Jennie Thunder's feminist adventures in Windsor

I was invited to speak at the University of Windsor as part of their International Women's Day events this year. It was a real honour to be invited to share my knowledge about the representation of women in advertising, plus my experiences as a feminist radio program host and blogger.

Me (left) with Nicole and Meghan, hosts of Milk & Vodka

One of the coolest experiences was being a guest on another radio program. The University of Windsor has a campus radio station much like our beloved CJSW in Calgary. CJAM is smaller, but they do have a feminist radio program - Milk and Vodka. I was interviewed by the fabulous hosts Nicole and Meghan.

It was really fun to be the guest rather than the host, and it was awesome to meet other feminist radio program hosts! We share a lot of similarities regarding our goals and hopes for strengthening the feminist communities in our respective cities.

I gave three presentations while in Windsor, all of which involved ad-busting - my specialty! I taught students how to identify things like sexism and racism in ads, and showed them how advertisements work by making us feel ugly, wrinkly, fat and generally inadequate. The shittier we feel about ourselves, the more we'll spend on products that supposedly make us thinner, more beautiful, less hairy, less wrinkly, and so on. Below is a typical example of what my ad-busting looks like. I've been doing this for about 6 years now and it's so much fun. I like challenging the mainstream messages in advertisements and inserting my own message of empowerment (or maybe just something funny that makes people think twice about the images they're seeing). 

My whole experience at Windsor was thanks to a group of women's studies students who were asked to find a presenter for Women's Day. They wanted a young feminist who was active in her community, and they found me via this blog. As I mentioned, I felt very honoured to be asked to present. Spending time with the students who organized the events was a real treat. They reminded me of myself six years ago - a keener student (I mean that in the most affectionate way!) with a passion for women's issues and a desire to make a difference. 

The students who organized the event: Sapphire, Marianne, Alexis, me and Laura

On my final night in Windsor I attended a button-making event at a local cafe. Tons of students from all faculties showed up to make buttons. I made a few myself - pictured here. This was actually my first time making buttons - hard to believe since that's practically a right of passage for feminists!

Well, that's my trip to Windsor in a nut shell. The best aspects of the whole experience were spending time with other young feminists and hearing feedback from my presentations like, "I learned a lot" and "That was really interesting." I have returned to Calgary with renewed feminist spirit and I'm ready to keep on rockin'!

Call to performers for Take Back the Night

If you're a singer, poet, dancer or just passionate about ending violence against women, then you should consider being part of Take Back the Night 2011 in Calgary. The Call to Performers was just released - check it out!

Call to Performers for Take Back the Night - Calgary, 2011

Calgary’s 28th annual Take Back the Night event will be held on Friday, September 23, 2011 at 8 p.m. in Connaught Park at 11 Street and 14 Avenue SW. Take Back the Night is an international movement designed to raise awareness about violence against women and to support the well-being of those who have been and are in abusive situations. Each year between 200 to 500 women, men and children attend this free event in Calgary.

The evening begins with a rally featuring local speakers, musicians and artists. Attendees will then take to the streets for a march to symbolize the right women have to walk the streets and feel safe. 

The Take Back the Night planning committee is seeking individuals or groups to perform or speak during the rally. The tone of the rally is respectful and serious, so only performances that are sensitive to the nature of this event will be considered. The types of performers we are seeking include:

• Musicians, singers, songwriters


• Spoken word poets


• Dancers


• Speakers (i.e. someone who has been personally affected by violence, or has a loved one that has been affected)

Performances are short – if you are speaking, dancing or performing spoken word poetry, we ask that your presentation be no longer than 5 minutes. Musicians/singers will have the opportunity to perform one to three songs, depending on the total number of musicians chosen.

If you are interested in applying to be part of the Take Back the Night rally, please email tbtncalgary@gmail.com by Thursday, September 1 at 5 p.m. and tell us:

1. Who you are and what you do


2. The type of performance would you like to share at Take Back the Night


3. Why you want to be part of Take Back the Night


4. If you require or if you will be bringing any special equipment for your performance

We will confirm that we have received your email and will let applicants know which performances were chosen for the rally on or before Sunday, September 4.

If you have further questions, please email tbtncalgary@gmail.com or phone 403-816-5818. You can find out more about the event by visiting the website or Facebook page.

Feminist Flicks & Fundraiser!

rebELLES Calgary is hosting a screening of two feminist documentaries as a fundraiser for the Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering!



What: Two documentaries: (1) Itty Bitty Titty Committee, and (2) rebELLEs: The Movie. Feminism Uncensored - a documentary of the Pan-Canadian young feminist gathering, Waves of Resistance, that took place in Montreal in 2008.



When: Wednesday, March 9, 7:00–10:00 p.m.



Where: The Good Life Community Bike Shop in Eau Claire Market



Cost: There will be a small door charge, as the event is a fundraiser for reBELLES Calgary. There will also be baked goods and merchandise for sale.



For more info: Check the Facebook event.

Adbusting at Market Collective

Last weekend, volunteers from Take Back the Night Calgary set up an ad-busting workshop at Market Collective. People were invited to flip through magazines and find advertisements, images and articles that they wanted to “bust.” Busted images were then plastered over the walls.



I organized this adbusting workshop, and I’ve been doing these for about 5 years now. I define adbusting as “Defacing images that are offensive because they portray unrealistic beauty standards, are sexist, classist, homophobic, racist, insulting or demeaning."

Here's what the adbusting workshop looked like:

The workshop drew large crowds and we received so much positive feedback. One woman came up to me and said, “Thank you so much. I really needed to see this.” I think that seeing busted ads helped to remind people that we shouldn’t passively accept images we see in media: we should be thinking about them, what they really mean, and what they’re really telling (and selling) us.



We received over 100 “busted ads” but I can’t post them all here, so below are some of my favourites.

Jennie's Picks: The Best Busted Ads from Market Collective

THIS is beautiful? But it's fake!

Who can compete with Photoshop?

I miss my Mommy

Did you see she has such pretty eyes?

There's more to life than being pretty

That's cool... I'll just wait over here

Women are food? Consume, dispose, repeat.

Remember what food tastes like?

Fair trade sweater sale supports Bolivian women

Last year we interviewed some lovely volunteers from a fair trade organization called Minkha Sweaters, and they're having a sale on March 12! Details below.



Canadian volunteers sell Minkha alpaca sweaters that are hand knit by a women's cooperative in Bolivia. All profits are returned to the Bolivian women through the efforts of Canadian volunteers.



Worldwide, about 70% of fair trade artisans are women. When women have the opportunity to earn an income, they gain increased control over their family's spending priorities. Studies show that when women earn money, they most often use this income to improve the lives of their children. This results in better schooling, healthier food and improved health care for families, which helps to directly end the cycle of poverty.





Minkha Fair Trade Sweater Sale

Saturday, March 12, 2011

10am - 4pm

Strathcona Community Centre

277 Strathcona Drive SW, Calgary

BODY / IMAGE - feminist art show in Calgary

Take Back the Night Calgary presents BODY / IMAGE - a month-long art show and opening night event to bring communities together and to promote awareness around violence against women in Calgary.



The BODY / IMAGE art installation brings feminist issues to the forefront as local artists present work along the theme of the power and tribulations of womanhood.



BODY / IMAGE

When: February 3 – 28, 2011

Where: The Marquee Room, 612 8 Avenue SE



Opening night celebrations

When: February 3, 2011

Features: Performances by local spoken word artists, professional Burlesque dancers and gender-bending Drag Kings.

Cost: $4 - proceeds from the opening night cover charge will support awareness campaigns and community initiatives run by Take Back the Night Calgary.



Further details may be found at Take Back the Night Calgary, the Facebook event page, or by emailing tbtncalgary@gmail.com.

The 2nd Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering – Winnipeg, May 2011

The RebELLEs Movement wants to see YOU at the 2nd Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering! It's being held May 20-23, 2011 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.



What is the purpose of the gathering?

If you want to learn about feminism and what it means to other young women, if you are interested in connecting with other active, engaged, community-building young women who are fighting for social justice across the country, if you want to make friends from every province and territory in Canada, if you want to help young women across the country have their voices heard and if you want to join up with an amazing group of like-minded queer-positive, sex-positive, pro-choice women then this is the event for you!



Who can attend the gathering?

The gathering is a women-only space and is open to all persons aged 14 - 35 who currently identify and live as women, and those who were born female who claim no particular gender identification, who identify as two-spirit or gender queer. It is up to each individual to reflect on whether or not they see themselves in this definition.



What will it entail?

At the gathering you will have the opportunity to attend various workshops, small and large group discussions, engage in skill-sharing, creative resistance, as well as a mass action.



How can I get involved?

Join the RebELLEs movement, mobilize women in your community, and head to Winnipeg in 2011 to join up with hundreds of feminist activists from across the country!



Contact rebelles@femrev.org if you want to get involved in organizing, have any questions, or want to learn more about the RebELLEs movement!

Visit RebELLEs.org for more details.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Alberta women looking to get involved?



Calgary meeting - January 22

The meeting is a consulta for feminist women who are interested in attending or contributing to the Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering.



Date: Saturday, January 22, 2011

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Location: The Marquee Room - inside The Uptown Stage & Screen, 612 8 Ave SW Calgary

Contact: rebelles-calgary@hotmail.com





Edmonton meeting - January 17

We are looking to organize a group of Edmonton area feminists to attend the 2nd Pan-Canadian Young Feminists Gathering in Winnipeg May 20-23. We are organizing a consulta for woman and feminists to discuss issues that they would like raised at the conference during lectures and work shops.



Date: Monday January 17, 2011

Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Location: Remedy Cafe, 8631 109 St NW

Contact: edmonton.rebelles@gmail.com

Website: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=172252129478163

Going Down on Everyone: A Workshop About Fellatio and Cunnilingus (Dec 19)

Patty Thille, a sex educator with Venus Envy, will facilitate "Going Down on Everyone", a workshop about fellatio and cunnilingus that includes anatomy, safer sex, communication, positions and technique for mouths, lips, tongues and hands. Great for anyone who wants to know more about going down, regardless of gender or sexuality!



Venus Envy is committed to making sex education accessible and fun - they think sex should be dirty in a good way! Patty has been offering sexuality workshops for over six years, and this event will be educational, humourous, non-judgemental and empowering.



All details on the Facebook event page!

You may also wish to follow Venus Envy Sex Ed in Calgary on Facebook to keep up-to-date with workshops being offered in the future.



Going Down on Everyone

Sunday, December 19, 7:00-11:00 pm

Workshop start: 7:30 pm

714 5A St NW (buzzer: M. Hopkins)

Pay-what-you-can



Call 403.710.0093 or e-mail mark@swallowabicycle.com if you have any questions.

Calgary's Take Back the Night planning committee is looking for volunteers!

Take Back the Night is an international organization, but most major cities have their individual planning committees that organize an annual rally and march. These events bring awareness to the issue of violence against women in our community.



Calgary's TBTN planning committee is seeking ladies with the urge to do something good, to make some new friends and those who wish to apply their event planning and coordination skills to this important cause.



If this is you, or if you know of anyone who may be interested, email tbtncalgary@gmail.com for an application form and let the planning begin!

Six reasons why you should attend Take Back the Night

Take Back the Night is a march and rally held every year in September with the purpose of raising awareness about violence against women.

1. Every year in Canada approximately 178 women are murdered. As a comparison, 152 members of the Canadian Forces have been killed serving in Afghanistan since 2002. Each received respectful media coverage, as they should have. Yet more women are killed on average each year, often with no public attention at all, than the total of soldiers killed since we joined the Afghan war.
   
   
2. 39% of Canadian women have experienced at least one incident of sexual assault since the age of 16, but only 6% reported the crime to the police. The other 94% remain the silent majority. Take Back the Night encourages women to end the silence and speak out about these experiences. If we remain silent, nothing will change.
   


3. 83% of Canadian women fear walking to their cars in a public garage after dark alone. 75% fear waiting for/using public transportation. 60% fear walking alone in their own area. During Take Back the Night we march in the streets to symbolize the right women have to feel safe in public.
   
   
4. Of sexual assaults reported to police in Canada in 2002, 64% took place in a residence, 26% in a public place, and 11% in commercial places. Because so many assaults happen in the home, they are invisible to the public and thus easily ignored. Take Back the Night is important because it brings a private issue out into the public.
   


5. During a 12 month period between 2007 and 2008, 61,690 women were admitted to one of 569 shelters across Canada. 75% of women seeking refuge in a shelter are escaping abuse, but only 25% report the abuse.
   


6. Violence against women does NOT just affect the woman – it impacts the entire society. The social and economic costs of violence against women are enormous and have ripple effects throughout society. Women may suffer isolation, inability to work, loss of wages, lack of participation in regular activities, and limited ability to care for themselves and their children. Their children, family and friends also suffer in immeasurable ways.
   

Take Back the Night - Calgary 2010

When: Thursday, September 23
Where: Connaught Park (11th St and 14th Ave SW)
Time: Event begins at 8:00 p.m. Arrive earlier to make signs and lanterns. Some materials provided.
More info: the TBTN website, or the Facebook event.

Tonight: Interview with a Saskatchewan Feminist

Tonight I'm chatting with Bernadette Wagner, a poet and feminist who has been involved in Saskatchewan's activist/feminist community for the past 25 years.

Check out Bernadette's poetry book, This Hot Place.

Bernadette is also one of the founders of the Prarie Lily Feminist Society.

Wicked Workshops for Women

The Women's Centre of Calgary offers an amazing variety of FREE workshops for women! Workshop topics are extremely varied and interesting; self defense, money management, yoga, eating better, arts & crafts and SO MUCH MORE.



Check out page 4 of the Women's Centre's Summer Newsletter to see all the available workshops. Below are a few examples of workshops I think sound really cool.



Feminism 101

May 20, 6-8 pm



What's Next? Understanding the Economic Crisis

June 15, 5:30-8 pm



How to Become an Ally - Unlearning Oppressive Practices

June 24, 5-8 pm



Understanding Your Car - Basic Car Mechanics

June 29, 6-8 pm



Self Defense - Level 1

August 4, 6-8 pm



Eating & Staying Healthy on a Budget

August 16, 6:30-8 pm



All workshops are free. To register phone 403-264-1155

Kick-Ass Feminist Event - This Saturday!

What?
The Feminal Artery is a female centered event that will showcase a culturally diverse body of female talent. While women are the focus of the event, the event is not limited to women, and is open for appreciation by all.

Who's preforming?
Dance groups, acoustic artists, spoken word, bands, DJs.
See the complete list of artists.

Where/When?
Saturday May 8, 2010
Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Centre, 1320 5 Ave NW, Calgary
Noon to 1:00am

Cost?
$2 suggested minimum donation at the door. Proceeds will be donated to a women's group in Bolivia known as 'Mujeres Creando' or 'Women Creating,' which will allow the event to have a lasting impact outside of Calgary.

Other information:
-All ages (mature audiences @ 7:30pm)
-Alcohol served to patrons of legal age

Get out there and support our lovely local women!

Valentine's Day Women's Memorial March

Please bring yourself and your friends for a positive event honouring the lives of the missing and murdered women of Southern Alberta.



What: Calgary's 2nd Annual Valentine's Day Women's Memorial March

When: Sunday, February 14, 2010. The march starts at 2pm (please arrive by 1:30pm)

Where: Scarboro United Church, 134 Scarboro Avenue SW



Parking is available on site.



In order to properly show our respect for these women, we ask that you please do not bring your banners, flags, or leaflets to the Women's Memorial March as the organizers have created and blessed march banners to honour the women.



For more information: memorialmarchcalgary@live.ca

Click here to view the Facebook event

Tonight's Show : Take Back The Night Candle Light Vigil

Tonight, Geea and I will be joined by a couple of the organizing members behind this year's Take Back The Night event in Calgary. You may have heard or read that the usual Take Back The Night march is not going forward this year due to lack of funding and a few other reasons , most of which we will discuss on tonight's program. However, a candlelight vigil will take place on Tuesday Sept. 22 at 8:00pm; we will be talking with Juliet and Jennifer about it.

Take Back The Night is an annual march, vigil and rally that takes place in September of each year. Participation is worldwide and events are held in almost every country around the globe. It's purpose has grown to not only focus on the right for women to feel safe from harm wherever they are but also to eliminate acts of violence against women on all fronts while encouraging awareness that violence - no matter whom it is directed to - cannot be tolerated. The event is typically a very empowering one and we hope that many of you will come out and show your support despite any financial "road-blocks" (pun was sort of intended).


For information on how to become involved or to join the planning committee, please send an email to tbtncalgary@gmail.com.

Tune in tonight at 8:30 PM on CJSW 90.9 FM and stream it live from the CJSW website.

Rock 4 Choice Calgary 2009!

Rock 4 Choice is an annual event in Calgary that celebrates sexual freedom, choice and education. It's happening this weekend - September 12 and 13, 2009.

Everything is FREE or by donation!

Saturday
Workshops at the Arusha Centre (223 12 Ave SW). Descriptions of workshops can be found on the Rock 4 Choice Calgary blog.

1. You Are Really Fat - 1:00 - 2:00 pm
2. Baby, I'm A Manarchist - 2:00 - 3:00 pm
3. An Introduction To Polyamoury: Making Informed Decisions About Our Relationship Styles - 3:00 - 4:00 pm
4. What Is Pro Choice? - 4:00 - 5:00 pm
5. Bike Maintenance 101 - 5:00 - 6:00 pm

Rock music / dance party from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm at the Knox United Church (506 4 Street SW). Performing bands include This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb, The Martyr Index, Straight Edge Al,
The Throwaways, and more.
Vegan dinner served at 6:00 pm.

Sunday
Hangover brunch and more workshops, hoorah! All located at the Arusha Centre (223 12 Ave SW).

1. Free vegan brunch - 11:30 am
2. Self Defense - 1:00 pm
3. Documentary: The Business of Being Born - 2:30 pm
4. Acoustic Sets - 5:00 pm

Check out the Rock 4 Choice blog or facebook group (search "Rock 4 Choice Calgary") for details.

Show your PRIDE this weekend!

It's time for Calgary's annual pride parade! The event provides an opportunity for people of all genders, sexual orientations and walks of life to unite and march together.

Pride events on Sunday September 6th:

The parade begins at noon and leaves from 8th street and 8th avenue SW. Participants will march east along 8th avenue and end up at Olympic Plaza, where the street festival will begin.

The festival runs from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm and features street vendor tents, a beer garden, a stage with DJs and entertainment, and a Kid Zone.

At the end of the night there will be a dance held at Belgo (501 8th Avenue SW), and that kicks off at 8:00 pm. Pride dances typically feature special DJs, drag performances, prize draws and more!

All the details can be found at Pride Calgary.

Tonight: Local Events and Lovely Tunes

Tune in tonight to hear about up-and-coming local events that should be of interest to Calgary's feminist community. We'll also play a few tunes to delight your feminist ears.

Here are femme-friendly events that shouldn't be missed:

Afrikadey! - Celebrate African women's voices - Sat Aug 8, Princes Island Park

Femme Fatal Carnival - An erotic evening of dancing and entertainment: striptease shows, magicians, dirty balloon animals (!!!) and so much more. Friday August 14. Tickets are $20, get 'em at Blame Betty on 17th ave. Proceeds go towards helping young girls get off the
streets.

Calgary Fringe Festival - Uncensored and artistic theatre. July 31 to August 8. Click here to see Yeah What She Said's picks for the best feminist-themed plays!

Hit up Kijiji to see some local women's events, including women's retreats, gender awareness workshops and an intimacy workshop. Cool!

The Power of Women - See some of the world's most influential women, including Barbara Walters and Erin Brockovich. Live in Calgary on September 18.

Artist, Jasmine Valentina's Domestic Mobility

A couple of weeks ago, Geea and I sat down with local artist Jasmine Valentina at the CJSW studio to talk about her latest project entitled, Domestic Mobility. It was an interactive performance art piece that made its way through the streets of downtown Calgary. Jasmine's attempt was to re-contextualize femininity as a symbol of strength and protest the male dominant, destructive culture of the city by toting a small car-sized house through the city's streets, stopping to interview passersby and document their responses to the performance. All of this occurred while Jasmine donned perfectly hyper feminine '1950's housewife' garb.

As promised, we have posted photographs of the affair (thanks to Jasmine for providing these!). Video interviews with the public and other documentation of this performance are scheduled to show at Stride Gallery (on the +15) beginning August 6, 2009.

Domestic Mobility - Downtown Calgary, June 2009

Photos courtesy of Vanessa Riego and Pamela Norrish

Tonight's Show: A Chat With Artist, Jasmine Valentina

On tonight's show, we'll have a sit down with local artist and activist, Jasmine Valentina (a very dear friend of ours, here at YWSS). Jasmine's latest endeavor entitled Domestic Mobility will take to the streets of Calgary on Friday, June 26 from 4 - 9pm and Monday, June 29 from 12 - 3pm.

We'll talk to Jasmine about all of the pressing things, of course: art, activism and feminism in the context of artistic display.

Interviews with passersby will be conducted by Jasmine as she makes her way through urban spaces with her amazing sculpture in tow. The sculpture and interviews will show at Stride Gallery's +15 window with it's opening night on August 6, 2009.

Tune in at 8:30 pm (MST) on CJSW 90.9 FM and www.cjsw.com to hear all about it tonight!