Resources for Social Justice Activism and Advocacy, including Campus Orgs

UW-L Violence Prevention Services: Ingrid Peterson, 608-785-5126, peterson.ingr@uwlax.edu, 306 Wimberly Hall

Videos, UW-L Student Orgs, Local Activism and Advocacy, Meta-Sites (sites with big lists of websites on lots of issues), Leadership Training, Feminist and Identity Groups, Violence and Sexual Assault, Challenging the Media, Poverty and Workplace, Peace, Boycotts, Funding Sources Send Deb your suggestions: Email Deb Hoskins

Previous "Deb's Pick of the Month" feminist, activist videos from the Internet:

Jay Smooth (runs the longest-running hip-hop radio show in the U.S., from NYC) on the Hyde Amendment's role in Health Care Reform, on behalf of the Center for Reproductive Rights. He invites you to make and submit your own video in support!
White Privilege -- an animated video based on Peggy MacIntosh's 1988 article!
"A hope more powerful than hate" -- Obama addresses the Human Rights Campaign's National Dinner. It takes more than a president!
How to tell someone they sound racist! An excellent how-to that works for sexism, homophobia, and other stuff too!
Ireland's "unbelievably good" equal-marriage ad here.
Activist Video of the Month: Taylor Mali explains "what we make as teachers," just in case anyone is confused!
Violence against women of the Congo continues unabated for 10 years! Where is the international outcry? A panel discussion sponsored by Women's eNews.
How do we respond to this?! Where will women be in that response?! Activist Video of the Month?!
"In My Name" An anti-poverty music video by will.i.am
"This Brave Nation: Legendary Activists" Bonnie Raitt and Dolores Huerta talk about racism, classism, feminism, environment -- and reminisce. From The Nation magaine.
"Interracial Relationships" University of North Carolina project
"Interracial Marriage" A commercial in celebration of Loving v Virginia (1967)
"Kids and Race" Penn State examines how kids learn about race
"Looking at Gender and Race in Politics" ABC interviews some experts
"Campaign Word Wars" Penn State's Shannon Sullivan discusses particular incidents
"Race and Sexuality" Christina Accomando discusses the intersections
Kiri Davis: "A Girl Like Me" Race + Gender and the Doll Study
Alice Walker: "Not with a Bang, but a Whimper" Peace. And the consequences of war
Guerilla Girls at the Feminist Future Forum History of how the Guerilla Girls deconstructed the art world and used that intellectual exercise to produce totally cool activism

Student Orgs at UW-L:

WSSA (Women's Studies Student Association): see their Facebook site here. Email inquiries to wssa@uwlax.edu

Students for Choice (S4C): see their Facebook site here.

ALANA (Asian Latina African Native American women): Check them out here. Email inquiries to alanawomen@uwlax.edu

Other Student Orgs: click here for additional possibilities! UW-L has MANY great student orgs!

Local Activism and Advocacy

American Association of University Women (AAUW): our local branch is very active! Check them out here: http://aauwlacrosse.org/default.aspx
The League of Women Voters is also very active locally! Check them out here: http://lwvlacrosse.org/
7 Rivers Region LGBT Resource Center. See http://www.7riverslgbt.org/ for more information.
GALAXY (LaX's LGBT youth org). See http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=jhLQK0PGLoF&b=1452211 for more information.
New Horizons (battered Women's shelter in La Crosse). Volunteering here requires training. See your instructor or call (608) 791-2600.Salvation Army. Serves meals, among other things. 223 8th St N. Call (608) 782-6126 to volunteer.
Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Serves meals, runs a clothes closet for women (started by one of our minors!). 612 Division St. (608) 782-3468. See http://www.oursaviorslutheranchurch.net/serve/#ComeForSupper for more info.
Place of Grace Catholic Worker's House, 919 Hood St. (608) 782-6224. Serves meals, kids' activities.
WAFER Food Pantry, 782.6003. Sort, weigh food, stock shelves, wait on customers. Sometimes building maintenance.

Meta-Sources (Lists of Websites):

Activist Websites (UMBC) An alphabetical list, includes many topics and many feminists of color sites.
Feminist.com's activism site
Feminist Majority Foundation online
Lambda Legal All kinds of info (and help!) here
NOW's Take Action website
Out and Equal Workplace Advocates Information and help for LGBT-friendly workplaces
Stanford University's Feminist Studies Metasite: Tons of Stuff!
Women Online Worldwide

Leadership Training:

Through its Future Leader Award Program, Mount Mary College Women’s Leadership Institute is offering students an incredible opportunity to meet outstanding leaders, listen to inspiring speakers, and learn public leadership skills through an innovative curriculum. June 4 - 10, 2008 at Mount Mary College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For cost, application deadline and registration process, please visit: www.mtmary.edu/cawp.htm or to learn more about the program, view a video at www.newleadershipwi.com/video/NewLeadershipWI.wmv. If you have questions, send an email to womenldr@mtmary.edu.

Women/Feminists and Other Group Identities:

Asian Women's Resource Exchange
Disabled Peoples International: search the site for "women."
Ma'yan: Jewish Women's Project
Women of Color Metasite from UW System's Women's Studies Librarian's office -- US racial groups and international, many many sites.
Women of Color Metasite from Stanford University

Violence and Sexual Assault:

Violence Against Women (Dept. of Justice)
Rape, abuse & incest national network
Aware (self-defense for women)
The Safety Zone Resources on Domestic Violence

Challenging the Media:

Beyondmedia: A great manifesto!
About Face Gotta love the "gallery of offenders!"

Poverty and Workplace Issues:

9to5, National Association of Working Women
Momrising.org Stop workplace discrimination
WW=P Wisconsin Women = Prosperity: Lifting Wisconsin by Raising the Grade for Wisconsin's Women
Work/Life Study -- Retention of Professional Women by Jodi Vandenberg-Daves and Betsy Morgan

Peace:

NonViolent Peaceforce A non-violent, direct-action think-tank service for an inclusive, conflict resolving, community building, sustainable development.

Boycotts:

Baby Milk Action: International issue, baby formulas used with unsafe water supplies.
Co-op America Boycotts: Boycott Action News from Co-op America maintains a nice list of many current progressive boycotts. Includes alerts and contact information for taking action. Just so's you know, Co-op America is not itself a co-operative.
The Boycott News, individually produced by a 5th grade teacher in California, includes pro and con arguments.

Funding Sources:

The Foundation Center Directory Searchable
Women's Issues Resources Site Maintained by Women's Studies at University of Maryland's Joan Korenman.
Office of Justice Programs Government monies.