Today was a powerful day in Seattle, and I wasn’t quite expecting just how moving it would be to hear the stories of women in the community who have connected with women everywhere to make the WWR conference a reality for five years in a row now.

Although the chairs in the above photo are empty, they were soon to be filled by Star, Jackie, Sharon, Denae, Lola, and Harmony, six local heroines who kicked off the day’s events with a lively panel discussing everything from hip hop to the horrors of human trafficking. Things got real really fast, and it was clear that the issues raised weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone in the room.

The collective yearning for change was palpable as people shifted in their seats, listening intently to the women’s accounts of hope and sorrow. Although each woman seemed to have her own special cause for promoting social justice–from the Black Lives Matter movement to the struggle of indigenous people who still fight to survive on this continent–it was clear that we are all united by a longing for peace and joy in the world, and that common goal surely echoed throughout the day’s events.

– Molly Warinsky, Group 16

While it may have felt early for some of us, the turnout for the morning march was certainly bright: the blue sky welcomed us–a crowd of perhaps 50 or so men and women representing all ages and parts of the community–as we gathered around a pickup truck blaring pump-up jams at 39th and Rainier Avenue in Columbia City. Waiting for our cue to begin walking, we rehearsed chants led by women from Gabriela, a local Filipina collective working toward gender justice, who helped put on the Women Who Rock (un)conference today.

And then it was time: the half-mile stretch felt surprisingly short as we pranced powerfully down Rainier Avenue toward the cultural center, waving signs and shouting and singing as loudly as we could. It was a very powerful feeling to make my voice heard, but also to band together with others in such a concrete manner. People noticed us today, and regardless of whether or not they listened to our message of equality and justice for all, they certainly heard us.

– Molly Warinsky, Group 16

Talking to lead activists organizing and volunteering at this event, a common theme of the (un)conference today was the idea of desiring a safe space to express individual and communal ideas and values. Through Women Who Rock, a community has been made that emits the appreciation for the creation of this safe space where families, community members, children, females and males alike celebrate the uniqueness of diversity and the similarity of music-lovers everywhere . Graduate students attending school in California wish to expand the values that this safe space created today as we strive to bring equity to men and women alike across physical and mental barriers constructed by societal norms. This space urges for the individual to speak out as a community member and advocate and appreciates any and all helping hands in the quest for justice.

Wrapping up the conference in a flurry of child’s legs running freely over the now blank stage, the energy of the success of the day is palpable. Fluffy tutus are jammed into plastic bags and smiles and laughter celebrate the work of a day well-done. A young child falls asleep in her fathers’ arms while he finishes a generous slice of cake and begins to take down the music wall at the back of the hall. Outside through the backstage door I ask a woman who is responsible for the organization of this event and as she laughs good-heartedly she tells me “Oh it’s all of us, but that rockstar over there gave us the empowerment to let us, do us, all day long.” Pointing to a exhausted but ecstatic African American woman on the other side of the room, I make my way over to introduce myself and congratulate her on her amazing work, curious of how an event like this started. Good vibes permeate the scene and although the (un)conference may be over, rockin social justice never ends.

The steps of the fandango steppers symbolize the steps of our ancestors who led the way for us to be in this space. Some recent, some distant, some ourselves, we all came into this space to honor the present, pat and future.

The Seattle women steel-pan drummers also honor the everlasting unifying power of music, filling the participants bodies with colorful movement. Playing a song that represented the new ownership of this music by women, these beautifully talented women epitomize just that. Multigenerational, multicultural, the intersectionality in this group is inspiring and accessible. 

–Mercedes

This unconference is an event that brings the community together. Outside of the cultural center there are tables set up where a group of young kids work together to make cultural food for people that are interested in trying something different. Further out on the field there was a group of Latinos playing their instruments and the ladies are teaching each other the traditional dance. There are many instruments laid out on the field for anyone to join; this is not excluded for just Latinos. This shows the diversity within the group. There are also little kids around that joined in on the fun. Inside the cultural center kids participated in learning what each organization did. They were also enthused to try new things out and create artwork. This is such a great event created for everyone to participate in.  I hope that it can continue for many more years to come.

“No justice, no peace, no racist police!” Dejo una mujere muy joven. Aqui estan jente de todas partes y de todos differente colores. Ay jente que cantan, bilan, y jente que vienen a supportar y hacer una buena infulencia para otra jente. A woman from Mexico City said some very simple, but wise words. “Your life matters”. She talked about her experiences in Mexico and how she was tortured and not privileged with the same things we are in this country regarding sexuality and it was very inspiring. She is one of the many people at the even who came not only to talk about music, but to influence the world around them, and they are able to use music as a tool for expression, bring people together, and sending out positive messages.

-Heaven Aguilar

There are a lot of things to see at this unconference. I start my visit downstairs at the cultural center. This is a session called a skill swap; where groups come together to teach others about the purpose of their group. There are many different tables set for each group. I have encountered a group that focuses on Zaps. They are encouraging every one of every age to use their imagination to create a comic. They have laid out tutorials to teach everyone how to create a comic within one page. There is a separate table where a mother is focusing on publishing books of all types. She even published a book that her youngest daughter wrote. She spoke about convincing her mother to write a book because her mother never thought of herself as a writer.  She said the purpose of this was so that people can show others their voice in a different light.

Indigenous emcee Sista Hailstorm graced the stage during the morning session. She described women as “the womb, the power, [and] the strength,” a power needed to affect the kind of structural and spiritual change that our communities so desperately need. She called for us to honor our ancestral legacies of struggle to get to a place of healing. In celebrating our influence as women to alter realities and envision new possibilities, Hailstorm reminds us that our struggles across communities should never be compared and that we need to bridge our shared oppressions to affect change. “It’s not about a victimization marathon,” says Hailstorm, challenging the stale model of oppression olympics in organizing. “We need to retrain our minds, bodies and spirits.” Communities of sound are spaces for this kind of sacred healing, like Seattle’s vibrant hip hop scene represented by organizations like 206 Zulu (which Hailstorm represents) and the efforts to build ‘convivencia’ by the Seattle Fandango Project. Hailstorm embodied the essence of what WWR is all about – making scenes and building communities.

Image Source: MySpace

Although T-shirt making was not the focus of the event, I still felt the need to discuss this station. Firstly, the machine that was used for the t-shirts was made by a young women at her house. This was a contraption I had never witnessed and it worked successfully every time she used it. She also explained how I could attempt to recreate the machine and possibly use it as a fundraiser at my school for my organization Sisterhood. She was very friendly a gave positive vibes. I noticed a sign that stated suggested donations, and even after all my questions and comments she didn’t mention the price. I gave her money anyways and I know she appreciated it. Another station that was very unique was the painting canvases, they were all very authentic and looked very detailed. Overall whether you were buying merchandise or engaging in conversation, everyone volunteering was friendly and social. I even got a few pictures taken.

–   Tryakel Anderson