The Bella Bulletin JUNE 2019
Happy birthday to… Actress, Meryl Streep
Op-Ed on, “Claudia Rankine” Content Creator, Sofia Baluyut talks about author, Claudia Rankine and her work with feminism and intersectionality.
FOLLOW US @ABZUGINSTITUTE
Table of Contents This Month in Women’s History ……....……….3 ACTIVISM THROUGH ART………………….…….……4 Featured Headlines of the Month …….....….….5 FEMINIST FIVE………………………………..…..……6 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO..……………………….…........…8 Looking for Enrichment Opportunities...……9 The Bella Bulletin Staff…..…………..…..…......11 BALI STAFF & Board of Directors……….……....12
Women’s History of the month:
June
3
Activism Through Art The Supreme logo, comes with itsup,blocky white Asnow Pride Month Iis inseparable feel it beis By IPride hope we know that gender original protests andvisage movements--are Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet. These Lately, Frida Kahlo’s iconic seems toare text over a bright red background, has important to acknowledge the key in from race; that “intersectionality” well as the words, among others, that Audre Lorde everywhere! You can see images ofasfigures her face some of the most at-risk people in the become well-known to people of younger “feminism” itself are just frameworks that only the Stonewall Riots, the original events that popping up often on tote bags on the subway, (1934-1992) used to herself. LGBTQ+ community. So be describe skeptical when count if you 50 act The uyears pon the words and values that you occurred ago to spark why we generations. company itself has buttons the Caribbean-American Strand, countless Instagram Lorde, a from famous feminist you see corporations decorating their hold (credit to Ericka Hart for this understanding ). celebrate Pride in June to would this posts, andsomewhat even NYC street art.day! But truly who grew up Harlem, holdto many become with storefronts with rainbow flags and selling This means that ifinyou are asynonymous white woman, yes, your honor this who centered jobs--as an essayist, ais anwomanhood, activist, a consumerism. But though the company has experience isartist influenced bypoet, the money oppressions that rainbow gear. Where that going? radical politics, and her personal struggles in her novelist, and a professor at also institutions come with womanhood, but you havenot the reached widespread fame, we may Do they support LGBTQ+ year-round, work, should learn morefolks about her history distinctweand constant privilege of whiteness. If this including Hunter College--always existing in all or only inyou, June, when it might turn them know the 74-year-old feminist anda and her to art. applies what are you doing to acknowledge of those identities. profit? anti-capitalist artist whose that power and redistribute it? work inspired the design.
Withvitally, this in mind, for thisand month’s art as activism And talk about support the BlackI would like to honor the work of Claudia Rankine, trans women who continue to be affected particularly her 2014 book Citizen: An American by racism, sexism, and transphobia and are Lyric . murdered at disturbingly high rates. I want to take time and space to honor Dana Martin, Kruger AshantiwasCarmon, Barbara born in Claire Newark,Legato, New Muhlaysia Booker, and Michelle “Tamika” Jersey in 1945, and eventually went to Now, Lorde isallperhaps best forwho her Washington, Black transknown women school at born Syracuse University and Parsons Frida was in 1907 in C oyoacán, Mexico. At writing and published work. This included works have been killed in 2019. But beyond just School of Design before being hired, and by 18, she was seriously hurt a bus accident, such as her poetry in T he Black Unicorn her speaking about them and honoring them, I would continue to be affected by entitled those injuries Conde Nast. Within these institutions “biomythography” about life Zand ami: would like to share twoher posts by educator forNew the rest ofestablishment her Her recovery, however, is A Spelling of life. My Name , published journals her eventual in the art world, Ericka responded RankineHart, was born in Kingston, Jamaica in 1963, and what led her towho painting. Later, atto 22,Muhlaysia she began from her time dealing with illness called T he Kruger that her childhood experiences studiedsays at Williams College and Columbia University. Booker’s murder and discourse around her relationship with Diego Riveraof and Cancer Journals, and a collection hertraveled essays She isfamily now a poet, author, essayist, professor, and and circumstance continued to abortion, and shares someTheir of the ways in to support his artistic career. relationship inmore. Sister Outsider. A lthough some of these Rankine has been awarded with fellowships influence her perspective. Not growing up which cis people are complicit in and can was including a yearlong divorce from fraught, the Foundation, the Guggenheim works areMacArthur technically prose, Lorde’s poetic followed by their remarriage, and upper class, s he says , means that she is take action against transphobia. I would Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, leanings come through in the richnessmany and extramarital affairs for both (Frida engaged the Academy of American Poets, and the Lannan also like to thisand video, which speaks “from a ofdifferent class than most of myin honesty hershare language emotion. Foundation . One of her works entitled C itizen , a affairs with both men and women). about material ways folks In the the early morning of Junethat 28th, 1969,can the colleagues [....] I'm sensitized to issues of book of poetry and poetic essays, is “the only poetry Lorde was integral toDepartment discussions ofraided feminism support the Black trans community, as New York Police race and difference.” book ” to be areflected New York bestseller in the the Her art often theTimes painful relationships and womanism in the 1960s-1980s, particularly opposed tocategory,” performative hopeto and allyship. Stonewall Inn, barand known serve queer nonfiction won accolades she had with her aown body andmany with Diego. In in the ways she celebrated Black and queer including the N ational Book Critics Circle Award in Iher urge you to click these links, sit with these patrons. particular, the Mafia-run bar paintingIn The Broken Column , she depicts womanhood, and brought the flaws in the Poetry. ideas, and ways ,ashe you can was special because itthe provided place for physical pain; consider in Henry Ford Hospital paints white feminist movement to light. In her essay support LGBTQ+ folks, particularly those of folks her who might have left outFollowing of other about experience of been miscarriage. Citizen, Rankine a narrative that “Within Age, Race, Class, Sex:creates Women Redefining color, inspaces your everyday life. her divorce with Diego, painted Self Portrait queer in Newshe York City. Stonewall illustrates her experiences Black woman in a Difference ,” published inbeing the acollection Sister with Cropped Hair , where where she represents an racist American context. The drag topics range, starting provided a place queens, trans Outsider, Lorde critiques the ways that white androgynous version of herself in reaction to with the everyday ways that she is faced with A place to start: if you have the means, folks, ignore and the young, lower-class, and/or women multifaceted experience of oppression, and the ways those m icroaggressions her difficult relationship. support the queer M arsha P. Johnson project homeless people could go. , and This all women and thus become racist and can take a toll. In one instance, she talks about research donate towas other inbyyour incident atcar preceded the exclusionary inStonewall their toplaces feminism: “By sitting in most aand with aapproach colleague: “he tells his Perhaps importantly, however, heryou work community that are supporting Black trans raids and closings of other queer bars dean is making him hire a person of color when and large within the women’s movement today, was also Kruger deeply political. Frida herself was mixed-race, Though supported as an there are so many great writers out there [...] raid you women. Remember, during Pride month, throughout the city, but this police white women focus upon their oppression as and made sure to particularly represent artist and educator for someprotested after her fear the night is abeing locked intime andrace, coded on a that Pride was riot that police women and ignore differences of sexual ended up sparking a riot/uprising amongst indigenous in time her to art.function This interest in cellular levelculture and want as a power job at Conde Nast, her art really took off preference, class, and age. There is a pretense brutality and unfair treatment of LGBTQ+ patrons of the bar and bystanders who and centering indigenous made her a wash.” Rankineofoften makes culture use of the pronoun to a homogeneity ofpolice experience covered by the were tired ofpoetry, the interference. For six people and community, and was a part of in theher Mexicanidad movement. She often “you” immediately implicating the word s isterhood that does not in fact exist.” Inin days, in thousands people rioted movement by trans women color. reader herled stories. Theof word allowsof you to identify
after around Village 1980. She began collecting Greenwich inalso protest of withsame it in herself ways thatLorde can be personally affirming (I’m the essay, critiques theunfair ways painted wearing Tehuana traditional found black-and-white imagery, and printed treatment of LGBTQ+ people. not the only one who experiences this!) or can that folks with tomarginalized dress, which calls an indigenousidentities, Zapotec social commentary atop them in blocky challenge you to look at the ways you might culture where women key societal particularly Black, queer,are andgiven women-identified contribute to the oppression sheuprising, describes. Many were involved in the but two lettering. Her background as a graphic roles.are Herexpected iconic painting The Two Fridas can be folk, to educate white/privileged peopleabout inforparticular out. First, there interpreted, inatheir part, as astood discussion of herher mixed people struggles and oppressions. designer magazine helped lead to Rankine also often brings the physical body into her heritage; isthat shown hands with was Marsha P. Johnson, andynamic activist, Black She writes that such apithy allows this attention-grabbing, style; the poetry: theshe way racist holding exchanges create pain herself, where one version of herself is in “oppressors [to] maintain their position and drag queen, and sex worker who grew up in not only in the mind but also in the body. She speaks black, white, and red colors appear stark European dress, and theto other in traditional of sighing and of aching, and the ways that these evade responsibility for their own actions.” New Jersey and moved New York City can as and clear, while her ayou mbiguous pronoun Tehuana wear. She also h onored a connection be daily experiences once understand the racist Lorde ultimately advocated for a recognition a teen. There was also Sylvia Rivera, a Latinx use directly engages the reader. (Where context that your was born from. She with nature paintings like and and acceptance ofexperience the difference ofRoots peoples’ activist, dragthrough queen, and sex worker who writes in particular, “the world is wrong. You can’t Self Portrait with Monkey . Frida also held might you rather stand, for instance, in the experience, a rejection (othering) or was in thethan Bronx. were key put theborn past behind you. [...] It’sBoth turned your flesh Communist beliefs throughout her lifetime, ignoring of them. phrasing gaze and hits“every the day sideas of my figures in“your the Stonewall uprising, well as into its own cupboard” your mouth attending protests, supporting workers, and face?”) Kruger also strove to make her art opens resistance; and receives the kiss theand world offers, which later Johnson Rivera were critiquing the lives capitalistic U.S. these Self-portrait on Lorde’s onyou through ideas and seals youlegacy shut are group feeling sick to Gay your accessible by though literally placing it in involved in the activist thepublic the Borderline Between Mexico and the United her writings, as in some organizations. stomach aboutas thewell beginning of the feeling that was Liberation Front (GLF). Together, they also spaces: art has been on buses , the sides States isher one such painting where her love of an bornAfrom understanding.” The udre Lorde Project , for example, is named independent, pre-colonial Mexico is clearly founded the Street Transvestite Action of buildings , skate and more.organizing after her, and worksparks as a,community contrasted withspecific her(STAR) negative experiences ofplay. the She also brings people and events into Revolutionaries in 1970,“Lesbian, which center based in Brooklyn that serves United States. Rankine dedicates one of her sections to tennis advocated young transgender people, Gay, Bisexual, Two-Spirit, Transpieces and Gender Non One her for most famous playerofSerena Williams, describing the was ways an that and rented out a tenement at 213 East Conforming (LGBTSTGNC) People of Color image of faced a white woman split in half, one Williams racism and sexism from umpires, Second Street where theyandoffered a Rankine place Communities.” fellow players, coverage, daily life. half where thenews colors are inverted, with the for to Katrina, stay and eat. Rivera writestrans aboutyouth Hurricane andso names Black This article is a quick overview, here are words “ your body is a battleground.” This victims of police violence like Mark Duggan and would go on to fight for gay rights more starting places to link learn and everyday honor was Kruger’s art piece for the 1989 Rodney King, drawing a clear between legislationand and inclusionstories, within the Marsha as LGBTQ+ well as interactions March and Sylvia’s the larger manifestations of racism Women’s on Washington, and it community. Both struggled at the margins LGBTQ+ history in through individual andgeneral: state-sanctioned violence. reflects sentiments while even ofher the pro-choice “Gay” Liberation movements, however, because they didovernot fit calling cis women action their ● NYC Trans to Oral History Project: Rankine’s work in C itizen thus shows a way that respectability politics in many ways. They reproductive rights. Of course, there is so much more to learn and http://oralhistory.nypl.org/neighbor conversations about race and gender can be held
were about not middle class,It not white, and honor Frida Kahlo. is important that did she through hoods/trans-history art. Her perspectives are personal, political, inhabit a binary gender identity, and so isnot not whitewashed and that the legacy of her and ●intense in a was way published that she isasable to as convey @lgbt_history: Though her work many fifty beliefs live on just as much as her image. were pushed aside by c isgender , white, through https://www.instagram.com/lgbt_hi the particular beauty and skill in her poetry. years ago, words and still Though sheLorde’s would be experience claimed middle-class gay andlater lesbian membersas ofa ring true to this day and offer much to learn story figurehead for different feminist movements, their community. from. Although this is just small sampling of ● was Twomore Overviews of aStonewall there to her work and her life than her voice and thought, and it is difficult if not P. Johnson can ●be Marsha revealed in theseObituary one-dimensional So now, consider that the work rights theyafought reductionist distill into single ● Sylviato Rivera telling the story of understandings of her.her To continue thinking for are not yet fully won. “Pride” has been takeaway, one of Lorde’s important messages is about Frida and and hertrans legacy, there is an Stonewall vs gay activism commodified and used to pretend that all to recognize the complexity and totality of exhibition of herof Sylvia artworkRivera at the Brooklyn ● A profile LGBTQ+ rights won,February but consider that differences withinare others’ experience. (In other Museum running from 8–May 12, words, recognizing what would later be there and isshestill a long way toTgo in terms of 2019, Tiseen Vogue and he Independent termed “intersectionality” by scholar Kimberlé ensuring that queer folks are physically, offer articles that can serve as starting points to Crenshaw.) all, asbetween Lorde recognized inand her discuss theAfter contrast Frida’s emotionally, and culturally safe image 1982 speech “ L earning From the ‘60s , ” “There being commodified and the actual politics she supported in all spaces. Consider that policeis -no such thing asParis a kill single-issue struggle stood for. An article in the Review read aboutbecause Rankine still profile and folks to with marginalized we do not live single-issue lives.” and C itizen i n her own words: identities, especially Black people. Consider, https://www.theparisreview.org/interviews/6905/cl
too, that trans women of color--the same people we must thank for leading the
4
Headlines of the Month Representative Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Markey Introduce Green New Deal
On Monday night, June 17th, president Trump posted on his twitter feed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be conducting On 15th raids during prayers, two majorMarch deportation in 10Friday major cities, including Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Tuesday, April 2nd, L ori Lightfoot made history On Friday, May 25, United Kingdom Prime New York, inSanChristchurch, Francisco, and Chicago. The faced raids mosques New Zealand Senator Edward J May Markey have recently specifically targeted undocumented immigrants who by becoming the first female, gay, and Black mass shootings . Shooter Brenton Tarrant first Minister Theresa resigned after yet were already requested to goresolution, into adeportation introduced a congressional Called Mayor of Chicago. Lightfoot was first-time targeted Masjid Al Noor, killing 42 worshippers, another attempt at compromising on a proceedings have already been inlimiting court. the Green Deal aimed at candidate inandNew a who race of long-time established and then moved on to Linwood Masjid, killing 7. Nonetheless, many of these undocumented Withdrawal Agreement for “Brexit”, the greenhouse gas emissions and making other Chicago politicians including former Cook Tarrant supposedly used several firearms that immigrants are families that will face separation if significant changes inUnited the United States in House order County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, of the from the theseparation raids do take place. According White were legally purchased (butKingdom aretosuspected to to combat climate change. The resolution former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, officials, the plans to initiate ICE raids had been in European Union (EU), was rejected by have been enhanced), and there were proposes a “10-year mobilization” a “Green state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, former the works for a few month, but Trump’sorand tweet about explosives attached to Withdrawal multiple vehicles at the Parliament. May’s Agreement New mobilization” that involves the process brought the operation to thePresident forefront. City HallDeal operator and school board sites of the attacks. .backlash Authorities have reported hasChico. been rejected by However, due to Democrats, completely transitioning tofrom thetimes use of Gery However, an FBI three investigation of the that there is clear Tarrant would have immigrant rights activists, the mayors of the affected renewable andover zero-emission energy sources, longest-serving alderman in Chicago’s history, Parliament the past few years. The cities, and hesitation from some of Trump’s allies in continued to attack mosques had heincumbent not been upgrading all buildings in the United States to Edward Burke, exposed the 50-year most recent rejection being on March 29th, the White House, Trump later announced that the caught. Tarrantextortion. also live streamed thebecame attack ona power-efficient buildings, eliminating pollution of attempted The scandal raids would be the postponed for 2 weeks ,leave until the day that UK was supposed to Facebook andLightfoot left a due 74-page and greenhouse emission big break for to theanti-immigrant factfrom that allthe of Congress can “work outgas a solution.”
manifesto. who’s Australian, the EU.long-term As aTarrant, result, the separation date was manufacturing industry, the were transportation the other candidates connected supposedly came toagricultural Christchurch for the final sole industry, industry, and to Burke. and In thethe end, the race came down to pushed back until October 31st. May’s creating new, jobsboth clean energy purpose other people training and Lightfoot and Preckwinkle, essentially attemptfor at high-paying compromising onin the deal was industries. for The proposal works advocating for this the attack. samealso issues, liketowards more preparing Four people were an offerhousing, to hold police a second referendum as eliminating inequalities climate change, affordable reform, arrested and suspectedaround of department having connections long as the bill was However, since demands that allpassed. people inonly theone United and bringing more cityis the resources into to the incident, but Tarrant who States have clean air and water, climate and impoverished neighborhoods. But Lightfoot wascharged a clearwith attempt at gaining support hasthis been murder. With the whole community resiliency, food, access presented herself as a healthy needed change for the country reeling from thismembers rare instance of from the Labour Party, of May’sto nature, and a sustainable environment. city government and argued against the All over social media people are talking about the immense gun the violence, New Party, Zealandstrongly Prime own Party, Conservative Ocasio-Cortez andthat’s Markey have introduced this aldermanic privileges that allowed for Edward counterrevolution currently in Minister Jacinda Ardern has alreadyhappening taken steps Sudan. The violence is aGreenhouse result of against opposed it and called fora revolution her toemissions resign. resolution because Burke’s actions. Lightfoot was agas trailblazer in to change Newpresident Zealand’s gunHassan laws. Aal-Bashir, rdern hasa Sudan’s Omar areFurthermore, theformer cause ofways some of the worst this election in more than one. Despite the members of May’s cabinet assured that, starting there will be an militaristic dictator whomid-April, hadchange. beenopponents serving for 30 consequences of climate According to fact that her well-established had were strongly opposed to the bill, and onein years. In ban April, protestors nonstop official on assaultdemonstrated rifles. Furthermore, the research that this proposition carbon more than enough funding for theircites, campaigns, the streets ofplanning Khartoum, eventually succeeding in Ardern onStates has establishing ofgrassroots theiscabinet members, Andrea Leadsom, emissions in the United are rose by 3.4%a her campaign was still strong enough making him step down from the presidency. buy-back program inAnd order to on confiscate of quit theand cabinet all together Wednesday, last year, if climate change inallthis to win election. although her identity Protestors then called for an proceeds election and a the newly banned weapons. wasn’t a major part of her campaign, Lightfoot current pattern the world will face extreme civilian-run government, but the military refused. May 22. May will officially resign on June Tensions continued toAfrican-American risethe when the military started is only disasters the third and mayor of natural United States alone 7th,atbut will stay inonoffice until a sthen, uccessor to fire the protestors June 3rd. Since over Chicago, and herof election makes Chicago the will lose billions dollars. According to Senate aUnited hundred civilians been tortured, raped, is chosen . largesthave States’ city to elect an openly gay Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, the injured, or killed by the military. However, protestors mayor. resolution will be brought to the floor for a vote have still not given up. Many organizers are within thetonext weeks. dedicated nightfew marches in Khartoum.
Kenya Postpones Court Decriminalizing Gay Sex
Decision
on
On June 12, Ecuador’s highest court legalized same-sex marriage in a 5-4 vote. Marriage between same-sex couples has been legal in the country since Anti-leftist Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro A group of armed individuals asmore the 2008. However, opposite-sex couplesknown have had This Friday, 22nd, Kenya’s high court was This year, 8 February states have introduced varying and his administration have released plans to United Constitutional Border Ops legal privileges sinceon thedPatriots law was passed over scheduled to rule ecriminalizing gay sexa. take w omen’s and LGBTQ history out of school restrictions on abortion . These new laws detained 300 asylum-seeking migrants near decade ago. But now,have afterclaimed many lawsuits made by However, the judges that more time textbooks . These plans have been one of many have gained lots of attention this past Sunland Park, New Mexico in mid-April. This two couples, Efraín Soria and Javier Benalcázar and is needed to review the evidence, and as a result, moves made by Carlos President Bolsonaro to group of are all independent from Rubén Salazar and Verdesoto, court’s the vote has been pof ostponed until Maythe . new This vote month as aindividuals result the most recent drastically change the education system of the US Customs Border Patrol and decision this month gives same-sex couples the exact was going to be and major landmark for(CBP) LGBTQ+ laws from Alabama and Missouri. Alabama Brazil. In who addition to proposing changes therefore did face not have the discrimination legal jurisdiction to same privileges as opposite-sex ones.the Ecuador is now Kenyans, immense on the Republican Governor Kay Ivey (R-A) s igned detain these migrants. Yet, spokesman for the textbooks, the Ministry has basis their sexuality. Many ofcountries them are barred one ofofthe many LatinEducation American that have Constitutional anUnited abortion law on MayPatriots 14marriage, thatJim made from promotions, getting hired for certain jobs, disbanded it’s diversity department ,Benvie and recently legalized same-sex including and access toof education and health claimed thatany thestage detention of these migrants Brazil,having Argentina, Colombia, and Uruguay. In Bolsonaro has previously made comments abortion at pregnancy illegal services. Furthermore, many experience physical was legal and equivalent to “ a verbal citizen’s addition, the The Inter-American Court of Human about rid offorquestions with nogetting exceptions rape or about incest.women’s The harassment, andthat incarceration. Activists arrest.” This abuse, particular chapter of thesame-sex United RightsLGBTQ issued a ruling recognized and rights movements from national most recent law on abortion was passed innear claim that the vote not only has a wide influence Constitutional Patriotsinthese has stationed marriage in allBolsonaro, countries the been Western Hemisphere. exams. For drastic changes to
on Kenya, African countries asare well. Gay the border forother two months, but many Missouri : abut ban on abortions afterthere 6 weeks, the education system are reasonable responses sex is kind illegalwho in most African countries, but the of its have been doing this work the time around when most doctors can for to thehaslow ranking ofbrought Brazilian educational issue recently been to attention in years. According to this particular group, their systems by theAngola, OECDdespite . He claims thatsex “Onewas of detect heartbeat, the fact that places a like where gay purpose is to support the CBP and they plan on decriminalized back January, and Botswana, the goals to getdo Brazilinout of the worst positions many women remaining in the not areaseek untilabortions Presidentuntil Trump’s where the matter will be voted on inisMarch. The in international education rankings to combat border is built. governor,Similar the New after thiswall point in theThe pregnancy. opposition to repealing the law comes primarily the Marxist rubbish that hasCivil spread in Mexico chapter of thebeen American Liberties “heartbeat laws” have passed in Ohio, 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 Georgia, and Kentucky. The introduction reforms are an attack on the legacy ofofPaulo concern recent are events. Theofgovernor’s same-sex over relationships examples damaging Freire , has aperversion prominent late Brazilian socialist who these has drawn national attention as office overtly condemned the sexuallaws and that there is aincident, history A judge in Pakistan has recently announced that the believed in to equal education by the "That migrant families be menaced ansaying attempt overturn Roe might v.supported Wade, the within Kenyan culture of excluding homosexuality. country will for be adding more than 1,000 new courts federal Due to the immense or threatened in any way, shape form is Advocates repealing the laws sayor the exact court casegovernment. that declared itinvolving unconstitutional to specifically handle cases violence against completely unacceptable." , and of ensuring that backlash Bolsonaro’s plans to opposite: received that a by history accepting for state governments to regulate abortions women. These courts will still be held in already homosexuality has been prevalent in Kenyan authorities will investigate and allocate change textbooks, officials claimed that the existing buildings, but thetheof cases will handled within first trimester a In pregnancy. culture. Advocates for law also point to punishment where necessary. addition, the plans the had been developed by abeprevious separately so that women are able to tell their Kenya’s landmark 2were 010abortion constitution whichthe is ACLU admits while these groups have Lawmakers thatthat support bans,published. have administration and accidentally stories in confidence. Gender-based violence has revered for being progressive. According to these constitutional to aorganize, theydrastic However, thereright is still threat of been encouraged by appointment of are been a problem in Pakistan for a longfortime, with all advocates, itwith would be the hypocritical the Kenyan concerned how the rhetoric from the changes toKavanaugh, the education system. Current judge Brett hoping that if a case government tohas claim to ensure the rights its too frequent of honor killings, acidgroups attacks,of and White Housecases empowered these who Education Minister Ricardo Velez strongly citizens in the constitution while still supporting rape. In 2018, a report ranked Pakistan 148 out about onearmed of their laws goes Furthermore, to the of are both and untrained. stands with Bolsonaro and has vowed to many fight laws that clearly discriminate against a portion of 149 countries on gender disparity. However, the CBP Court, claimsthey that will while they have been in Supreme have the support back against “gender ideology.” these citizens. people are hopeful for whatConstitutional these new courts will do with the United Patriots, tocontact overturn Roe v. Wade andhold change the for women and how they will their attackers they do not work with them or condone what accountable. regulation abortions nationwide. they haveof done.
5
Happy Women’s Month! Enjoy this month’s picks of inspirational MayaKaur Rupi Angelou is anwas Indian-Canadian born on April 4th, poet,1924 illustrator in St. Louis, and Missouri. performer.This She women to honor and Michelle cherish during Month. This (2018), month is her Obama’s Women’s latest book, Becoming month was made(her famous birthday for month) her bestselling we’ll honor poetryher andlifeprose andcollection, work. Milk we’ve got short stories! autobiographical memoir. The book sold approximately 725,000 and Honey. This spent copies over ina year on The Newon York Times Bestseller list. the United States the first day, making it the second For Colored Girls Whocreator Have Considered Suicide whenBulletin the Rainbow is Enuf is -Mayannah Beauvoir, Content for the Bella best-She selling books sold inIndia, 2018. book reached comesdebut from a of Sikhall family in Punjab, andThe to Ntozake Shange’s first piece. It was written in 1976, and isimmigrated a compilation of Canada with her parents when she was four years old. She started 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 is a memoir that tracksthe her solo poetic monologues in what is known as aStrayed choreopoem. It articulates
drawing when was five years which beganhiked her artistic journey. Her full name wasalong Marguerite Annie Johnson. Her older brother nicknamed Mya. hike theshe Pacific Crest Trail.old, In 1995, Strayed 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 Inofcollege, at thewho University of Waterloo, studied rhetoric and seven women who are oppressed in ashe racist society. herstories paternal grandmother, owned a general store and didand wellsexist economically of the Gods in Washington. record-breaking book Milk is taking the world by storm, captivating though it professional was the Greatwriting. Depression. Angelou briefly lived with her mother. She2.5 was a and Honey, her debut book, solf over Made up of this 20 separate monologues, theexpressing work connects storiesSheofmoved thewith the sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend. After experience she became mute for nearly five years. The journey begins with Strayed her disillusionment million copies. Her thebecame bookObama came from a poem she has wide scholars, and critics. In Binspiration ,for Michelle tells the story of again tovariety Oakland of withreaders, her mother and her brother. He attended aecoming labor school and the first cable car conductor death of her mother from lung cancer. She was very distant from the in San Francisco. nameless women, subjets ofthe rape, bandonment, abortion and dometc written in theonpast about resilience of women to overcome 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 hadShe a huge impact on herworker, marriage to her husband. The two divorced She had many professions in her young adulthood. anything. was describes a fry cook,women a sex asasbeing a nightclub “smooth dancer a milk and and performer, thick as a violence. Shange originally wrote them separate poems in 1974. Her she being beganofa using opioids.She In order to readers change Conference. her life,her andShe endalso her Barack Obama well as and herBess experience mother. takesLeadership into life and cast member of the as opera Porgy , a ndand a coordinator the Southern Christian honey”. Her second book, The Sun and Her Flowers was published in October 2017, and explores themes of suffering, she decided to partake on this trail, alone, with zero hiking worked as a journalist in Ghana.
writing style islead very utilizing African American vernacular the experiences that made her who she is. She shares ofhas hera large lifeand as well as experience. thehave stories of her life that tounique, her downward spiral andhighlights theKaur onesalso that motivated her to keep loss, traumaWild andshows revolution. Today, Kaur performs her poetry across thethe world. social
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 media following asTimes anto“instapoet” itItpersonal as platform elevate her work.inspires unusual punctuation create syncopation. has beenlives. turned into aIt Broadway and play as well the disappointments. From aandwise perspective, Michelle Obama readers toinbe the African publicly discussed their Ittoalso helped increase black feminist writings the book is aAmerican New Yorkwomen Bestseller and is uses included ina Oprah’s Book Club. was published inOff-Broadway 2012. 1970s.
authors their own as a 2010 of theatrical film.truths, their own stories and overcome the odds.
6
Feminist Five “Every girl, beauty noyou matter butterfly, where she rarely lives, deserves theor “Nobody will protect from your su ering. You can't crytheitchanges away “We delight in the of the but admit from nowgod on in i will say things like her you iareloved resilient, or you are “i found myself and i loved her fiercely” 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 itNtozake away.not It's just there, andthink you have to survive have to i extraordinary because i don’t you’re beautifulit.butYoubecause ― Shange her.”it.-Michelle endure You have toObama live through it and love it and move on and be need youasarefarmore rupi kaur of your best and betteryou fortoit know and run as youthan canthat” in the―direction happiest dreams across the bridge that was built by your own desire to heal.”-Cheryl Strayed
Ntozake Shange was an American playwright, and self proclaimed Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, firstrelated Black First Ladyand of Black the United Black feminist. Much of her the works to race power.
States ofI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings America, was born on January 17th, 1964. She is married toin Barack was written in 1969 by writer and She was born Paulette Linda Williams in October of 1948 Trenton, Obama, the 44th president of the United States. Michelle grew up on the South New Jersey. She attended a white elementary school ate the Brown 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 v. Board of Education court decision, where she was bullied and 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, attacks. age she Princeton developed an which sheendured rented racist from her greatFrom aunt.a young She attended University, childhood trauma and experiences with racism. The book begins when appreciation for the arts. She attended Barnard College at Columbia following her brother to Honey the same and graduated cumwritten laude inby 1985. She Milk and is a school poetry and prose book Rupi Kaur. Cheryl Strayed is an American writer, novelist and podcast host. Angelou is very young and leaves St Louis to live with her grandparents recalls in her memoir in that herYork teachers her toStudies. not applyShe to an Ivyher League She University New City advised in American got masters was born in Spangler, Pennsylvania in 1968. She later moved to It was too published on attending November 4th, 2014 lasted that over school for fear of setting expectations that were high. in Upon Princeton sheand explained it 77 washer degree from USC Los Angeles. Around this time, she changed 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. weeks the New Times Best Theher book divided name to Ntozake whichYork "she who comes with own things" family built, on themselves, means which did not Seller have List. electricity, or isplumbing 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. in Zulu. into 4 chapters which reflect a journey from “Hurting” to 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 She position in 1996 as executive director of She an graduated from writes the in University of Minnesota with acommunity BA infirst English “Healing”. lowercase letters, shifts between literacy. Her most writings, Fof or Chicago Colored Hospitals. Girls Who Have Considered Suicide when the Rainbow is Enuf, coined affairspopular at the University She worked there until 2008 when the primary campaign for and Women’s Studies. Her mother died from lung cancer when she was and in second person breaksdance, many of the traditional rules her groundbrakig dramatic formulathe consisting poetry, music and song. She presidency began. a choreopoem, senior college. Sheand of frequently writes about the impact ofof her mother’s death on her life. Michelle of Obama became one of thepage most prolificShe celebrities ofShe way her also time as First Lady of Writing the United became anassocite the Women’s Institute for Freedom of the Press. taught Creative at the poetry. rites this to honor her culture, specifically The book is the most highly acclaimed of all her autobiographies. It became a bestseller, immediately after States.of She played anShe exceptionally active role in issues andBlack campaigns that mattered to her. of the major a University Houston. also played a major part in the Arts Movement, with her Some writing creating In addition to her memoir, Wild, and a few novels, Strayed Gurmukhi script. It is her intention for her writing to be 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, women’s rights, LGBT rights, and health of children.accessible has She also Black Aesthetic. published work in The Washington Post , T he New York Times , Vogue, Tin House , and several other papers garnered a successful public image inthemes popularexplored culture, for her fashion include statements, discipline self and care presence. Her and and easy for the reader to follow.. The in this work abuse, love, 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 ear Sugars podcast for four years. She considers herself a feminist activist. Shange died in her Dsleep in October of 2018 at 70 years old. school classrooms and college classes. heartbreak.
7
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 for the community. girls. 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.
9
13
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
10
14
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
15
11
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
16
CLICK HERE FOR OUR SUBMISSION FORMS
13