Leadership and Community

Posted on March 7, 2015 by Bryonna.

during the panel discussion, a main topic was leadership. Zola Mumford stressed the quality of empathy as one of the most crucial principals of leadership. She also suggested that an important aspect of leadership is the passion to inspire and uplift, to ignite passion in ons followers, as well as advance towards collective liberating goals for everyone. Danae Harrison expressed how she looks for inspiration in those younger than her because as a young person in school, she found that her creative abilities were not embraced by those around her. Danae went on to say that Creating leadership opportunities for young people creates space for community.

-bryonna S. Group 17

What is leadership?

Posted on March 7, 2015 by taikodeb

The panelists were just asked this question, and they have great answers. One said “followers.” Sharon Maeda said, “Anyone can be a leader. Anyone can make a difference.” Lots of finger snapping in the audience — deep approval. Several panelists say they look to those younger than themselves for leadership. Zola Mumford said empathy is the most important element for a leader. How have they used media for social justice? Star Nayea notes organizing around the 2009 death of Native carver John T. Williams at the hands of the Seattle PD; Jacque Larrainzar holds up her smart phone and (channeling Woodie Guthrie) says, “This machine kills fascists”; mixtapes!; learning the skills from others, combining technical and political know-how.

“community is what makes us powerful”

Posted on March 7, 2015 by group15jellybean

The amount of work and organizing that goes into something like women who rock is astounding. Everyone involved is a community organizer, educator, and/or activist. The people who attend want to see change in their community and enjoy discussing ways to make this happen. This is what makes the unconference so powerful. It’s fluidity and relaxed energy transforms the cultural center into a host of creative ideas. Community is powerful and women who rock, believes it. Every individual matters, their stories are important and need to be hear. Women of color are often ignored, excluded, and set in the background. Unconferences like women who rock place women of color at the forefront, making their identities and experiences valid and the star of the experience. Through these photos we can see the audience moving things forward, listening intently to the panel discussion and marching through downtown Columbia city chanting things like, ‘no justice, no peace, no racist police!’ And, ‘we want justice for all women’. All important and all powerful, without a leader, systems of oppression can not focus on just one individual and get rid of them. We are all leaders. We are all leading it. Community is powerful.

Group 15

WWR Media Justice

Posted on March 7, 2015 by UncleDicap

Several moving stories were told by the panel that just came up. Starting with the “No justice No peace” chants at the start you could tell this was gonna be a serious section. The best story, to me, was the girl from Mexico City that as an activist in Mexico would be tortured but never stopped and nowadays as an activist in the U.S. gets rewarded with great project jobs, awards, and praise. The next girl also has a very good story, and she can sing very well. She said “If you walk the talk, dream big, and inspire yourself…..” She can look up to you, which is dope because individuality is everything whether it be life in general, music, or a movement, without leaders and individuals with unique ideas nothing gets done progressively.

Sharon Maeda

Posted on March 7, 2015 by taikodeb

An Asian American activista icon, right here on stage! She’s talking about doing the ground-level work and watching it being “undone” by the mainstream media. She’s talking about her important work with Pacifica Radio — a shout out to ‘Democracy Now!’. She says it’s important to “pay attention” to what’s going on and to find avenues for media justice — she says LPFM is the result of a long struggle. She says, “Whatever your issue is, media justice must be your second issue.”

Bringing street activism indoors!

Posted on March 7, 2015 by group15jellybean

Our panelist discussion moderators are powerful women of color activists working with women of color against systemic racism. They are leading a chant, ‘no justice no peace, no racist police’ and everyone is chanting along. This is power. This is movement. This is beauty. Aretha is one of the moderators; she is a student at UW Bothell and a strong outspoken ally who I have met at Black Lives Matter marches. Her words have always been uplifting and her actions have always been about strength. Seeing the papel picado and flores de papel surround the panelists creates an environment of safety and celebration. We are all celebrating our truths and the fact that we are all here together, sharing our experiences. Encouraging each other to change the world.

Group 15

The opening

Posted on March 7, 2015 by taikodeb

So great to see these powerful, imaginative, joyful, inspiring women up front!

The beginning of the panelists.

Posted on March 7, 2015 by ninanutterbutter10

Group 10

The theater is filling up with friends, musicians, and members of the community. The panel has just started with the creators of the event taking the stage. The atmosphere is electric with love, supportiveness, and depth. It’s sweet to see the community that is working together to bring the WWR goals into reality. There was a round of applause for all the people who have contributed to the scene so far. The community is only growing from here and the passion exhibited by many of the attendees is evident. It’s inspiring to hear the stories from when Women Who Rock just started and the origin of the name (un)conference. It sets the stage for women to feel empowered, have a safe place to express themselves, and have their voices heard.