolivar.blogspot.com/

SLP blog #2

I'm still working with YWLP so far. This past week I've put in four more hours between the big and little sister meetings. This saturday I have the opportunity to do a beach clean up with the little sisters in Cocoa Beach, which should be fun! My little sister and I have been e-mailing back and forth this week and will hopefully be able to get together sometime next week so that we can share our skills. I'm planning on teaching my little how to knit and she's going to teach me how to play the guitar.

Lisa Phillips

SLP@NOW part 2

I'm still working with NOW; there was a benefit at Natura which (as we chatted about in class) was pretty dope. I'm also keeping in close touch with Kelly about Take Back the Night, and I might even speak at that event(?), in any case I plan to be deeply engaged in making sure it's really awesome this year. All in all, I'm very excited about my SLing.

SLP Post #2? :D

Well.. Take Back the Night is well underway now. I have Jenn helping me out with this one and we're about to get busy! We basically have all of our speakers set in stone for the event. Now we just need to work on tablers, advertising and the fine tunings of the event. I'm super excited about it, as is everyone else that I talk to. This is going to be a great event and I can't wait to see it all unfold!

I'm ready to TAKE BACK THE NIGHT!!!

Service Learning Post 2 - Animal Safehouse

This week I worked with my community partner on Saturday. I tabled at Downey Dog Park at the intersection of Dean and 50 from 10:00 am to noon. Because it was so cold outside there was not the normal crowd that is there on Saturday mornings, but we are hoping in the future weekends that there will be a much larger draw as the weather grows warmer. We did however, end up passing out a few fliers and receiving a few dollars in donations.

Saturday night I tabled for my community parter at Natura Cafe at the Women's Studies Benefit, from 8:00 pm to midnight. We did a raffle, and raised a good amount of money, some of it came from the proceeds that Dr. Vest accumulated for selling her poetry album, "Mixed Messages". There was great entertainment, and there was a great showing of people.

I am telling everyone I can about how to get involved with Animal Safehouse, and giving application to those interested in being foster homes for the animals until they can either be reunited with their relocated families or found permanent homes.

Service Learning-Protest Preparation

Today the members of VOX got together to prepare for the GAP peaceful protest. We went over that we should not engage in arguments with the members of GAP. We also made signs for the protest.

SL Project

Wow Sorry I am so late posting this For my SL project I am running a team for Relay for Life and also volunteering at Orlando day school to help at risk children. Last week I ran a fund raiser called wear what you want for a buck it raised 150 dollars. This week I ran a bake sale and so far we have raised over 300 dollars have not gotten the final count yet. I have many other fund raisers coming up a few I could use so help to get out there to make them more successful I will post them on here we they get closer. I just want to say that I am really enjoying the class and can't wait to continue. All you SL projects sound so interesting and if there is anything I can do to help please let me know.

Prof. Irina Morozova

Service Learning Documentary

So sorry for posting this late!

For my service learning I am going to be documenting my thesis project in Nicaragua. I will be presenting on women's rights in the country and how they have fared since the end of the revolutionary period in 1990.

I am currently working on gathering interviews. I have about 4-5 scheduled in Managua, Nicaragua. I may have a couple in Leon, another major city in Nicaragua. Then I have one scheduled with a former female Sandinista (revolutionary party) activist. I am in the process of confirming interviews and asking for permission to film.

SLP ZINE!

So I'm working on an informational zine about Haiti for my service learning. Amanda has already volunteered to work with me and if anyone else wants to help you're totally welcome. I've already been gathering historical info from various resources but if anyone has new info I'm all ears. The zine will be ready by the end of the semester definetly and possibly before so I can log about the effectiveness of handing it out. I will update mostly on all of the information I'm acquiring.

Service Learning

Hi, I'm Ross, a senior Poli sci major with a WS minor. Sorry I've been such a stranger on the blog so far, I promise that that changes now. I'm an active member of Men Against Rape, a new student organization devoted to fighting rape and destroying the illusion that it is "just a women's issue." I encourage everyone to stop by our meetings on Thursdays at 3 and check us out, or ask me for more info.

Since MAR is mostly about community activism I'll be devoting my SL project to the United Nations Association's International Women's Day event. I've been part of UNA since my junior year and have taken part in several of its philanthropic projects such as fundraising for UNICEF and staging events for International Day of Peace. For IWD we'll be hosting a speaker's panel and a student art show. Submissions are welcome and won't be judged by skill. UNA is working along side the Women's Studies office and is shooting for a high-profile event that will raise awareness about global women's issues.

Service Learning

Hello! So, in the past I have worked on many many things. Since this class, global and transnational feminism, is an upper-level understanding of feminist theory, I am reflecting this within the projects I am taking on. Most have to do with the global community, at least our global neighbors. All in all, they are projects in which a higher-level of commitment, and upper-level understanding of activist work, is needed. Thus far I have assumed a leadership role in the passing of the DREAM act resolution through the UCF student senate. This was a 3 week process. I am also collecting petitions to add to the upcoming elections ballot a vote from students in favor of discontinuing UCF business relations with companies utilizing sweatshop labor. Also, the Genocide Awareness Project is coming to UCF in the next weeks, and I am bottom-lining a section of organized counter-action.

SL Project

For my service learning project, I've decided to put on the sweatshop free fashion show. So far I have Lindsey helping me for sure, and I've got backing from NOW and the Student Labor Action Project. So far I have basic plan thing typed up.

Goals for this week:

Book a room (hopefully for April 15th or 16th)
Create a calendar to follow
Start contacting vendors

Once again, if you're interested, I welcome any and all help. Maybe we can get a small committee going or something.

- Bianca

Service Learning

I plan on doing a movie screening with Jaime and Amanda at Stardust in Winter Park, or another location if that location isn't available. The film will demonstrate womyn from around the world and the issues that are facing. We'll take donations and send all of the proceeds to an organization that supports the issues in the film. We aren't sure what film we want to show yet, but we are currently searching for that.

Getting Started Week 1

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SL update #1

For my service-learning project I’ve decided to work with the Young Women’s Leadership Program (YWLP). I’ve attended the training as well as one “big sister” meeting thus far. This past Wednesday I met my “little sister” and we really hit it off. I’m really looking forward to continuing the program and becoming closer with Jazlyn (my little). So far I’ve put in 9 hours with YWLP and it’s only the beginning of the semester, so I’ll definitely end up putting more than fifteen hours into this service learning project.

 

I’m still not completely sure how I plan on tying this into the global community, other than that YWLP focuses on diversity amongst girls, as well as teaching cultural acceptance within our own community.

SL Post 1

Hello everyone!

This week, I emailed Bianca regarding the sweatshop-free fashion show. I was thinking if we need a venue, the History Center where I volunteer rents rooms. I have no idea if the one room they have available now will be big enough though.

I am also looking for various places to volunteer in the global arena.

I am open to suggestions :D

SLP@NOW

I went to my first NOW meeting last Friday, it was very organized, informative & fun. There were a lot of future events outlined that I'm looking forward to volunteering for/at, including Take Back the Night, a Natura benefit, a sweatshop-free fashion show, etc.etc.

Everyone involved had a great rapport & seemed really excited to start all this stuff, so I highly recommend joining to anyone with free Fridays.

Service Learning

For my service learning, I plan on trying to put together a movie night at Stardust Video and Coffee with Jaime and Andrea. We want to show a movie dealing with issues that women around the world are dealing with. Whatever the movie is about we will find an organization dealing with that same issue to donate the money to that we get from the screening. If we can't get it at Stardust then we will be finding a place closer to UCF.

I also plan on helping Kathryn with her zine, if she needs any help.

Ferree and Tripp

In the beginning of Ferree and Tripp’s book they say on page 8 that “it is also a meaningful question to ask how feminism contributes to creating and expanding social movements, including women’s movements.” How does feminism do this? Isn’t this an important thing to understand as a feminist in today’s world?
I was curious what globalization was before I started reading and my query was answered on page 9. “Globalization is made concretely meaningful by seeing it as a process that increases the importance and level of integration of transnational political structures.”
Through my other feminist courses I learned a lot about mapping my social location and the intersectionality of oppressions. On page 10 it gives a view of the intersectionality of social movements as “characterizing them and shapes how they position themselves in the transnational arena in which they operate. Intersectionality means privilege and oppression, and movements to defend and combat these relations, are not in fact singular… these multiple social locations re often—not, as is often assumed, atypically—contradictory. Organizations as well as individuals hold multiple positions in regard to social relations of power and injustice, and typically enjoy privilege on some dimensions even while they struggle with oppression on another.” It is interesting to me how we can constantly be privileged and oppressed simultaneously. How do you think this type of contradiction affects you in your everyday life?

SLP - NOW

My main project this semester is organizing the 2nd annual Take Back the Night march/rally at UCF for the National Organization for Women. So far I've done the preliminary steps to the event. I've reserved the stage in front of the Student Union, Millican Hall and Memory Mall. We also have an order in to have the fountain turned off just for us!

I've already made a list of people to contact both to speak at the event, perform at the event or just to table there. I've made the preliminary outline for how the night's events will occur. There is still some fine tuning to be done to that but it will fall into place once all speakers and such are confirmed.

I still need to finalize everything that needs to be done and make a very detailed list of things to do. that's what I'll be doing this week in order to organize myself and everyone else who wants to help out with the project. Here's to another successful TBTN!

SLP-VOX

Kaleigh pretty much summed up the events of VOX for this semester. I will also be tabling, planning for our benefit "Let's Talk about Sex Baby" held in March. I will also participate in the protest against GAP this coming week. This weekend we will be trained on protest protocols by the education coordinator at Planned Parenthood of Greater Orlando and making Valentine's Day goody bags for our tabling this week. Throughout the semester we will likely have small fundraisers like movie nights at local places like Natura. A few lucky VOX members will also get the opportunity to attend the CLPP conference in Massachusetts in April where attendees get to hear about sexual and reproductive health affecting different members of the community. As of now myself and the other VOX officers are arranging the funds so the members can go.

Service Learning Post 1 - Animal Safehouse

This week for my service learning project, my community partner and I assembled a tabling schedule that includes all other students that want to work with Animal Safehouse this semester. We have to bring most of our own supplies like tables, chairs, and fliers, so that is a bit of a challenged, but we are getting organized early.

Animal Safehouse had their first meeting last week which I attended, and all of the semester goals were compiled in a list. Finding foster families for 8 currently unhoused animals, creating t-shirts, and increasing publicity are only a few of the items of concern.

Week 4 - Ferree & Tripp, 1-77

Emily Vrotsos

Jackie Mallan-King

WST 4415

5 February 2010

I really enjoyed this week’s reading because it discussed the feminist movement as something that is continuously evolving. It is a constant pendulum made up of causes and effects. In her “Globalization and Feminism” chapter, Ferree says “the global women’s movement evolved in this environment” (Ferree 39).

I found it refreshing to learn about how the change during the 20^th century drew to a close can be marked by so many views within the feminist movement all around the world. The popular slogan about how the women’s rights were essentially human rights came as a bit of a cultural shock in some areas, even the United States. In 1993, I was only three years old, and I cannot imagine growing up in a time where my rights as a woman were not considered the equivalent of human rights. While we are not entirely equal to men in regards to wages and other aspects under United States law, most people tend to treat women as the equal of men in everyday life, and I cannot imagine existing in a time where that was rarely the case.

This reading was definitely intriguing because it assessed the end of the 20^th century under many different circumstances: the redirection and broadening of economic change, human rights, etc. It is also summed up in the conclusion of the “Unlikely Godmother” chapter that “despite differences among areas, countries, and regions, a global women’s movement does exist” (Ferree 49). This is hugely heartening because it suggests that though there are countless differences and variances among races, religions, biological sex, and psychological gender, there is still the common ground of our humanity. Listed in this same conclusion, it is mentioned that the global feminist movement is strongest in the southern hemisphere.

It is important to look at these changes that are being attempted as a revolution, as well as a movement. A revolution insists that it is a complete demolition of the previous system and replacing that inferior system with a more efficient, more fair arrangement and order. While it is ideal, it may not be possible for many generations, if changes are made within all of our communities, actions on the micro and meso levels will gradually affect and change the macro and global levels.

We have already begun to see this effect take place, in light of the example of giving women access and exercise to their right to vote. That was simply a transnational movement, as “The Evolution of Transnational Feminisms” states (Ferree 56). It was mainly a movement taking place in Europe and North America, but was closely followed by similar and nearly identical movements in other countries all over the world (Ferree 57). It often begins that way for many other changes of the system via the feminist movement; they often begin in one section of the world, and are closely followed by movements and revolutions all over the world, whether or not the former movements were successful.

1) Do you believe that it is possible to separate the global and macro levels from the micro and meso levels? Why or why not?

Service Learning Update-VOX

On January 31, 2010 I attended my first VOX meeting in the student union. I learned about all of the upcoming events for this semester. Not only does VOX have a table set up each Wednesday they also have events such as “Let’s Talk about Sex Baby” in March. They are also planning on counter protesting GAP on February 16th and 17th. GAP is an organization that compares abortion to genocide and they will be set up on the free speech lawn. They have been known to give out false information so our protest will consist of only the facts and more than likely a chant such as “Trust Women.” I am really excited to be apart of the protest!

On Wednesday February 3rd I started my volunteer hours. I was at the VOX table in front of the student union from noon until 2pm. I helped hand out condoms and give out informational pamphlets and helped answered any questions that students had.

Next week is National Condom Week because it is the week leading up to Valentines Day. VOX is planning on having a table in front of the student union a few extra days other than Wednesday. I plan on volunteering again this coming week to help raise consciousness about safe sex practices.

Week 3 Intro to Global Feminism

Naples/Desai

While reading Naples and Desai, I most definitely felt like I was forced to learn a lot of new terms very quickly. Among the many terms and concepts, the explanation of “Third World” in relation to the categorization of other worlds. I honestly never used the term “First World” to describe the country I live in, despite knowing this is probably the status both we (Americans) and the rest of the world ascribe to us. Naples and Desai “Third World” has received criticism because it “discursively justifies the construction of the First World countries as dominant and more advanced” (5). What I think Naples and Desai are trying to express is that by giving different countries and global regions a status, especially one primarily based on their affluence, only serves as tool of division rather than inclusion.

This description of the “worlds” reminds me of the very significant theme of invisible privilege. We never have to consider the issues of people of the Third World because they are, as the term describes, of a completely different world. Naples and Desai says this causes ‘othering’ women from non-Western countries”, which the authors go on to mention women of color born in American are “othered” too, and categorized as Third World (5). I think Third World is a term thrown around too freely without any thought of the attached connotation. I personally never really thought of the meaning of the terms and how it perpetuated divisiveness. I always thought of Third World as places that are likely to have issues we can help with but not necessarily how the terminology may be causing more damage than doing good.

Feree/Tripp

In the Ferree and Tripp reading I like the explanation of Transnational Mobilization broken down into the three waves of feminism (55-60). It was like a brief relearning of the significance and progress of each wave from a global view. When I was taught about the First Wave I remember talking about women’s suffrage but only in America. I never knew about suffrage in Japan or India at the time, let alone that there was the possibility their movements were more intense than America’s. I think this is particularly important because my experience is that when people think of feminism, positively or negatively, they think it is an American-centered movement.

Even Second Wave feminism was experienced differently than America. America experienced peaks and lows of feminism at certain times, specifically the 1950s, however in Latin America this decade was not a feminist “doldrums” but a time where “women and activists there were energized and internationally engaged” (Ferree and Tripp 59). This proved to me that the feminist waves are often defined America’s timeline rather than the world as a whole.

The Third Wave, globally, was the wave that seemed to have the same complaints as American feminists at the time. Many issues were focused and funded by white, middle-class international organizations, which of course is exclusive of many transnational feminists that have quite a different experience and set of complaints (Ferree and Tripp 60). The upside to this is it opens the conversation to solving problems affecting women in many different categories and broadens the very definition of feminism.

Questions

1) How do you think feminist movements can be better represented in learning about World History? Clearly not all of us are Political Science or History majors, so for those of us who experience this information as new how can terms be better incorporated in general education classes so we aren’t as green when taking an upper level class about issues we really should have some background on. For example, how do you think terms like “globalization” and “postcolonial”, which are often thrown around quite loosely, can be defined more broadly to include how it has affected women’s movements?

2) Since there may be some fuzziness (I know there is for me) about what wave we are currently part of, is it possible that a more globally unified definition of feminism is in the works or are our cultural, religious, ethnic differenced too extreme to be able to unite feminists across the world?

Kudos!

Hello fellow feminists!

Kudos to all of you on your fantastic, insightful comments on the readings so far. You bring up some excellent points, and your questions are so good that they merit further treatment on Monday, so I will pull some of them for class discussion. Continue with your discussions and responses to each other. I'm enjoying reading what you have to say. :-)

Cheers,

Jackie

Notes & Inquiries

Naples & Desai 1-44:

Looking at feminism in a transnational light is to look at the entirety of the interweaving, constellation-assortment of a movement that’s come to represent so much. Looking at the inequalities in the broadest of perspectives is the only foundation that a feminist movement that truly represents (all of) us can spawn from. As feminist scholars we’re very well aware of the divisions caused by race, class, ethnicity, etc.etc. historically within the movement. As we move into a transnational space we can meet feminists of different backgrounds and values and continue to redefine and expound on our overall mission statement of the kind of equality we’re reaching for (one which continues to strive to be inclusive of all women). Queries

Of course, a transnational & globalized world isn’t one that consists only of world conferences and new overarching policies set to expand equality; there are a lot of unjust and criminal aspects to a world that is starting to bridge toward the unruly, murky wilderness of global economics. Naples & Desai speak candidly about these unscrupulous goings-on, making examples of informal sub-contracts, the decline of social provisions offered by the state, and more specifically the detestable circumstances within which a Walmart CEO makes his 40 million a year— which would be on the backs of women who hand-weave their merchandise for 20 cents an hour (Naples 11). Transnational knowledge however, lets us keep our eyes (as combatants of inequality) on these worldwide political issues. After all, how is politics not going to shape the inner working of any political movement?

Ferree & Tripp 1-77

The knowledge offered with these readings were a good supplement for what I learned from Naples & Desai. Globalization is, of course, a huge impetus for political mobilization & for a more cohesive movement that looks closer to a quick-footed caterpillar than a snake that’s coiled into itself. After all, feminism is a huge tent, housing a bunch of smaller tents, and it’s very easy to lose your understanding of it. Attempt to make an overarching definition and it will get contested. The fact of the matter remains that women are over half of the world populous and each of us has a herstory of myriad circumstances, some of which will contradict with the perceived connotations of the word feminism. That’s a dirty word to many an ear, so we have to be clear and careful when we attempt to speak to it, so that it’s not confused for something else.

Ferree & Tripp make this assessment of the issue at hand, “No woman has a gender but not a race, a nationality but not a gender, an education but not an age” that is a very eloquent summation of the colossal diversity that one term is seeking to be applicable to; we’re talking innumerable variables (Ferre & Tripp 10). So the term has to be flexible, it has to be able to accommodate the individual and assemble the community if it is to garner equality for every woman.

Questions:

1) How would you define feminism for a woman who perceives it to be a tool of Westernization & a threat to their culture?

2) Can anyone explain Transnationalism from Above VS Below for someone who is slow to understand things.