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The University of Chicago Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance is
a
Campus chapter of the Feminist Majority Foundation, a national
organization that
works towards achieving equality for all men and women. We, the Feminist
Majority, feel that open dialogue about humanitarian issues, which concern
students on our campus and individuals throughout the world, are important
for expanding our knowledge and our dedication to activism. Although we
are
a feminist organization and first and foremost concerned with women's
human
rights here and across the globe, we are not closed minded in out beliefs
or
thoughts on how to go about taking action. We are an organization that
thrives in diversity and we welcome all individuals to join, and share
their
new ideas and thoughts with our growing community.
In the 1999-2000 academic year, we worked to raise awareness about Women's issues on campus by celebrating numerous events. In October, the National Young Women's Day of Action brought attention to the violence against women with action on the quads. In January, we celebrated the anniversary of the Supreme Court Case Roe vs. Wade. We also had a screening of the ground breaking documentary Jane, a gripping history of U of C women's activism fighting for reproductive rights in the 1960's and 1970's. In February, we celebrated V-day (or Vagina Day) on Valentine's Day with an ice cream party and dramatic readings of the play Vagina Monologues. We also held a study break to bring attention to the United Nations Convention on Eliminating Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), a pact the United States has failed to sign on to. In April, we displayed an emotionally poignant art exhibit produced by women and children who were victims of violence. We ended the year with a fundraiser selling personally-made Mother's Day cards and raffle tickets for our Female Musical Artists night. That night U of C gals rocked in celebration of Equal Pay Day! Combined with Northwestern University we marched to 'Take Back the Night' rallying hundreds of men and women through the streets with candles to symbolize their entrance into the dark without fear of rape and violence. We also attended lectures of feminist authors Patricia Ireland, bell hooks, and Susan Faludi who came to Chicago discussing their recent works. The Feminist Majority teamed up with RSVP (Rape and Sexual Violence Prevention services) to sponsor events during Rape Prevention and awareness month. We had a discussion between professors on "Should Government Fund Abortions?" and we published articles in the campus magazine, the Free Press, about feminist issues. In preparation for the crucial 2001 election, we actively solicited registration throughout the year. In the spring of 2000 U of C and Northwestern University gathered with thousands of national and international feminists for a 3 day conference, "Feminist Expo 2000," sponsored by the Feminist Majority. The goal of this event was to energize and strategize for the next decade and help prepare the future generation of feminists, while learning from famous feminists like Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Carol Moseley Braun, Mary Daly and Eleanor Smeal. |
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Inspired by our involvement in "Feminist Expo", our 2000-2001
calendar
will be filled with many of our staple actions, plus more exciting and
important events!
The Feminist Majority (Femmaj) gives you the opportunity to participate
locally in a national organization, that has increasing influence on
issues
effecting the lives of women and men, in the United States and around the
world. If you have any questions or wish to learn more about our
organization please attend one of our meetings and contact Heather Lorentz
at htlorent@uchicago.edu or Rebekah Lusk at rdlusk@midway.uchicago.edu.
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