Feminism Is For Everyone

Mar 26, 2009,9:45 PM

Lilly Ledbetter at the FMF Conference!

So, some of us went to the FMF Young Women's Leadership Conference this past weekend- I think all of us would agree that one of the highlights was hearing Lilly Ledbetter speak. You can watch her speak online:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/feminist-majority-foundation-2009-nywlc

Click on video clip 4 - Another women (in the red) speaks first, then Ellie Smeal, and then Lilly Ledbetter starts about 1/3 of the way through the clip (she is wearing blue and has a sweet southern accent!)

9:33 PM

HPV Vaccine for boys?

So, we've heard a lot about the HPV vaccine for girls/young women-but what about for boys/young men? In Europe, boys already receive the HPV vaccine right alongside girls. Check out this excerpt from an article in The Washington Post about how Merck, the company that makes Gardasil, has asked the FDA to approve the HPV vaccine for boys and young men:

When a vaccine designed to protect girls against a sexually transmitted virus arrived three years ago, the debate centered on redone question: Would the shots make young girls more likely to have sex?
Now the vaccine's maker is trying to get approval to sell the vaccine for boys, and the debate is focusing on something else entirely: Is it worth the money, and is it safe and effective enough?

Shocking that the concern for young men isn't about promiscuity.

(from feministing.com)

Mar 24, 2009,5:29 PM

Apply to intern at the Women's Center!

The UVa Women’s Center is accepting applications for the 2009/1010 Women’s Center Internship Program. Interns receive 3 hours of course credit per semester while enrolled in the Women’s Center classes, “Women as Peacemakers” (Fall) and “Global Justice and Women” (Spring), and are required to engage in 6 hours of internship activity per week in one of the following positions for the entire school year.

Applications are available now and are being accepted on a rolling basis until March 31. Interviews will be conducted the first week in April and internships will be announced by April 16. Please email applications to Jen Merritt, Director of Mentoring and Diversity.

Click here to read the internship descriptions.

Mar 21, 2009,8:26 PM

The Economy and Masculinity

Check out this video from CNN.

The anchor interviews Michael Kimmel- one of the leading experts on masculinity. They discuss how the economic slump is affecting men's identities. Obviously, many men can't live up to the ideal of breadwinner and provider when they've been laid off. The video doesn't really get to this, but I personally think this is the perfect time for men to re-evaluate what masculinity really means and throw out these antiquated ideas of what men are supposed to be. The video highlights a men's group- seems a lot like a consciousness raising group, right? I can only dream that these unfortunate times might bring about something good for American men and American feminism.

Labels: consciousness raising, economy, masculinity

Mar 13, 2009,11:31 AM

Celebrate Every Body Week 2009 Events

Body Groove

Misty Tripoli, International Nike Elite Instructor, will discuss the alluring trap of the illusive “perfect body” and how it affects the mind, body and spirit. Come dressed comfortably, to dance to your unique groove and be ready to laugh out loud! Bring your Student ID/gym membership card.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 6:30-8:30PM, Aquatic & Fitness Center Gymnasium

How to Help a Friend
Join students from Hoos Open to Preventing Eating Disorders (HOPE) to learn how you can help a friend struggling with disordered eating, exercise and body image concerns.

MONDAY, MARCH 16 7-8PM, Newcomb Hall – Kaleidoscope

Drop-In Eating Disorders Screenings

Free, confidential screenings offered by CAPS counselors.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17 8-11AM at AFC and 5-7pm at O’Hill

Self-scored evaluations will be available at Newcomb and Student Health.

Great Jeans Giveaway

It’s in your genes, not in your jeans! Instead of dieting or exercising compulsively to squeeze into too-tight jeans, donate them in exchange for a FREE T-SHIRT.

MONDAY-THURSDAY, MARCH 16-19 10-2PM, The Lawn

Diary of an Exercise Addict

Peach Friedman will read from her book and discuss her experiences with an eating disorder, her recovery, consequences of a weight and fitness obsessed culture, and how to create a healthier environment.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 2PM, UPDATED LOCATION Rotunda, Dome Room

In-Person Screenings

Women’s Center counselors will offer free, confidential eating disorders

screenings during Celebrate Every Body Week (March 16-20^th). Call 434-982-2252 for an appointment.

Mar 10, 2009,10:25 PM

Zine deadline extended!

We're extending the deadline for S|He Said submissions until Sunday, March 15 at noon.

Because (a) we're more understanding about deadlines than your average professor and (b) we *really* need more submissions! Writing, photography, artwork--we especially need some cover art! (Don't let us resort to using clip art again!)

So keep 'em rolling in! Email submissions to femmag@gmail.com

Here's a final dose of inspiration:

Tomorrow Sue Wells will give a talk entitled "Our Bodies, Ourselves: Reading the Written Female Body," at 12:30 pm in the Jordan Conference Center. If you can't go, it looks like the talk will be posted online here:http://www.youtube.com/uvamch

Have you heard? Barbie is turning 50, and lots of writers are reevaluating her place in pop culture.

Celebrate Every Body Week:
March 15-21: During this week, the Women's Center as a part of UVa's Coalition on Eating Disorders and Exercise Concerns will sponsor a series of events to educate the entire UVa community on broader body image and eating issues. Go here for details: http://womenscenter.virginia.edu/coreprograms/bodypositive.html

12:50 AM

the work place

Woman allegedly fired for pumping breast milk

Mar 8, 2009,11:27 AM

Conciousness Raising

"Consciousness raising is a form of political activism, pioneered by feminists in the United States in the late 1960s. It often takes the form of a group of people attempting to focus the attention of a wider group of people on some cause or condition. It is the first half of the adage 'Admitting the problem is half the battle'.

"Early feminists argued that women were isolated from each other, and that as a result many problems in women's lives were misunderstood as 'personal,' or as the results of conflicts between the personalities of individual men and women, rather than systematic forms of oppression. "

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness_raising