DANA BALICKI
CODEPINK,
Organizer and Media Coordinator
We are all Women for Peace.
On participating in Vagina Festival 2007:
The title of the event is reason enough! Seriously, I appreciate all the work that VDAY does. I was in New Orleans and saw a talk with Eve Ensler and she said, "You are the community you've been waiting for." That resonates in me still and I will enthusiastically bring myself and my community to join others at the Festival- a great collection of women so far!!
About Dana Balicki:
Sometimes people ask me what my 'real job' is as if
working for peace on a daily basis isn't job-like enough. As if somehow
leading a delegation of women in pink wigs and pink statue of liberty
costumes to lobby our Congressional Representatives doesn't quite fit the
mold for a job. Well, I guess they have a point, but if we are always trying
to do what is typically done, then this war will never end and the
outrageousness, creativity and compassion of the peacemaking women in this
country would never be heard (or seen!). I am dedicated to this peace
movement being beautiful, audacious and a challenge to authority.
CODEPINK has been working collaboratively with women in Iraq for
over 4 years. Through that work I have seen a spirit and a dedication in the
Iraqi women that at times seems unfathomable given the current climate.
Especially as it all worsens everyday. As women saying no to war in this
country, we should be inspired by the strength of our sisters and use this
power to do all that we can to end the war.
About CODEPINK:
CODEPINK Women for
Peace is a women-initiated grassroots peace and social justice movement
working to end the war in Iraq, stop new wars, and redirect our resources
into healthcare, education and other life-affirming activities. CODEPINK
rejects the Bush administration's fear-based politics that justify violence,
and instead calls for policies based on compassion, kindness and a
commitment to international law. With an emphasis on joy and humor,
CODEPINK women and men seek to activate, amplify and inspire a community of
peacemakers through creative campaigns and a commitment to non-violence.
Website: www.codepinkalert.org
For more on Vagina Festival 2007 speakers >
|
|
VAGINA FESTIVAL 2007
took place on FEB. 16-18
at
AGNI GALLERY, NYC
Proceeds were donated to V-Day. We were honored to present two performances of The Vagina Monologues.
About Vagina Festival 2007 >
View the 2007 Program >
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN >
At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime — with the abuser usually someone known to her. Violence against women and girls is a universal problem of epidemic proportions.
V-Day's 2007 theme Reclaiming Peace seeks to make the connection between the worldwide anti-violence work of V-Day activists with our collective desire for peace and an end to armed conflicts. “We are saying that if a government supports the use of force, weapons, violence as a method of control and dominance, this models and gives license to the same kind of behavior at home,” stated V-Day Founder/Artistic Director Eve Ensler.
|
