The Bella Bulletin APRIL 2019
Happy birthday to… American jazz singer, Ella Fitzgerald
Op-Ed on, “Audre Lorde” Content Creator, Sofia Baluyut discusses how writer and activist, Audre Lorde used her work to express the importance of equality for all.
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Table of Contents
This Month in Women’s History ……....……….3 ACTIVISM THROUGH ART………………….…….……4 Featured Headlines of the Month …….....….….5 FEMINIST FIVE………………………………..…..……7 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO..……………………….…...…....9 Looking for Enrichment Opportunities...…..10 The Bella Bulletin Staff…..…………..…..…......12 BALI STAFF & Board of Directors……….……....13
Women’s History of the month:
April
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Activism Through Art The Supreme logo, with its blocky white Black, lesbian, mother,iconic warrior, poet. These Lately, Frida Kahlo’s visage seems toare be text over a bright red background, has the words, among that Audre everywhere! You canothers, see images of herLorde face become tobags people of younger popping well-known up often on tote on the subway, (1934-1992) used to describe herself. generations. TheCaribbean-American company itself has buttons the Strand, countless Instagram Lorde, a from famous feminist posts, andsomewhat even street art. But truly who grew up inNYC Harlem, would holdto with many become synonymous honor this artist who centered womanhood, jobs--as an essayist, a poet, an activist, consumerism. But though the company hasa radical personal at struggles in her novelist,politics, and and a her professor reached widespread fame, we institutions may not work, we Hunter should learn more about her history including College--always existing in all know the 74-year-old feminist and and her art. of those identities. anti-capitalist artist whose work inspired the design.
Barbara Kruger was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1945, and eventually went to Now, Lorde is perhaps best known for her school at born Syracuse University andMexico. Parsons Frida was in 1907work. in Coyoacán, At writing and published This included works School being hired, and by 18, she was seriously bus accident, such as of herDesign poetry before inhurt TheaBlack Unicorn her would continue to be affected by entitled those injuries Conde Nast. Within these “biomythography” about her institutions life Zand ami: for the rest of her life. Her recovery, however, A New Spelling of My Name , published journals her eventual establishment in the art world,is what her to painting. Later,illness at 22, called she began from led her time dealing with The Kruger says that her childhood experiences her relationship Riveraof and Cancer Journals, with and Diego a collection hertraveled essays and familyhis circumstance continued to to artisticAlthough career. Their in support Sister Outsider. somerelationship of these influence her perspective. growing up was including prose, a Not yearlong worksfraught, are technically Lorde’s divorce poetic followed by she their remarriage, and she many upper says , means that is leaningsclass, come through in the richness and extramarital affairs for both (Frida engaged “from classandthan most of myin honestya ofdifferent her language emotion. affairs with both men and women). colleagues [....] I'm sensitized to issues of Lordeand was integral to discussions of feminism race difference.” Her art often reflected the painful relationships and womanism in the 1960s-1980s, particularly she had with her own body and with Diego. In in the ways she celebrated Black and queer her painting The Broken Column, she depicts womanhood, and brought the flaws in the physical pain; in Henry Ford Hospital, she paints white feminist movement to light. In her essay about her experience of miscarriage. Following “Age, Race, Class, Sex: Women Redefining her divorce with Diego, she painted Self Portrait Difference,” published in the collection Sister with Cropped Hair, where she represents an Outsider, Lorde critiques the ways that white androgynous version of herself in reaction to women ignore the multifaceted experience of her difficult relationship. all women and thus become racist and exclusionary their approach to feminism: “By Perhaps mostin importantly, however, her work and large within the women’s movement today, was also Kruger deeply political. Frida herself was mixed-race, Though supported as an white womensure focustoupon their oppression as and made particularly represent artist and educator for some time aftersexual her women and ignore differences of race, indigenous culture in her art. This interest in job at Conde Nast, really atook off preference, class, andher age.art There pretense and centering of indigenous cultureis made her a to a homogeneity of experience covered the part of the Mexicanidad movement. Sheby often word sisterhood that does not in fact exist.” In
after around 1980. She began collecting the sameherself essay, Lorde alsoTehuana critiquestraditional the ways painted wearing found black-and-white imagery, and printed that folks with tomarginalized dress, which calls an indigenousidentities, Zapotec social atop them in blocky culturecommentary where women are key societal particularly Black, queer, andgiven women-identified lettering. Her background as a graphic roles. Her iconic painting T he Two Fridas can be folk, are expected to educate white/privileged interpreted, part, as a discussion of herher mixed people about struggles and lead oppressions. designer forinatheir magazine helped to heritage; she is shown holding hands with She writes that such a dynamic allows this attention-grabbing, pithy style; the herself, where one versiontheir of herself isand in “oppressors positionstark black, white,[to] andmaintain red colors appear European dress, and for the their otherown in traditional evade responsibility actions.” and clear,wear. while her pronoun Tehuana Sheadvocated also ahmbiguous onored connection Lorde ultimately for aa recognition use engages the reader. (Where with directly nature through paintings likeofRoots and and acceptance of the difference peoples’ Self Portrait with Monkey . Frida also held might you rather stand, instance, in the experience, thanfor a rejection (othering) or Communist beliefs throughout her lifetime, ignoring of them. phrasing “your gaze hits the side of my attending protests, supporting workers, and face?”) Kruger also strove to Smake her art critiquing the lives capitalistic U.S. these elf-portrait on Lorde’s legacy on through ideas and accessible by literally placing it in public the the United her Borderline writings, asBetween well as Mexico in someand organizations. spaces: her art has been on b uses , sides States is one such painting where her love of an The Audre Lorde Project, for example,the is named independent, pre-colonial Mexico is clearly of buildings , skate and more.organizing after her, and worksparks as a,community contrasted with her negative experiences of the center based in Brooklyn that serves “Lesbian, United States. Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Transpieces and Gender One of her most famous was Non an Conforming (LGBTSTGNC) People of Color image of a white woman split in half, one Communities.” half where the colors are inverted, with the words “your body is a battleground.” This was Kruger’s art piece for the 1989 Women’s March on Washington, and it reflects her pro-choice sentiments while calling cis women to action over their reproductive rights. Of course, there is so much more to learn and honor about Frida Kahlo. It is important that she is not whitewashed and that the legacy of her Though her work was published as many as fifty beliefs live on just as much as her image. years Thoughago, sheLorde’s wouldwords later and be experience claimed asstilla ring true tofor thisdifferent day andfeminist offer much to learn figurehead movements, from. Although this is just a small sampling of there was more to her work and her life than her and thought, and it one-dimensional is difficult if not can voice be revealed in these reductionist to distill her work into athinking single understandings of her. To continue takeaway, one and of Lorde’s messages is about Frida her important legacy, there is an to recognize the complexity and totality of exhibition of her artwork at the Brooklyn differences within others’ experience. (In other Museum running from February 8–May 12, words, she is recognizing what would later be 2019, and Teen Vogue and The Independent termed “intersectionality” scholar points Kimberlé offer articles that can serveby as starting to Crenshaw.) After all, as Lorde recognized in her discuss the contrast between Frida’s image 1982 “Learning From ‘60spolitics ,” “There is beingspeech commodified and the the actual she no such stood for.thing as a single-issue struggle because we do not live single-issue lives.”
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Headlines of the Month Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey Introduce Green New Deal
Kenya Postpones Court Decriminalizing Gay Sex
Decision
on
On March 15th during Friday prayers, two Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tuesday, April 2nd, Lori Lightfoot made history mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand faced Senator Edward J Markey have recently by becoming first female, gay,Tarrant and Black mass shootingsthe . Shooter Brenton first introduced a congressional resolution, Called Mayor of Chicago. Lightfoot was a first-time targeted Masjid Al Noor, killing 42 worshippers, the Green aimed at limiting candidate in New a race of long-time established and then moved on toDeal Linwood Masjid, killing 7. greenhouse gas emissions and making other Chicago politicians including former Cook Tarrant supposedly used several firearms that significantBoard changes in the United in order County President Toni States Preckwinkle, were legally purchased (but are suspected to to combat climate change. The resolution former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, have been enhanced), and there were proposes a “10-year mobilization” a “Green state Comptroller Susana Mendoza,orand former explosives attached to multiple vehicles at the New HallDeal mobilization” that President involves City operator and school board sites of the attacks. . Authorities have reported completely transitioning to the use of Gery Chico. However, an FBI investigation of the that there is clear Tarrant would have renewable and alderman zero-emission energy sources, longest-serving in Chicago’s history, continued to mosques had heincumbent not been upgrading all attack buildings inthethe50-year United States to Edward Burke, exposed caught. Tarrant also live streamed the attack on power-efficient buildings,The eliminating pollutiona of attempted extortion. scandal became Facebook and left a 74-page anti-immigrant andbreak greenhouse gasdueemission big for Lightfoot to the factfrom that allthe of manifesto. Tarrant, who’s Australian, manufacturing industry, the were transportation the other long-term candidates connected supposedly toagricultural Christchurch for down the sole industry, industry, and to Burke. and Incame thetheend, the race came to creating new, jobsboth in training clean energy purpose for other people and Lightfoot and high-paying Preckwinkle, essentially industries. for The proposal works advocating for this the attack. samealso issues, liketowards more preparing Four people were eliminating inequalities around climate change, affordable housing, police reform, arrested and suspected of department having connections demands that all people in the United and bringing more city resources into to the incident, but Tarrant is the only one who States have clean air and water, and impoverished neighborhoods. Butclimate Lightfoot has been charged with murder. With the whole community resiliency, healthy food, access to presented herself as a needed change for country reeling from this rare instance the of nature, and a sustainable environment. city government and argued against the immense gun violence, New Zealand Prime Ocasio-Cortez and Markey introduced this aldermanic privileges that have allowed for Edward Minister Jacinda Ardern has already taken steps resolution because Greenhouse emissions Burke’s actions. Lightfoot was agas trailblazer in to change New Zealand’s gun laws. Ardern has are election the cause some of the worst this in moreofways than one. Despite the assured that, starting mid-April, there will be an consequences of climate change. Accordinghad to fact that her well-established opponents official ban on assault rifles. Furthermore, the research that this proposition carbon more than enough funding for theircites, campaigns, Ardern isin planning establishing emissions the UnitedonStates are rose by 3.4%a her grassroots campaign washas still strong enough buy-back program inAnd order to confiscate of lastwin year, if climate change proceeds inallthis to theand election. although her identity the newly banned weapons. wasn’t a pattern major part ofworld her campaign, current the will face Lightfoot extreme is only disasters the third and African-American mayor of natural the United States alone Chicago, and herof election makes Chicago the will lose billions dollars. According to Senate United largestMitch city to elect an openly gay MajorityStates’ Leader McConnell, the mayor. resolution will be brought to the floor for a vote within the next few weeks.
Anti-leftist Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro A group of armed individuals known as the This Friday, February 22nd, Kenya’s high court was and his administration have released plansOps to United Constitutional Patriots Border scheduled to rule on d ecriminalizing gay sex take women’s and LGBTQ historymigrants out of school. detained 300judges asylum-seeking However, the have claimed that more near time textbooks . These plans have been one of many Sunland Park, New Mexico in mid-April. This is needed to review the evidence, and as a result, moves ofmade by are President Bolsonarofrom to group individuals all independent the vote has been postponed until May. This vote drastically change theBorder education system of the Customs Patrolfor (CBP) and was US going to be and major landmark LGBTQ+ Brazil. In addition to proposing the changes to therefore did face not immense have the discrimination legal jurisdiction Kenyans, who on the detain migrants. Yet, spokesman the textbooks, Education Ministry has basis ofthese their the sexuality. Many of them arefor barred United Constitutional Patriots from promotions, hired for Jim certain,Benvie jobs, disbanded it’s getting diversity department and and having access to education and health claimed that the detention of these migrants Bolsonaro has previously made comments services. Furthermore, many physical was and rid equivalent to experience “a about verbalwomen’s citizen’s aboutlegal getting of questions harassment, abuse, and incarceration. Activists arrest.” This particular chapter of the United and LGBTQ rights movements from national claim that the vote not only has a wide influence Constitutional Patriots these has been stationed near exams. For Bolsonaro, drastic changes to on Kenya, but other African countries as well. Gay the border for two months, but there are many the education are reasonable responses sex illegalwho insystem most countries, but the of itsis kind have African been doing this work for to the low ranking of Brazilian educational issue has recently been brought to attention in years. According to this particular group, their systems by theAngola, OECD. He claimsgaythatsex “Onewas of places like where purpose is to support the CBP and they plan on decriminalized January, and Botswana, the goals to getback Brazilinout of the worst positions remaining in the area until President Trump’s where the matter will be voted on inisMarch. The in international combat border wall is education built. The rankings governor, tothe New opposition to repealing the law comes primarily the Marxist that hasCivil spread in Mexico chapterrubbish of the American Liberties from religious groups, such as the Kenyan educational institutions ” Many ofallBolsonaro’s Union (ACLU) and the .Forum, CBP have expressed Christian Professionals who claim that reforms are anrecent attack events. on the legacy of Paulo concern over The governor’s same-sex relationships are examples of damaging Freire aperversion prominent late Brazilian socialist who office overtlyand condemned sexual, has that therethe is aincident, history believed in equal education supported by the saying "That migrant families might be menaced within Kenyan culture of excluding homosexuality. federal government. to the immense or threatened in any Due way, shape form is Advocates for repealing the laws sayorthe exact completely unacceptable." , and of ensuring that backlash Bolsonaro’s plans to opposite: received that a by history accepting homosexuality has been prevalent in Kenyan authorities will investigate and allocate change textbooks, officials claimed that the culture.had Advocates for the lawIn point the to punishment where developed necessary. addition, plans been byalso a previous Kenya’s landmark 2 010 constitution , which is ACLU admits that while these groups have the administration and were accidentally published. revered for being progressive. According to these constitutional to aorganize, theydrastic are However, thereright is still threat of advocates, it would be hypocritical for the Kenyan concerned the rhetoric the changes towith the how education system.from Current government tohas claim to ensurethese the groups rights ofwho its White House empowered Education Minister Ricardo Velez strongly citizens the constitution while still supporting are bothin armed and untrained. Furthermore, stands with Bolsonaro and has vowed to fight laws that clearly discriminate against a of the CBP claims that while they haveportion been in back theseagainst citizens.“gender ideology.” contact with the United Constitutional Patriots, they do not work with them or condone what they have done.
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Headlines of the Month Equal Rights Amendment Failed to Pass in Virginia
This month, Virginian state government had Early this the month, three historically Black the opportunity to become the needed 38th churches in Louisiana were burned down over state to ratify the Equal Rights Organizers and participants of Amendment Malaysia’s the course of ten days . The culprit, Holden (ERA); a piece of legislation, o riginating in 1923 , International Women’s Day march have been Matthews, 21, has been c harged with arson and that states “Equality of rights under the law targeted be by denied the agovernment extremist with committing hate crime , and aby charge that shall not or abridged the United conservative The march, which was States or by groups. any state on of sex.” The authorities were hesitant account to confirm. The held first ERA was 9th, passed by Congress in Port 1972, and but on March was attended by hundreds Church, St. Mary Baptist Church in Barre, required the approval 38demands: states by 1982 to focused on down five central to end was burned on of March 26, followed by become official. By 1982 only 35 states had violence Union based Baptist on gender sexual Greater Church and Mount given their approval. Despite the fact that the orientation, end child ensure a Pleasant Church in marriages, Opelousas. for M deadline Baptist is expired, many advocates atthews the ERA woman's freedom to to choices over her was arrested about make weeks after the have initiated efforts two extend or eradicate deadline so that upon the a approval of a 38th own body Evidence and life, ensure dignified minimum incident. found against Matthews state, ERA could still have the of potential to included videos and photos on his phone of the wage, the and ensure the destruction patriarchy. become a national law. Illinois and Nevada have church burnings, records to the Since allies and phone members of traced the LGBTQ both approved the amendment since the 1982 locations the fires, anti‑Baptist community demonstrated their support for one the deadline, ofleaving the and country with messages only posted onto his Facebook page. Matthews is march, anti‑LGBTQ amendment. groups criticized and state left to ratify the During the currently being held 46‑day in prison, out of many concern state government’s General Assembly attacked the march online, stripping of session, Virginia given the opportunity to that might commit crime until his their he privacy was and another threatening them. be that final state . Efforts to get the amendment case goes to five court in after September. The itthree Furthermore, days the march, was passed in Virginia have failed before, but churches that had an were immense announced that he the targeted seven organizers to this be advocates were more hopeful of its success community value and were all over 100 years year this with the the party probed by year the police for aDemocrats, potential violation of old. had Many worshippers the linked arms and prayed that demonstrated most support for the the Peaceful Assembly Act and the Sedition Act. as the churches went the down in flames. amendment, almost having majority House The organizer’s responded to the of Delegates. The ERA passed in the Senate, but Matthews’ act of targeting predominantly Black announcement that they were willing to comply was voted the House subcommittee. churches is against part of ina larger American history of with probe, are but critical felt as of though it was being Many the activists the fact that the terrorism against Black spaces of worship . amendment not them seen due by ato full committee unfairly used was against their cause. In However, many activists have called attention to and suggest that if the amendment had fact, the organizers explicitly followed the been rules this incident have raised money to support allowed this and provision, it might have been set out by the Peaceful Assembly Act by efforts to rebuild these historic churches. passed. Although Virginia did not become the notifying officials days before the march. In the ten ERA, North Carolina will be state to save undergoing a similar process which addition, the Sedition Act is ina March vague in piece of the ERA will be once again considered that has historically been used for to legislation ratification.
prohibit any criticism of the government.
A Record Number of 6 Women are Running for President
The 2020 presidential election has more Friday, March 22nd, Selene Saavedra Roman, Ina women running in 12, it than ever before. On Friday, April transgender woman flight attendant and have Deferred for previous years, there been n oAction more than Muhlaysia Booker was brutally beaten by a large two women running in the primaries at the Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient from Peru, group of people after a minor traffic election, accident same time. In the 2020 presidential was r eleased from an immigration detention outside of the Crest apartment in however, six Royal women have already complex declared center after 6 weeks detained was their candidacy. of The candidates include Dallas, Texas. A video being of the incident . She depicts scheduled to fly to Mexico by her airline, Mesa Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Booker surrounded by a large group ofWarren, people, California Senator Harris, airlines, early last Kamala February, but to shirt the some shouting following a man in a due Minnesota white Senator Amy Klobuchar, New York Senator unstable of and the kick DACA program had starting tonature punch her to the she ground. Kirsten Gillibrand, Hawaiian Congresswoman to ask the company if in she would be let back after into Several others joined the assault Tulsi Gabbard, and author shortly Marianne the United States. Unfortunately, the airline and the video ends with three women helping Williamson. All of these women are running mistakenly bher that Booker would be to as Democrats, ut feet. their she platforms are able vastly Booker up told to her suffered many different. For instance, one a broken of Senator reenter the United States without a problem, facial injuries, a concussion, and wrist Klobuchar’s main focuses of her campaign is on her right arm. As of now, only one man, unaware of the fact that under the Trump combating the opioid crisis, while Senator Edward Thomas the man in the cannot white shirt who Administration D, ACA return to Harris is known for recipients her focus on civil rights allegedly assault, has been arrested the States the after traveling abroad . Not and United her initiated legislation for middle‑class tax‑cuts. and held at the Dallas County jail. As of Not isonly will the Roman 2020 be historical only is being Saavedra elections a DACA recipient, but for the mere number of women he running for now, people are still unsure of what has been she was recently approved by Citizenship and office, but for the opportunity for women to charged for and whether or not police card will Immigration Services to apply for the a green be considered and supported for their values attempt to arrest the other people found in the since she is married to simply an American citizen. and arguments, and not because they video. In addition, act will potentially be Nonetheless, it took the a month a doubt half of that her are female candidates. There and is no labeled a David crime, candidates despite the fact this surge hate of female running the for husband, Watkins, her lawyer, and that gender identity encouraged is not considered in Texas’ hate president was by and ato part of Association of Flight Attendants‑CWA finally the wave of women who were elected to crime law. Booker made her first public get her out of the detention center. According congress this past year in20 the appearance Saturday, April at midterm a press to her husband, Saavedra Roman struggled with elections, deemed thanked to be “The conference inin what which some she repeatedly her anxiety and depression while being inside the Year of the Woman.” supporters and her “transgender family.” She detention center, unsure when she would be also began her speech by saying that she was able to leave. As of now, there are around grateful that she was well enough to speak to 700,000 individuals protected by DACA status, everyone due to the fact that many other but the program no longer accepting any new transgender hate is crimes result in the death of applicants. the victim.
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Happy Women’s Month! Enjoy this month’s picks of inspirational Maya Angelou was born on April 4th, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri. This women to honor and Michelle cherish during Month. This month Obama’s Women’s latest book, Becoming month (her birthday month) we’ll honor her life and work.(2018), is her we’ve got short stories! autobiographical memoir. The book sold approximately 725,000 copies in the United States on the first day, making it the second -Mayannah Beauvoir, Content creator for the Bella Bulletin best- selling debut of all books sold in 2018. The book reached 1.4 million copies in the first week, and in about two weeks,
Maya Angelou was an African American poet, singer, memoirist and civil rights activist. She has authored plays, movies and television shows in addition to poetry books and several autobiographies. Her first autobiography, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” details her upbringing in the south up to being a teenager. This book brought her critical acclaim and international praise for her writing and experiences.
Wild: From Lost to Found by Cheryl Strayed is a memoir that tracks her solo
Her full name wasalong Marguerite Annie Johnson. olderStrayed brotherhiked nicknamed Mya. hike the Pacific Crest Trail. Her In 1995, 1,100 her miles from became the best-sold book of the year in 2018. This When her parents separated, she was sent to live in Stamps, Arkansas. She lived with the Mojave Desert, through California and Oregon all the way to the Bridge her paternalofgrandmother, who owned a general store and did well economically the Gods inbook Washington. record-breaking is taking world by storm, captivating though it was the Great Depression. Angelouthe briefly lived with her mother. She was a sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend. After this experience she became mute for nearly five years. She moved The journey begins with Strayed expressing her disillusionment with the wide scholars, and critics. In Baecoming , Michelle Obama story of again tovariety Oakland of withreaders, her mother and her brother. He attended labor school and became the firsttells cable the car conductor death of her mother from lung cancer. She was very distant from the in San Francisco.
remainder of her her family, her as father, brother,meeting and sister.her Herhusband, downward her life growing up on the south side of Chicago, time a lawyer,
spiral She had was a huge impact herworker, marriage to her husband. divorceda She had many professions in her young adulthood. a fry cook,on a sex a nightclub dancer The and two performer, and she began using opioids. In order to change her life, and endalso her Barack Obama well as and herBess experience being ofa the mother. takesLeadership readersConference. into her She life and cast member of the as opera Porgy , a nd a coordinator SouthernShe Christian suffering, she decided to partake on this trail, alone, with zero hiking worked as a journalist in Ghana.
the experiences that wholead she is. She shares theandhighlights of motivated her life as as experience. Wild shows thehave storiesmade of her her life that to her downward spiral the ones that herwell to keep Angelou’s work is held She in high because awakenings of the groundbreaking nature herasmemoir This shifted the way going on her journey. hadesteem many spiritual on the journey as of well physicalwriting. and mental challenges. The the disappointments. From a wise perspective, Michelle inspires readers toinbe African discussed their personal lives. It also helped black feminist writings the the book is aAmerican New Yorkwomen Times publicly Bestseller and is included in Oprah’s Book Club. It Obama wasincrease published in 2012. 1970s.
authors of their own truths, their own stories and overcome the odds.
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Feminist Five girl, noyou matter butterfly, where she lives, deserves theor “Nobody will from su ering. You can't crytheitchanges away “We“Every delight inprotect the beauty of theyour but rarely admit eat opportunity it away or starve it awaydevelop or walk itthe away or punch it away or even to promise inside of ittherapy has gone through to achieve that beauty.”maya ANgelou it away. It's just there, and you have to survive it. You have to her.”it.-Michelle endure You have toObama live through it and love it and move on and be better for it and run as far as you can in the direction of your best and happiest dreams across the bridge that was built by your own desire to heal.”-Cheryl Strayed
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, the first Black First Lady of the United States ofI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings America, was born on January 17th, 1964. She is married to Barack was written in 1969 by writer and Obama, the 44th president of the United States. Michelle grew up on the South poet Maya Angelou. This is the first book in an seven part volume Side of Chicago, Illinois. Her mother was a housewife and her father was a city water plant employee. The family lived in the South Shore community area, series. It is a coming of age story that uncovers Angelou’s character, which she rented from her great aunt. She attended Princeton University, childhood trauma and experiences with racism. The book begins when following her brother to the same school and graduated cum laude in 1985. She Strayed is her an teachers American writer, and to podcast host. She Angelou is very young and leaves St Louis to live with her grandparents recalls inCheryl her memoir that advised her novelist to not apply an Ivy League was born in Spangler, Pennsylvania in 1968. She later moved to school for fear of setting expectations that were too high. Upon attending Princeton she explained that it was in Stamps, Arkansas at the age of three. The story follows her sexual Minnesota, where her parents divorced. She lived in a home that her the first time that she was aware of her race. family built, themselves, which did not have electricity, or plumbing assault, depression and inferiority complex growing up. It evolves to show her upbringing into a young woman, Post graduation, she earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School with more confidence. She later worked until she moved away for college. at the law firm, Sidley and Austin, where who learns how to speak up for herself and combat racism. It highlights themes of identity, rape, racism and she met Barack Obama. Michelle also worked as an assistant to the Chicago mayor in 1991. Obama gained important position 1996 as executive director of acommunity She an graduated from the in University of Minnesota with BA in English literacy. affairs at the University of Chicago Hospitals. She worked there 2008 when the lung primary campaign for was and Women’s Studies. Her until mother died from cancer when she presidency began. a senior in college. She frequently writes about the impact of her Michelle Obama became onemother’s death on her life. of the most prolific celebrities of her time as First Lady of the United The book is the most highly acclaimed of all her autobiographies. It became a bestseller, immediately after States. She played an exceptionally active role in issues and campaigns that mattered to her. Some of the major In addition women’s to her memoir, Wild, and aand few novels, Strayed has being published. The book catapulted her to fame and has never been out of frame. It has also ushered in an issues that she countered were homelessness, rights, LGBT rights, health of children. She also published work in The Washington Post , T he New York Times , Vogue, Tin House , and several other papers garnered a successful public image in popular culture, for her fashion statements, discipline and presence. Her and era of black women publishing autobiography in a shameless manner. Today, it is still a prominent book in high magazines. She also contributed to a popular advice column in The Rumpus, known as “Dear Sugar”. She has latest venture post‑presidency has been the release of her memoir Becoming , in 2018.
also co‑hosted the Dear Sugars podcast for four years. She considers herself a feminist activist. school classrooms and college classes.
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THIS Month at BALI
Looking for Enrichment Opportunities? American Museum of Natural History various teen programs run through the American Museum of
Black Natural Girls Code Historyoffers programming and events in coding for African American girls. Black Girls Code offers and eventsand in coding for African American girls. Brotherhood/Sister Sol programming offers afterschool summer programming in relationshipbuilding, self/global awareness, social justice, leadership development, and more. Some of Brotherhood/Sister Sol offers afterschool and summer programing in relationship-building, self/global their programs are gender-specific. awareness, social justice, leadership development, and more. Some of their programs are gender-specific.
ChickTech offers programming and mentorship in STEM for high school girls. ChickTech offers programming and mentorship in STEM for high school girls.
Curious Jane offers classes and summer programming in science, theatre, arts and crafts, and more for girls. Columbia University pre-college programs for high school students run through Columbia University. DigitalCurious Girl, Inc. at high to provideinprogramming andand offers Jane works offers classes and schools summer programming science, theatre, in artsSTEM and crafts, moretech for workshops girls. for the community. Girl,works Inc. works at highschools schools totoprovide STEM andrace, offers and tech workshops for Girl BeDigital Heard in high teachprogramming girls aboutingender, class through theand community. theatre, offers workshops and performances. Generation encourages civic engagement in youthand through an action civics class. Girl Vow offers Citizen education, mentorship, advocacy, life skills training for girls. Girl Be Heard works in high schools to teach girls about gender, race, and class through theatre, and
Girls for Gender Equity offers programming in community advocacy, leadership, and social offers workshops and performances. justice for girls. Girl Vow offers education, mentorship, advocacy, and life skills training for girls.
Girls Inc. offers programming in statistical analysis, economic literacy, leadership and community STEM,offers media literacy,inathletics, education, Girls foraction, Gender Equity programming community sexual advocacy,health leadership, and socialsubstance justice for abuse prevention, girls. self-defense, and more for girls ages 6-18. Girls Inc. offersoffers programming analysis, economic literacy, and community action,day Girls Leadership Parentin&statistical Daughter workshops, parentleadership education, and summer media literacy, athletics, campsSTEM, for girls entering gradessexual 4 andhealth 5. education, substance abuse prevention, self-defense, and more for girls ages 6-18.
Girls on the Run offers a physical activity based youth development program for girls in gradesGirls 3-8.Leadership offers Parent & Daughter workshops, parent education, and summer day camps for girls entering grades 4 and 5.
Girls Who Code offers afterschool and summer programming in coding for middle and high Girls on the Run offers a physical activity based youth development program for girls in grades 3-8. school girls. Girls Who Code offers afterschool and summer programming in coding for middle and high school girls.
Girls Write Now offers mentoring programs in writing, digital media, and college preparation for girls. Girls Write Now offers mentoring programs in writing, digital media, and college preparation for girls.
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Click on program names For More Info! GOALS for Girls offers year‑round programming, a summer intensive, weekend forums, and internships in STEM for middle and high school girls. LOVE Mentoring works at high schools to deliver small‑group mentoring for young Latinas. Life is Precious offers individual and groups counseling, arts therapy, academic support, and nutritional and fitness activities to prevent suicide among young Latinas. Lower Eastside Girls Club provides programming in STEM, business, art, leadership, and advocacy, as well as mentoring for girls in grades 6‑12. Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep Program a preparatory program for students between junior high and college who wish to pursue careers in the medical field. The NERA MedPrep program has partnerships with five medical institutions including the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. NYC GREAT! offers programming and mentoring in college and career readiness for high school girls. NYU GSTEM is a six‑week summer program for high school girls during the summer between their junior and senior years who have high aptitude in STEM subjects. Powerplay NYC works in elementary, middle, and high schools to offer after‑school programming in physical activity and healthy living. Soul Sisters Leadership Collective works in schools to offer workshops to explore issues faced by young women of color. Summer Health Professions Education Program a free summer enrichment program for college students pursuing health professions. The Whitney Museum of Art arts programs and events for teens at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Vibe Theatre Experience offers theatre and media programming for girls ages 13‑19. Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls offers after‑school and summer music programming for girls. Young Women's Christian Association an organization that informs women on societal issues that affect them and encourages them to vote
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The Bella Bulletin Staff Staff Gisselle Rodriguez Benitez Wilma Abam-DePass Co-Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief School: Northeastern Croton Harmon High School School: University Grade: 12th Major: Economics BALI Class BALI Class of of:2017 2016 Email: wilma@depass.com Email: gisselle@abzuginstitute.org
Zoe Abam-Depass Donovan Wilma Co-Editor-in-Chief Section Editor
School: Bard High School Early College Queens School: Croton High School Grade: 12th Grade: 11th BALI Class of 2017 BALI Class of: 2017 Email: zoezoedonovan@gmail.com
Sofia Baluyut Zoe Donovan Content SectionCreator Editor
School: Bard Early College Queens School: Bard High EarlySchool College Grade: 12th Grade: 11th BALI Class BALI Class of of:2018 2017
Mayannah Beauvoir Adriana Rodriguez Content Creator Section Editor
School: Temple University School: Brown University Majors: Africana Studies/English/Gender/Sexuality Major: Political Science Minor: Women’s Studies BALI of: 2016 Intern Class for BALI Class of 2018 15
for inquiries and suggestions, email contact@abzuginstitute.org for inquiries and suggestions, email gisselle@abzuginstitute.org
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BALI Staff
Liz Abzug
Oriela Baliaj
Gabriela Valette
Founder & Executive Director
Senior Program Associate
Program Coordinator
Munira Choudhury Program Assistant
Neonne Ameer Program Intern
BALI Board of Directors Liz J. Abzug, Founder/Executive Director Erica Forman, Board-Chair Meg Holzer, Secretary Cynthia McKnight, Treasurer Erica Forman, Chair Eija Ayravainen Gloria Steinem Joanne Davila Maya Catherine Popa Kai Gilchrist
Betsy Scheinbart-Norton Harold Holzer Jonathan Greenberg Judy Lerner Melissa Noonan-Mazzei
Jerry Goldfeder A.J. Lederman Kylie Reiffert Liz Cooper
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