Schedule
Saturday, March 20 University of the District of Columbia
8:45 – 9:45 Registration Bldg. 46 East, Lobby
Coffee and tea available will be available in the upper lobby.
10:00 – 11:45 General Assembly Bldg. 46 East, Auditorium
Never Go Back: Protecting and Advancing Reproductive Rights
Recent events have reminded us of the relentless attacks on women’s reproductive rights and health. Proposed abortion bans in health insurance coverage, a dramatic increase in clinic violence including the murder of an abortion provider, and the dangers of so-called crisis pregnancy centers are evidence of the many threats to choice today. Speakers will discuss these ongoing threats, the tactics and influences at play, and how we can organize to protect and advance reproductive rights in the United States.
Welcome
Tania Stewart and Jacqueline Sun, National Campus Organizers, Feminist Majority Foundation
Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Katherine Spillar, Executive Vice President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Heidi Williamson, National Policy Coordinator, SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective
Paige Oberlin, Co-Chair, Hollins University Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
12:15- 1:30 Workshop Session I
From Beginning to End: Organizing on Your Campus Bldg. 39 Rm. 301F, Trustee Board Room
Do you want to start a feminist group on your campus but don’t know where to begin? Are you an existing feminist group but are looking for better resources and new ideas? Join FMF campus organizers and student activists as we discuss step-by-step strategies to mobilize your campus community and remain a strong and viable student organization. From mapping your goals to planning events, come share your knowledge while getting your questions answered through this interactive dialogue.
Patrice L. Guillory, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation
Emily Kadar, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation
Lauren Geiser, Co-President, Case Western Reserve University Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
Alicia Dittman, Treasurer, Clarion University Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
Kate Jaffe, Co-President, University of South Carolina Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
Target 2015: International Family Planning Access as a Basic Right Bldg. 46 East, Auditorium
One hundred and seventy-nine countries, including the United States, have pledged 2015 as “the target year” to make access to reproductive healthcare and family planning services a basic right for women worldwide, yet US funding levels for international family planning fall billions short of what we have promised. Panelists will discuss the Unites States’ role in ensuring all women have access to family planning, the urgency to increase US funding, and how you can organize on campus to help reach the goals for 2015!
Anushay Hossain, Global Programs Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation
Kiki Kalkstein, Program Assistant, Center for Health and Gender Equity
Piya Gunsalus, Program Coordinator, Ipas
Equality on All Fronts: Organizing on Queer Feminist Issues on Campus Bldg. 44 Rm. A03
Join us to discuss national strides for LGBTQ equality, including marriage equality and Proposition 8, the Employee Non-Discrimination Act, repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, latest state actions, and possible upcoming ballot initiatives. Then, get advice from experts, experienced campus activists, and organizers about organizing campaigns on your campuses!
Katherine Spillar, Executive Vice President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Stacey R. Long, Esq, Federal Legislative Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Jennifer Meneray, President, Cal State San Marcos LGBT Allies; Women’s Studies Student Association
Val Vilott, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation
Eliminating Barriers to Birth Control Access Bldg. 42 Rm. A06
Young women have the most at stake in the struggle for access to reproductive services. Also at this workshop, learn ways to agitate for quality women’s health services locally, nationally, and around the world. We’ll discuss strategies for working with campus administrators and community health organizations to ensure safe, affordable access to comprehensive family planning resources.
Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Sally Schaeffer, Senior Public Policy Advocate, Family Violence Prevention Fund
Lauren Williams, Public Policy Coordinator, Feminist Women’s Health Center
Stacy Vojta & Lauren Araujo, student speakers
Adopt-A-Clinic: Activists Countering Anti-Abortion Violence Bldg. 38 B-Level, Firebird Inn
With the election of a pro-choice president, many anti-abortion extremist groups have called for a “return to the streets,” escalating clinic violence and harassment across the country. Clinics and staff have suffered from many forms of violence, including arson, stalking, and death threats. Tragically, on May 31, 2009, Dr. George Tiller was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist. Come learn what you can do to counter the harassment by participating in FMF’s Adopt-a-Clinic Program and become a champion for choice by supporting your local women’s health clinic.
Jennifer Boulanger, Executive Director, Allentown Women’s Center
duVergne Gaines, West Coast Campus Director, Feminist Majority Foundation
1:30 – 2:45 Break for Lunch
Women Leaders’ Luncheon Bldg. 38 2nd Floor, Windows Lounge
Sponsors: UDC Student Government Association & UDC Women’s Initiative
The luncheon will feature student leaders from the University System of the District of Columbia. They will be facilitating an open discussion on the timely issues of today and the impact it has on women as student leaders and future leaders at the local, national and international levels. The mission for this luncheon is to create an atmosphere of networking and sharing among conference attendees. Lunch will be provided by UDC. A limited number of tickets will be available by lottery.
3:00 – 4:15 Workshop Session II
Who’s Feeling the Heat? The Gendered Impact of Climate Change Bldg. 44 Rm. A03
With global warming and water shortages on the rise, how are women and girls worldwide being affected? We’ll take a look at the gendered impact of climate change, how women are paying a disproportionate price, and what you can do to raise awareness, curb the impact, and influence US and International climate negotiations.
Elisha Dunn-Georgiou, Senior International Advocacy Associate, Population Action International
Roger-Mark De Souza, Director of Foundation and Corporate Relations, Sierra Club
Linda Delgado, Director of Government Affairs, OXFAM
Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson, East Tennessee State University Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
Anushay Hossain, Global Programs Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation
Exposing Fake Clinics Bldg. 42 Rm. A06
Fake clinics, or so-called “crisis pregnancy centers,” target campuses and often use deceptive advertising practices to lure young women into their facilities, all the while they frequently provide misinformation about the risks of abortion and birth control. Come learn what you can do to expose fake clinics in your area and prevent them from deceiving students on your campus.
duVergne Gaines, West Coast Campus Director, Feminist Majority Foundation
Myra Duran, Co-President, University of California Los Angeles Bruin Feminists for Equality
Anton Medvedev, Terps for Choice, University of Maryland College Park
Meghan Shalvoy, former President, Stony Brook University Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
Ending Sexual Assault on Campus: In Search of Real Solutions Bldg. 46 East, Auditorium
Sexual assault continues to be a major problem on college campuses. Many women are raped or experience attempted rape during their college careers. Unfortunately, many schools are silent on this issue, attempt to cover up the reality of the situation, or “fix” it with victim-blaming policies. Learn how to work with administrators to change the sexual assault policy at your school, and how to better engage the entire community in a holistic approach to ending the violence.
Kim Gandy, Vice President and General Counsel, Feminist Majority Foundation
Jerin Alam, Co-Chair, National Organization for Women Young Feminist Task Force; FMF Choices Campus Alumna
Daniel Wald, Board Member, Students Actively Fighting to End Rape
Sara Bendoraitis, Director, American University GLBTA Resource Center
The Power of the Purse: Funding Feminist Policies Bldg. 39 Rm. 301F, Trustee Board Room
Feminist laws require feminist funding levels. After Congress authorizes funding for each bill it passes, the Senate and House appropriations committees determine the actual funding levels it allocates for the bill. This is one of the most important yet overlooked components of the legislative process. Learn about the appropriations process and become a more powerful advocate for feminist policy.
Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Dee Martin, Partner, Bracewell & Giuliani
Danielle Geong, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation
Access Denied: Women, Immigration Reform, and Reproductive Justice Bldg. 38 B-Level, Firebird Inn
Women are often most affected by inequitable immigration policies. We’ll take a look at how the unfair enforcement of these policies, the lack of comprehensive health care for immigrants, and the denial of educational and economic opportunities impact immigrant women and their families. Panelists will discuss the intersectional experiences of immigrant women and the dire need for immigration reform.
Leslye E. Orloff, Vice President and Director of Immigrant Women Program, Legal Momentum
Pramila Jayapal, Founder and Executive Director, OneAmerica
Veronica Bayetti Flores, Senior Policy Analyst, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Amanda L. Allen, Reproductive Justice Program Director, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum
4:30 – 5:30 Women, Jobs, and the Economy: A Town Hall Forum Bldg. 46 East, Auditorium
These influential speakers will share their unique perspectives on job growth and where women fit in as the American economy tries to get back on its feet. Please bring your questions, as this is a remarkable opportunity to speak directly with leaders in key U.S. positions working on these issues today.
Kim Gandy, Vice President and General Counsel, Feminist Majority Foundation, Moderator
Andrea Camp, Executive Director, Joint Economic Committee of the US Congress
Latifa Lyles, Deputy Director, US Department of Labor Women’s Bureau
Gail Cohen, Chief Economist, Joint Economic Committee of the US Congress
Danielle Geong, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation: Key Announcements
7:00 – 9:00 Optional Evening Mixer Downtown Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse
1609 17th St. NW
Sunday, March 21 University of the District of Columbia
9:00 – 9:30 Registration Bldg. 46 East, Lobby
Coffee and tea available will be available in the upper lobby.
9:45 – 11:15 General Assembly Bldg. 46 East, Auditorium
Women’s Rights on the Global Stage
We are approaching an era where the struggle for gender equity in every facet of society is becoming the fundamental basis for foreign policy for the U.S. and other nations around the world. During this session, speakers will discuss the significance of the United States’ newly revived commitment to empower and improve the quality of life for women globally. They will examine the implications for securing the country’s obligations to pass IVAWA, ratify CEDAW, and fulfill the promises of the U.N.’s Millennium Development Goals and the 1994 Cairo Conference. They will also recommend how young women can get involved in the cause for advancing women’s rights everywhere.
Anushay Hossain, Global Programs Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation
Daphne Jayasinghe, Women’s Human Rights Advocacy Director, Amnesty International
Alexandra Arriaga, Co-Chair, Working Group on the Ratification of CEDAW
Feroza Yari, Feminist Majority Foundation Afghan Scholar
Tamara Tunie, Actor/Producer/Director and Activist
Patrice Guillory and Allie McDonald, National Campus Organizers, Feminist Majority Foundation: Key Announcements
11:30 – 12:30 Regional Caucuses
Attendees will meet with FMF campus organizers, discuss pressing issues and upcoming ballot initiatives in their home states and meet other local activists.
Danielle Geong and Patrice Guillory Bldg. 46 East, Auditorium
TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, AR, DC, DE, MD, MI, NJ, OH, PA, and HBCUs
Emily Kadar and Jacqueline Sun Bldg. 38 B-Level, Firebird Inn
NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, ME
Allie McDonald and Val Vilott Bldg. 39 Rm. 119
MN, WI, IA, IL, IN, MO, OK, CA, OR, WA, MT, ID, WY, UT, AZ, CO, NM, ND, SD, NE, KS, Canada
Tania Stewart and duVergne Gaines Bldg. 42 Rm. A06
VA, WV, KY, TN, NC, SC
12:45 – 1:45 Break for Lunch
2:00 – 3:15 Workshop Session III
Get Out HER Vote: Coalition Building for a Stronger Social Justice Movement Bldg. 42 Rm. A06
Coalition building is a critical way to leverage more power on campus. With the midterm elections upon us, coalitions can be particularly helpful to organize against detrimental ballot initiatives in your community. In this skills-building session, panelists will share experiences working in coalitions and give students helpful tips on how to work effectively together to achieve goals, bring diversity into their groups, and build a community of allies on campus.
Alice Cohan, Political Director, Feminist Majority Foundation
duVergne Gaines, West Coast Campus Director, Feminist Majority Foundation
Elizabeth Jeppesen, President, Campus Women’s Coalition, South Dakota State University
Raquel Vizcarra, Organizer and Development Associate, Dolores Huerta Foundation
From the Margins to the Media Center Bldg. 38 B-Level, Firebird Inn
Over the course of our lives, media as we know it has rapidly and successfully transcended conventional ways of communicating. As feminists, we can make a profound effect on the world through our words, imagination, creativity, and skillful reporting. In this skills-building workshop, learn how to advance the movement through various media forms that best suit your style, your wallet, and effectively promote your message!
Katherine Spillar, Executive Editor, Ms. Magazine
Jehmu Greene, President, Women’s Media Center
Erin Rickard, Senior Editor, Gender Across Borders, University of Virginia Alum
Alicia Dittman, Treasurer, Clarion University Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance
How Abortion Works: Provider and Political Perspectives Bldg. 46 East, Auditorium
This workshop will provide an overview of abortion: who obtains them, how medical and surgical abortions work, and how anti-choice forces erect political and financial barriers to abortion access. Learn from the experts about the facts behind the controversy so you will be better equipped to promote reproductive rights on campus and across the country.
Dr. Beth Jordan, Medical Director, Feminist Majority Foundation
Whitney Magendie, Development Coordinator, Ipas
Megan Evans, National President, Medical Students for Choice
Seeking Positions of Power: Feminists at the Decision-Making Table Bldg. 44 Rm. A03
If this past year proved anything, it’s that we need more feminists in positions of power. Think you might want to run for office some day? Want to know more about the influential jobs behind the political leaders? Not sure where to begin? At this workshop, learn some of the tricks of the political trade, how to develop your leadership skills, who are the leaders behind the public leaders, and how to best support other feminists running for office.
Jane Campbell, Chief of Staff, Office of US Senator Mary Landrieu; former mayor of Cleveland, OH
Susan Mayer, Senior Military Advisor, Office of US Representative Carol Shea-Porter
Adrienne Christian, Chief of Staff, Office of US Representative Donna Edwards
Dvora Lovinger, Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of US Representative John Sarbanes (MD); former legislative director, Office of US Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD)
Racquel Layne, President, University of the District of Columbia Student Government Association
Enslaved in the Shadows: Human Trafficking in the United States Bldg. 39 Rm. 119
Every day women and girls are trafficked into a living nightmare of sexual exploitation, slave labor, and horrific violence. As the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, the vast network of traffickers, facilitators and victims continues to grow, extending into our own back yards. Panelists will discuss this hidden slavery in the United States and the legislative and community-based solutions to support survivors and put an end to human trafficking.
Alison Friedman, Senior Advisor, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State
Sarah Grenzeback, Program Associate, Polaris Project
Jennifer McDaniel, Training and Events Coordinator, Courtney’s House
3:30 – 5:00 General Assembly Bldg. 46 East – Auditorium
Fired Up? Ready to Go!
There is tremendous power in the feminist movement today, and it is up to us to harness that energy moving forward. In order to do so, we all must step up as skilled leaders and informed advocates, raising our voices for a better tomorrow. Join us for tips on leadership and advocacy, skills that will serve you well in any field, whether you’ll be joining us tomorrow on Capitol Hill or heading back to campus! This session will also include an opportunity for participants to share their action pledges and ideas for moving forward.
Congresswoman Donna Edwards (MD)
Jehmu Greene, President, Women’s Media Center
Jane Campbell, Chief of Staff, Office of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu (LA)
Alison Friedman, Senior Advisor, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, U.S. Department of State
Grace Mulenga, Vice President, University of the District of Columbia Student Government Association
Shelby Knox, Feminist Organizer
Activism Pledge and Commitment
Val Vilott, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation
Emily Kadar, National Campus Organizer, Feminist Majority Foundation
Monday, March 22 - Congressional Visit Day
9:30 – 11:00am Capitol Hill Briefing Russell Senate Office Building, Caucus Room 325
Constitution Ave. and Delaware Ave. NE
Opening
Norma Gattsek, Director of Government Relations, Feminist Majority Foundation
Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Issue Briefing
Global Issues
International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA)
Tracy Jacobson, Legal Counsel, Representative William D. Delahunt (MA-10)
Kiersten Stewart, Director of Public Policy, Family Violence Prevention Fund
CEDAW - The Women's Treaty
June Zeitlin, Director, CEDAW Education Project, Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
International Family Planning
Anushay Hossain, Global Programs Coordinator, Feminist Majority Foundation
Domestic Issues
Health Insurance Reform
Eleanor Smeal, President, Feminist Majority Foundation
Pay Equity/Paycheck Fairness Act
Norma Gattsek, Director of Government Relations, Feminist Majority Foundation
Domestic Reproductive Health
Kim Gandy, Vice President, Feminist Majority Foundation
11:00 – 4:00pm Congressional Visits Congressional Offices
11:00 – 4:00pm Congressional Visit Debriefing Sewall-Belmont House & Museum
144 Constitution Ave., NE
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