Mind F*ck: Sex Ed Trivia Night with Feminist Union @ University of North Texas
Since the semester just started, Fem U wanted to host an event centered around sex ed and sex positivity that also built community amongst new and returning members. The top three with the highest scores won prizes with mystery bags from a local sex shop as well as fun giveaways and self care goodies. In addition to the trivia (which was free to participate in), the chapter had raffles that people could pay to be entered in and were a really fun fundraiser! The event was held at local queer coffee shop called Q’s and the staff there were so amazing and supportive. The chapter plans to host a fat and body positive burlesque show in October during Love Your Body Week! We also had the Condom Club from UNT… Read more »
Period Politics Symposium at Otterbein
The event was an educational panel that hosted 4 advocates and thinkers on period activism, Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, author of Periods Gone Public: Taking a Stand for Menstrual Equity, Nancy Kramer, founder and director of Free The Tampons, Elizabeth Brown, Columbus City Council member and advocate for menstrual equity, Claire Coder, founder and director of Aunt Flow. The panel was followed by a q&a sessions from the 93-person audience, and URGE members announcing the new free menstrual products initiative on Otterbein’s campus and a book signing with Jennifer.
URGE Texas Drops Off 1500 Postcards to Senator Cornyn in Support a Clean DREAM Act
URGE advocates, All Above All, Jane’s Due Process, NARAL Texas, Planned Parenthood Texas Votes, TEA Fund and the Lilith Fund delivered 1500 postcards from Texans who support a clean DREAM Act by the end of the year. With 800, 000 DACAmented families hanging in the balance, we joined United We Dream’s Day of Action to ensure that every immigrant family is protected and live with dignity. To learn more about our work to defend DACA: http://www.mystatesman.com/news/opinion/letters-the-editor-dec-2017/0jAlYQ4anOJbi2ONtFBGLK/
URGE at Texas State Host Lotería Night
Advocates at the Texas State University hosted a Lotería night to push our anti-border wall resolution campaign. They started raising awareness of our concurrent and upcoming campaigns on the Hyde Amendment, and a clean DREAM Act.
Take Back The Night at Washburn University
On October 12th, URGE at WU and STAND co-organized a Take Back The Night rally & march to stand in solidarity with survivors of sexual and relationship violence on campus. They were joined and supported by the New Moon Sisterhood Circle, WUPD, WSGA, SAGL, students, faculty, staff, and community members. Dr. Jericho Hocket, Professor of Psychology, Molly Steffes-Herman, Washburn’s new full-time victim advocate, and a courageous survivor all spoke at the event, which was attended by over 50 people! This was the first time URGE at WU had a TBTN and they are excited about the support showed by the Washburn campus and Topeka communities – they are eager to make Washburn safer and more welcoming, and can’t wait for next year’s
FEM and OU’s F-ckRapeCulture Homecoming March
For the last 6 years, Ohio University’s F-ck Rap Culture (FRC) has hosted an event aims to put pressure on the university administration for the funding of the Survivor Advocacy Program and a more accountable response to sexual assault on and around campus. This is the third year FEM has been involved, with 50-60 people attending this year.
Speaking Out: A Reproductive Rights Panel Discussion at Wichita State
Even though it’s summer break, our chapter at Wichita State is working with our Kansas partners to advocate for medically accurate reproductive health care. Our Kansas State Organizer, Lain, and students from Wichita State joined 50 other community activist to address the right to comprehensive reproductive health care and to share their personal experiences with reproductive justice organizing. On the panel: Lain Littlejohn, URGE; Julie Burkhart, Founder and CEO of Trust Women; Sonja Spoo, Catholics for Choice; Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Kansas State Senator; Karen Knorp-Brown, Local activist.
KU Takes a Stand Against Campus Carry
On May 17th, students from the Fail Campus Carry group attended to protest the monthly Kansas Board of Regents meeting by wearing cloths with NRA spray painted on them over their mouths. They were redirected from the meeting room to a side room, where they could only listen to live-stream audio. During this meeting, they were discussing the upcoming campus carry law and how KU weapon’s policy is different than the rest – it requires people with guns that are in backpacks or coats to have those items on them. They ruled to have KU change in accordance with the rest. During the break, one KBOR member came in the room to listen to the student’s concerns, but ultimately said there was nothing KBOR can do. After the meeting, the… Read more »
Spelman Works to Bail Out Black Mamas
On May 14, Mother’s Day, student leaders of URGE Spelman helped welcome home formerly incarcerated Black mothers. Days before, many women were release across the nation through the Mama’s Day Bailout, a national day of action illuminating the harsh realities of cash based bail out systems. More than 100 mothers were released in times for mother’s day. Our URGE Spelman students volunteered at the childcare station painting faces, giving away treats, and monitoring the bouncy house. They gave the mothers much needed self-care time! This homecoming was magical for all involved.
Former President at Wichita State Wins at Voices for Choice
On May 2nd, Voices for Choice, an event organized by PPGP, Trust Women/TW South Wind Women’s Center, MainStream coalition, Kansas ACLU, True Blue Women, and the National Council of Jewish Women was well attended by pro-choice advocates and activists from across the state, ready to lobby against HB 2319/SB 98, otherwise known as “the font bill”. For the awards ceremony, The Next Generation Award went to Nigel Morton, former FOCUS President at WSU, The Outstanding Ally in Government Award went to Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau, Ranking Minority on the Senate Federal and State Affairs committee, and the Dr. George Tiller Courage Award went to Pedro Irigonegaray, civil rights attorney. In total, there were over 60 attendees!
