Day one thoughts and reflections

The day before the forum began, I attended the young feminist activist forum committee with 50 other activist women working on a variety of issues, from diverse contexts, from all parts of the world. We gathered to strategize ways to influence delegates to foster multigenerational dialogue and young feminist women’s leadership at and post the forum. The planning for this happened over months of online discussions and yesterday we finally met and began to work through the logistics of each method. The objective of the subcommittee I am participating in is entitled young feminist conversations. The overall goal of this group is to encourage people attending the forum to speak in small groups briefly about their personal and professional experiences growing into the women’s movement; about how and if they received sufficient support; and finally ask them to commit to an action to cultivate feminist leadership amongst diverse groups of people and specifically young feminists (new to the movement). The questions are fluid and adaptable to your environment. It was decided that to encourage these intimate conversations we would offer those willing to engage in this transforming conversation a brightly colored fusia scarf.

DAY ONE

In the morning of day one, I attended the plenary and listened to women’s human rights activists asking questions about the politics of our identities within organizations and as well as the movement. Statements were made about strengthening the movement, fragmentation occurring within the movement, common ground, alliances, multigenerational exchanges and personal renewal. Delegates learned that there are one hundred and forty four countries represented and twenty percent of the registered participants are under the age of thirty (quite impressive).

Quotes of the Day
Total to be more than the sum of parts
None of us are free till all of us are

Reflection on a Presenter
A woman spoke, her voice was so soft and so sweet, her words blew me over with the power that gently rolled from her tongue.

Moments to Remember
At the end of the plenary I found myself sitting in a hallway engaging in personal conversations with strangers/acquaintances and friends. I got to know people and I spoke with women who wanted “pink” (the color is quite a conversation starter) scarves and thus they shared their stories with me. Nothing was recorded or video taped. It was informal and genuine. Hugs were shared, laughs and eye contact were ubiquitous. I learned about close friends’ inspirations and challenges and others triumphs and thoughts. Some were born into their movements and transformed by their political context, others grew into feminism through mentorships and social justice education. Grandmothers have encouraged and matriarchs have prevailed. I heard stories I would most likely have never heard if I had not approached these woman (with the scarves of course). The women I spoke with are in love with the movement and are committed to supporting and making spaces for new feminists to come into. Thank you for sharing your stories.