Day 6 – Internship day

I have officially given birth to cankles. The past two days I’ve seen my feet become sausages and it’s not pretty. Especially when they gave mini births to many blisters. Flip flops and NYC do not get along. Neither do non-supportive sandals and swanky Converse.

We once again ventured to the same bagel shop for the amazing bagels. Sarah and I had our internship together at an organization that deals with domestic violence. Since the location is sensitive, it wasn’t written in our listing of organizations and all we had at that time was the idea that it was near Wall Street. Exhaustion trumped my preparation. Once we go directions, we successfully maneuvered the subway on our own. Victory! The subway was graced with the music that reminded me of my beloved Honduran brothers in New Orleans. Bypassing some beautiful architecture, we made it. We were in fact a half hour early. Once we got in and met with the director of volunteers, we met the corporate organization that was also doing their Impact Day. They had just had their huge annual fundraiser so the staff was pretty weary but once the corporate firm was given their task, the fantastic director Emily came and spoke with us. She was truly interested in what we experienced and, as a doula herself, was interested in our reproductive justice day. She set us up with the amazing Leah who is in charge of the Butterfly Boutique. They had revamped a closet into a boutique shop where women can get clothes for their children and themselves. It was such a cute space! Sarah and I took boxes of donated clothes, separated them by season and restocked the empty boutique. While simple, the task was hugely satisfying. Leah is a one woman power behind the donations and giving the women and their children a beautiful place to what could be a demeaning task – accepting donated good to simply clothe one’s self. Emily and Leah were both thankful for the work we did although I didn’t get to make as much of a dent as I wanted. The work they do is so amazing and necessary and I was so thankful for been given the opportunity to help out. Anytime I am in NYC I will be back to help in whatever way I can. Their parting gifts touched my spirit in so many ways. That is the heart to heart connection that bypasses everything. True, honest warmth from within emanate from these women and I was honored to be there. I was also happy to spend the day with Sarah who is a freshman. Interestingly, she is the youngest and I am the oldest student at the camp. I cannot wait to see the wonderful work she will be accomplishing back at UTEP!
As we wandered after our internship, we found ourselves in front of the Stock Exchange. We saw that there were cameras at the Federal Building and wandered over to see what was going on. There was a group surrounding a woman speaker so we tagged along to see what was up. Unknowingly, it was the end of a walking tour…how so New York to tag along!! Ha Ha.

We made our way back to the hostel and I had a rare moment of vegging in the room, much to the thanks of my feet. After a couple chats on the phone the fellow campers reconvened and we got to hear each other’s tales of interning. Some good, some not so good. Amy, Katie and I decided to venture and after finding that the Casa Frida Kahlo was just the name of the building, we decided to find where John Lennon was shot. As we walked around the area we came across 2 New York women that showed us that it was the next building over from where we stood. They let us know that the Dakota was named such because when it was built most people lived on the other side of town so the owners said they may as well be out in the Dakotas. They suggested hopping across the street to Central Park to Strawberry Fields. A few pictures later, we went into the park and found the beautiful mosaic in his honor. Beautiful.
We walked around Central Park, debated taking the carriage ride until we found out how much it was, the ladies were gracious in camping it up for the camera, found the French film being shown in the park, saw the gondola ride and made our way out the other side. Hungry, we looked to find cheap eats. Then we realized we were on Madison Ave, Park Ave and 5th Avenue. We didn’t think cheap eats were going to be found here. There were 2 older couples dressed very elegantly enjoying an after dinner walk together. They said their goodbyes and we then witnessed one elegant couple chase down the bus that was approaching. I loved it!!
We found a deli and had more yummy NY pizza and fab dessert. We were going to stop by a jazz club that was outside the subway stop near the hostel but alas, it was Friday night and they had a $30 cover. Welcome to NYC.
A shower, chat on the phone, and we attempted passing out…which proved challenging due to the international students chatting loudly on the balcony outside our window until the wee hours. Welcome to hostel living.

Day 5 – Feminist Art…

This is the day I was anticipating most…and it did not fail to infuse powerful inspiration.

Since we didn’t have to be in Brooklyn until 11, the Virginia girls were going to FedEx to retrieve my phone. Found a cab…then he told us he didn’t know how to get to the Bronx. (We were on the Upper West Side which is across the river from the Bronx). We walked…couldn’t find an empty cab, talked to some MTA people, found out were originally at the right place on the upper West Side, then said fuhgetaboutit when time was creeping away. So…we asked another MTA person where to find bagels and found the mecca of bagel goodness.
I now understand what a good bagel is. Everything bagel with veggie cream cheese…HEAVEN!!! We ate on the bench in the middle of Broadway and relished in heavenly goodness.
Off to Brooklyn…the subway is getting easier to maneuver and found our location…much like a choose your own adventure, we came up to the address and found a building to call up. Luckily someone was walking out so we jumped through the open door. Since we had directions to Powderkeg on the third floor, we started climbing stairs. On the third floor was an unmarked door and we were unsure if this was right at all. We knocked..hoping for the best…and happily..we were in the right place. Being the first ones, we got to relax in this awesome space. Powderkeg is a writing center that rented this space in which several books have been produced. It is reminiscent of theater space with eclectic chairs. Katie chose the old fashioned wheel chair which was the scene of later accidents as there isn’t a graceful way to enter and exit the chair.
Once everyone gathered…we met with the Guerrilla Girls. WOW!!! http://www.guerrillagirls.com/
It was so great to meet a few of the Guerrilla Girls and hear first had their amazing grassroots work. Their approach is fresh and their history shows how in tune they are with the world around. We started our activity spouting off what feminist topics need to be addressed. After picking out top 4 topics and breaking into groups, we worked on a video piece addressing our topics. In 20 minutes, there were 4 videos that were stellar. Once they are compiled I will post the link to them all. It’s powerful to see what was able to be done with a hand held video camera or by using the video option on our own personal digital cameras. I am in awe of the collective.

We then met with Arts Effect. http://theartseffectnyc.com/
I can’t say enough about the work being created here. First, these two ladies quit their non-profit work to follow their dream. Another real life example of following your dreams. The stories they shared about the middle school girls and their experiences were powerful. So many of us experienced people like the Boob Inspector whose job as a middle school boy was to fondle the newly emerging breasts of the girls. The juxtaposition of hating this violation and feeling adolescent acceptance is one of the many struggles for girls in this age group. When the girls get together in this space, they are able to talk about their experiences and gain the knowledge that they aren’t the only ones going through this. Through theater arts, they create change both within and externally. They revamped a hip hop song to represent feminist power…the link which I will post when I receive it. It is super powerful and to know that it is the collective voice of middle school girls was emotional. We were led through an Arts Effect activity and journaled for a few minutes about a memory of when we first noticed injustice or something that led us to feminism. We broke out in groups and created a theater piece around the one or two sentences that resonated through our writing. Interestingly, our group of 5 had 3 people write about their fathers. We had to incorporate the lines that resonated in our freewrite. In short, our group’s scene was a girl and her father, Tommy Hilfiger. It was after a whole day of the girl and her mother getting everything ready for the party and Daddy T was criticizing the daughter for reading her book and not having combed her hair for the party that was about to start. This triggered her reaction when he was vicious about the fact that she was reading Smut Manifesta and the daughter raged at him. His only reaction was to look down at his empty drink and ask her to get him another beer.
The other 4 presentations were immensely powerful and brought up so much emotion within. I treasure the space that allowed this beautiful work to come through the collective groups and to have witnessed how the ideas came together. I am thankful for Angi’s powerful performance on the window ledge, the strength in 4 words still drawing emotion from the depths of my spirit.
With this full morning of inspiration, we ventured to Streb. http://streb.org/
This is a new way of movement and there were rumors of trapeze. Amy Richards did do the trapeze for her birthday but there were other things on our agenda. This space also holds a tightrope workshop taught by Phillipe Petit who is known for walking the tightrope between the World Trade Center buildings. Once we learned pop action and how to fall from a standing position full body face down, we split into groups. First, my group, 5 at a time, stood on top of the rafter that usually holds lighting in theater spaces. In the air, we did 90 degree pops and jumping formations. A few of us wanted to go higher which we did. When you are high in the air and the skinny platform you are on is moving from the 5 people jumping together at once, it is pretty scary.
We switched spaces and learned to jump on the trampoline launch. After a running start, we took one jump and landed on the mat. Then we took a jump and landed on the mat in a full crouch face down position. How amazing…
Our final acrobatic adventure was for groups of 5 to hang from the rafter as it was lifted to see who could hold on the longest. There is something surreal about holding onto a metal framework and feel it lifted until your feet are no longer on the ground. Lack of upper body strength made my journey short but most of felt the affects for days after.
6:00 and our day as a collective was done. We had yet to eat the famed NY pizza so we found a place and happily was not disappointed. Chicken bacon ranch pizza is a must try for pizza lovers. We searched for a gelato place and weren’t disappointed. Knowing I still had yet to conquer my phone debacle, I started planning my way to the Bronx. Lizzy joined me and I was so grateful. We had an hour before FedEx closed. Unknowingly, we jumped on the express train and passed the stop needed. Now we had 30 minutes. We jumped off the subway and decided to catch a cab. Thankfully we did since we would have had to maneuver through an industrial section and with 5 minutes to spare, I ran into FedEx. With phone in hand, I did the victory whoop exiting the building. We took the subway to where Lizzy was staying and I made my way back to the hostel. After finally getting to hear Cassie’s voice, I went to bed exhausted but happy.

Day 4 - Media and Job Training

Day 4 Brooklyn Bound…

Wednesday, June 9: Media and Job Training Day…
::: Initially I was going to my Bronx adventure to retrieve my phone but we realized we didn't have quite enough time since FedEx opened at 9:::
The Virginia Girls (Amy, Katie and I) are venturing on our own to Brooklyn. The three of us met on the first day and have roomed together, along with our sojourner Sarah. Katie is a wonderful feminist from JMU. On our way to the Broadway station, we passed Casa Frida Kahlo. No time to stop today but definitely have to find out what this was all about!!!

Not quite sure where we are going, we made it to the Brooklyn subway station on Jay St. Friendly New Yorker guided us in the right direction, couple of turns, a few minutes to get there, one wrong turn, and then we were at the Ms. Foundation. Intense security check, name badges and off we were.
We met with Suzanne, Kara, and Melissa to discuss their journeys in working in feminist organizations and Melissa’s specific journey to grad school. Their insight was great and refreshing to know that there are many journeys to a goal. As with all the discussion on paths, I’ve found that when you trust your own instinct, what is in your heart prevails. Sometimes it takes the right person whose path you can learn from to come your way. As Amy and I are finding out, the Women’s Studies department at ODU is more amazing than we knew as we compared our stories to the ladies in camp. When the panel discussed business cards, Amy and I were among a few that presented theirs. Katie did a wonderful job creating them for us…Thank you!!!
Our lunch was also at Ms. Foundation and we listened to a panel of great speakers…Julie Scelfo from the NYTimes, Courtney Martin from Feministing, and Veronica Chambers from Glamour magazine. WOOHOO!!!! The best thing about their stories was how organic the process was…there’s always the ideology that there is a straight and direct path to your dreams and more often than not it isn’t the case. Hearing that from feminist voices is so great.
There was a guy standing around with a bright red shirt that said “I heart Feminists” Come to find out, he’s Vinnie from Vinnie’s Tampon Case (http://www.fredflare.com/diary/vinnie.php). The story is cool.

Off to the Feminist Press. Tillie Olsen is close to my heart as she was my first feminist representation. Her work was amazing though limited because she was a working mother and she acknowledged how the many roles we have can limit our work, our art and our creativity. To be in the organization she had a critical role in was great. The executive director, Gloria Jacobs, joined us alongside her staff and interns; she was truly interested in our discussion on new technologies and the potential of replacing in your hands texts. Her presence reminded me of Dr. Anita Fellman at ODU who was critical in my feminist journey. To connect with the publishing house who produced so many of my women’s studies books and whose work I’ve referenced countless times was very cool…too cool for words.
As if this day wasn’t already chock full of goodness, we ventured onto BUST magazine, a publication I adore. Debbie Stoller joined us and once again, it was another inspiring story of how a collective, working for the corporate machine, joined forces. What was striking is how BUST started out as a zine…and now is an amazing voice for feminist thought. Debbie was frank and open in her discussion which I loved. There was a point where she was talking about negative feedback and while I can’t recall her very frank answer…it had the flavor of what the fuck ever. She says BUST is a celebration of women’s culture and change begins in culture. Rock On!
This grandiose day just keeps getting better as we made our way to the evening event. The subway was right by Bluestockings, a wonderful feminist bookstore. But first we had to answer to our hunger so we ate at the all vegan restaurant next door. Throughout the day we had a person from NPR following us and recording our adventures and she joined us at dinner. She is working on a piece for New Hampshire NPR but will have the podcast when available. Throughout dinner she interviewed us and her questions were spot on and very intuitive. She is definitely in the right profession as she was stellar in her questions. There is something intimidating about having a microphone in your face but hopefully I represented well enough. Dinner was amazing…
We ventured next door to Bluestockings and I was in love. Since I had been to Chicago’s feminist book store (and the nation’s oldest bookstore) I knew better than to look at any books because I would have taken them all home. I found a scarf of the woman’s reproductive organs that will now live in the women’s studies department of ODU. Postcards and buttons for my special feminists…and we collected for our journey to the gallery and tonight’s event. First, we finished up a conversation of an older man whose goal was to read every book at Bluestockings. Behind me was the shelf of gender non-conformity and I told him I wish I was there when he started reading that shelf. That started a whole conversation of Trans identities and what is beyond the binary…subject I love to talk about!
We made our way to Gallery Bar for the Feministing, Paradigm Shift and Soapbox happy hour. Very cool art space with very mod and hipster people. Most of the people throughout the week that we met and the fellow students were mingling and having a nice time. We felt the impact of our intense day so called it an early night.

Day 3

(Due to intense schedules and exhaustion…this blog is finally being completed at home)
Day 3…Tuesday…

Today is all about reproductive justice. We ventured in separate groups to our respective organizations. As we rode to the Grand Central Station stop, we had our feminist power pole to hold on through the jostling of the subway car.

Choices in Childbirth (http://www.choicesinchildbirth.org/) was our first stop this morning. There was a lot of energy in the air as Choices was involved in passing legislation, the answer which was coming at 11:30 that morning. The Midwifery Moderization Act was created because in NY a midwife needs the signature of an OB. Many OB’s are not willing to do so. The only hospital that would allow midwives to practice was St. Vincent’s hospital – which was recently shut down. In essence, it was illegal for midwives to practice. I still haven’t seen the full answer on if it passed in the General Assembly.
Choices is also involved with the producers of “The Business of Being Born”. This documentary was created by Ricki Lake in answer to her birth experience with the medical model of birthing and labor. Choices believes in a more holistic approach to birthing and in having choices for a woman’s body with her birth process. They showed us the film they compiled; they shortened the full documentary to give access in the classroom. We were able to give our opinion of the rough cut.
Personally, this film illustrated how cheated I was in my own birth process. Seeing how amazingly beautiful birth can be and relating my personal experience was opposite ends of the coin. No woman should look back at this part of her life and experience regret.

Some of the other organizations visited by students were the Guttmacher Institute, Choices Medical Center, and the National Advocates for Pregnant Women.

Our next adventure was to the Third Wave Foundation. As we waited to collect, some of us ventured into the thrift store next door. Luckily my luggage would not hold the beautiful purple couch so I settled on getting an eclectic collection of CDs.

We gathered in the conference room to hear about the work of Third Wave. As our usual roundabout group introduction occurred, we had to state our name, university, our work and our preferred pronoun. The progressive mindset is wonderful. The simple act of asking our preferred pronoun acknowledges what is often not spoken about and represented – that there is more than just the obvious.

Off to our next adventure, we went our separate ways again. My journey was to the Spence Chapin Adoption Agency. This adoption agency differed than the typical idea of an adoption agency because they really focus on the birth mother. She is often forgotten in the birth process and seeing this highlighted my lack of perspective in the facet of adoption.

After being a part of these organizations, I realized that the idea of reproductive justice isn’t just right to choice. The idea is often caught up in abortion and the highly personal debate of that volatile topic. The right to choice is in all aspects of a woman’s body. The process of birth has been controlled medically and it doesn’t have to be so. There could be so much dialogue here on how the medical establishment has negated the knowledge of a woman’s body personally and how instinct and trust has gotten women through centuries of birthing and body. However, I will leave it as we have the freedom to choose what we will have for dinner, we should all have the choice in if we will reproduce, how that will occur and how the birth process will be. Simple as that…

A bus ride and a subway ride back to the hostel…and we are off to the Queer Literary Carnival!!! But first I had the beginning of what turned out to be an ordeal to retrieve my phone.
Cassie overnighted my phone…so I was anticipating returning to the hostel and being connected again to the world. I checked at the front desk – no package. I scrambled online to check the status…it was denied at the delivery point. Come to find out, the hostel does not accept packages. I was told on Sunday they do by a person who I found out was an intern. Grrr….After dealing with the manager (whose title obviously went to his head…) I had it held at the station…in the Bronx!!! But alas no time this evening for a Bronx adventure.

As kismet would have it, I saw on Miriam Perez’s facebook that there is a reading tonight of queer voice. The Queer Literary Carnival is a montly presentation and tonight’s theme was Butch/Femme. Miriam Perez was reading as well as Syd Blackovitch – one of my fave porn people. Due to time we cabbed it to the Lower East Side and in true Teri form, I had the address but not the name. Already frazzled by the phone ordeal, the cab driver brought us to 442...not 42 as I had written it down. We arrived at the Phoenix, on time and in one piece.
Outside was our fab program director Lauren who we chatted for a few minutes. Then Miriam comes walking up with her partner and we reconnected on how we knew each other. Fab start!!!
We walked in and found our pplace amongst the very cool eclectic crowd. The host’s partner was super friendly. She showed us the cookes she made for the event and had us try one – chocolate chip rosemary with sea salt…OMG YUM!!! Amy and I are going to do a bake off when we get home.
Amongst the crown was Audacia Ray and Shelby Knox. We got to chat for a few until the readings started.
Happiness!!! I loved that the butch identity wasn’t limited to the female physiology. Jack Stratton did a great reading on his butch identity. Sinclair Sexsmith opened…and while I had not recognized his name, I recognized his alter ego – Sugarbutch Chronicles. LOVE!!! Other readers included Cheryl B, Teresa Theophano, Diana Cage and Miram Perez. Syd unfortunately missed her flight and was unable to make it. There were books for sale from Bluestockings which we happily picked up. Got to share my funny SF story about Miriam to her…and we satisfactorily called it a night. We even made it to the local press.... http://www3.timeoutny.com/newyork/tonyblog/2010/06/we-were-there-queer-literary-carnival/
Happy Dreams…

Day 2...the first official day of boot camp

The weather has been gorgeous...and what better way to start the day than brunch in Central Park? A week ago, Amy Richards and Jennifer Baumgardner were names on the book they gave to the graduates at ODU. Today, they are colleagues.

From all over the country feminists gave their click moment when feminism became integral in their lives. Some were gradual, some were specific. Some from progressive families, some from patriarchal ones. Feminism comes in so many shapes and forms and the journey comes in so many colors. That's the beauty of feminism and humanity - when there is injustice, it crosses all boxes.

I am officially the oldest "student". Staying in a hostel is an eye opener in coming to terms with one's comfort zone, the progression of life and one's comforts. From 2 fluffy pillows at home to one that equals a sandwich...to bunking in a room with 3 other women that is the size of the smallest room in my house...this is a crash course in hostel living. But being so exhausted the springs on the mattress disappeared once I fell asleep to the constant doors slamming shut. The chorus of languages and accents in the common area is beautiful...and just like the sounds in the dream I had a week ago.

I can do this....

Back to today...the journeys of the fellow feminist run the gamut of our ages.

Similar to a school field trip, we collectively walked to our seperate morning workshops.

Mine was the Sex Worker's Project within the Urban Justice Center.
They provide services, legal and social, for those marginalized. The SWP specifically provides legal and counseling assistance for sex workers. They produced an amazing publication of their study and illustrate their work within this debated field.
Sex work is the third wave hot topic as porn was for second wave feminists.

What was heartwarming to me was hearing the stories of how these women came to work for this organization. Mostly by interning...(free work does pay off!!!) their journeys showed that what is in your heart can become your life's work. Now all I have to do is find what part of my heart I want to pursue. It rocked that their bathroom was an all gender bathroom. What was smart and something I wouldn't have thought of is that the doors go all the way to the floor. How progressive, and wonderful and needed. I ran through the dialogue in my head of those that are against all inclusive bathrooms and I think that this is a space for great discussion. I understand the privacy wanted while one is doing private business but can't this be a time where there can be dissection to the protest? What is represented by the negativity in having shared space? Food for thought...

After a sardine can ride in the elevator...

We met up with everyone at Babeland...a wonderful progressive sex shop. Women-owned, they are sex positive (which is a redundant term..IMHP) and have the philosophy that regardless of your gender (and they acknowledge ALL genders) that there is the availability of pleasure.

STARVING!!!

Street vendors are awesome. (No pic due to starvation...imagine a gigormous gyro in aluminum whil watching New York traffic fly by)

We met collectively at the International Women's Health Coalition. Audacia Ray (had read about her work in Bitch magazine but didn't know it was her) led our discussion on sex workers and showed her film on sex work and India. As a former sex worker, she gave first hand perspectives on this often misunderstood sector.

Dinner was lovely in the basement of the hostel...with Shelby Knox.

Great discussion on the new generation of feminism, activism in all communities, necessity of sex ed...

"There's nothing wrong with you, there's nothing wrong with her, there's something wrong with the system that makes you think there is" - Shelby Knox

I appreciate a feminist who is just herself, and real. There's isn't the need for pretension in being your part of making this world just. We are all the parts of a greater collective in making this space of ours better. In our own ways, we all contribute to make this world better...the people in my life uplift me, inspire me and keep me going on.

Now time to process and clear my mind for a full day of reproductive justive tomorrow. And queer activist literary readings. Le Sigh...