Friday, July 30, 2010
Monday, June 14, 2010
Miss Exotic World 2010
What does a girl do when she's turning 29, dreading 30, and unhappy with her position in life?
Head to Vegas, of course!
Last week, I packed up and went to Vegas to celebrate my 29th birthday and to attend the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend. The event consists of show kicking off the weekend, a show celebrating the legends of burlesque ("The Titans of Tease"), and culminates in the pagent for Miss Exotic World a/k/a The Reigning Queen of Burlesque. There is also a closing night event.
My first night there I barely had time to check in and shimmy into a dress and stilettos before heading to the kick off event. Entering the showroom at The Plaza hotel, where all of the shows were to be held, I was stunned by how many different kinds of ladies were in attendance. Women of all different races, shapes, sizes, and gender expressions (from high femme to uber butch) were there. What struck me the most was how comfortable everyone seemed in their own skin. Chicago's own Frenchie Kiss rocked the show, presenting her homage to the Flight of the Conchords. It was a great start to a glitter filled weekend.
Friday brought the ribbon cutting at the Hall of Fame, which was founded by burlesque legend Dixie Evans. It houses memorabilia from legends of the past, like Gypsy Rose Lee, and photos of current burlesque legends and winners of Miss Exotic World. The Hall has been a long time coming, and is very exciting to see it finally getting off the ground.
Friday evening brought the very exciting - and very long - Titans of Tease program. Performances and interviews with living legends like Satan's Angel and Candy "Baby" Caramelo were intertwined with performances by current legends, including Karl Lagerfeld's most recent muse Dirty Martini and the author of the recently released book The Burlesque Handbook Jo "Boobs" Weldon, who did a stunning tribute to Gypsy Rose Lee.
Saturday was the big event! A standing room only audience sat on the edge of our seats anxious to find out who would be crowned Miss Exotic World 2010. The host, Miss Astrid (seen here oficiating a wedding at last year's event) was one of the funniest, sharpest MC's I have seen in ages. In addition to her quick wit, she had the audience recite a pledge stating that we were all feminists and as such recognized that participating in a pagent is deeply ironic, and accordingly we promised to have fun. Hearing an entire showroom declare themselves to be feminists was just as thrilling as seeing all of the rhinestones, glitter and pasties that filled the evening.
The winners of the evening were all very deserving. New York's Miss Tickle took the trophy for Best Debut (the category for, as Miss Atrid put it, "when we don't know who the fuck you are"). Best Group went to the amazing Chicago Starlets for their charming painter's number. The new Reigning King of Burlesque was awarded to The Evil Hate Monkey (the cutest hateful thing since Gremlins), and Best Variety went to Lola Martinet and Tila Von Twirl, also from Chicago.
The competition for Miss Exotic World 2010 was stiff. One of my favorite performers, Nasty Canasta did a high-tech routine referencing The Portrait of Dorian Gray (and came in 2nd runner up!). Midnite Martini presented a stunning routine that showcased her flexibility and amazing strength (the fact that she teaches aerial burlesque makes me want to move to Seattle!). The winner, Roxi D'lite wowed with a routine featuring giant lit cigar and a dress made seemingly all of glitter.
By the time I boarded the plane to head back to Chicago, I had seen over 11 hours of burlesque dance, and had a brand new appreciation for art and the community it can foster among women. I can't wait for next year!
Head to Vegas, of course!
Last week, I packed up and went to Vegas to celebrate my 29th birthday and to attend the Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekend. The event consists of show kicking off the weekend, a show celebrating the legends of burlesque ("The Titans of Tease"), and culminates in the pagent for Miss Exotic World a/k/a The Reigning Queen of Burlesque. There is also a closing night event.
My first night there I barely had time to check in and shimmy into a dress and stilettos before heading to the kick off event. Entering the showroom at The Plaza hotel, where all of the shows were to be held, I was stunned by how many different kinds of ladies were in attendance. Women of all different races, shapes, sizes, and gender expressions (from high femme to uber butch) were there. What struck me the most was how comfortable everyone seemed in their own skin. Chicago's own Frenchie Kiss rocked the show, presenting her homage to the Flight of the Conchords. It was a great start to a glitter filled weekend.
Friday brought the ribbon cutting at the Hall of Fame, which was founded by burlesque legend Dixie Evans. It houses memorabilia from legends of the past, like Gypsy Rose Lee, and photos of current burlesque legends and winners of Miss Exotic World. The Hall has been a long time coming, and is very exciting to see it finally getting off the ground.
Friday evening brought the very exciting - and very long - Titans of Tease program. Performances and interviews with living legends like Satan's Angel and Candy "Baby" Caramelo were intertwined with performances by current legends, including Karl Lagerfeld's most recent muse Dirty Martini and the author of the recently released book The Burlesque Handbook Jo "Boobs" Weldon, who did a stunning tribute to Gypsy Rose Lee.
Saturday was the big event! A standing room only audience sat on the edge of our seats anxious to find out who would be crowned Miss Exotic World 2010. The host, Miss Astrid (seen here oficiating a wedding at last year's event) was one of the funniest, sharpest MC's I have seen in ages. In addition to her quick wit, she had the audience recite a pledge stating that we were all feminists and as such recognized that participating in a pagent is deeply ironic, and accordingly we promised to have fun. Hearing an entire showroom declare themselves to be feminists was just as thrilling as seeing all of the rhinestones, glitter and pasties that filled the evening.
The winners of the evening were all very deserving. New York's Miss Tickle took the trophy for Best Debut (the category for, as Miss Atrid put it, "when we don't know who the fuck you are"). Best Group went to the amazing Chicago Starlets for their charming painter's number. The new Reigning King of Burlesque was awarded to The Evil Hate Monkey (the cutest hateful thing since Gremlins), and Best Variety went to Lola Martinet and Tila Von Twirl, also from Chicago.
The competition for Miss Exotic World 2010 was stiff. One of my favorite performers, Nasty Canasta did a high-tech routine referencing The Portrait of Dorian Gray (and came in 2nd runner up!). Midnite Martini presented a stunning routine that showcased her flexibility and amazing strength (the fact that she teaches aerial burlesque makes me want to move to Seattle!). The winner, Roxi D'lite wowed with a routine featuring giant lit cigar and a dress made seemingly all of glitter.
By the time I boarded the plane to head back to Chicago, I had seen over 11 hours of burlesque dance, and had a brand new appreciation for art and the community it can foster among women. I can't wait for next year!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Vixens with Vinyl
A vintage photo gallery of Chicks-n-Records, thanks to Retrospace.
(I liked the title "Chicks with Discs" better.)
(I liked the title "Chicks with Discs" better.)
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Feminist Action Figures - Bronte Sisters Power Up!
I was tipped off to this YouTube gem from my friend and fan of the Bronte sisters, Tarina yesterday. If only there were feminist action figures!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
From a first class lady who left us today -
"You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way."
- Lena Horne
"You have to be taught to be second class; you're not born that way."
- Lena Horne
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Happy Mother's Day!
Buy at AllPosters.comHappy Mother's Day to all the moms, stepmoms, grandmas, godmothers, aunts, and like-a-moms reading today! We also remember today all the wonderful women we've lost, especially Pat, and know that they live on in us.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Happy Birthday to The Pill!
This week marks the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granting approval to the birth control pill, a decision which revolutionized women's reproductive health. The domino effect of the availability of reliable birth control in this country was wide-ranging. Single women could embrace their sexuality without fear of pregnancy and married couples could plan if and when they wanted to start a family. How many marriages were strengthened or saved, and how many bad marriages prevented in the first place, we will never know. But beyond the biological effect of The Pill, in a time where women could be fired from their jobs simply for getting pregnant, it meant that women could think long term about college, post-graduate studies, career plans, travel, and anything else that they wished to achieve or do in their lives. In this way, the ability to choose when and if to have children resulted in more women going to college and becoming doctors, lawyers and scientists, more women going further in the field of business, more women being free to dedicate their early career years to more challenging work or service opportunities... all of which undoubtedly improved the standard of living of their families as well. Plus, when those women did decide to have families, they were much more likely to be in stable marriages and less likely to be living in poverty.
One outspoken woman who heartily embraced The Pill was the legendary singer Loretta Lynn. Married at 14 years old and a mom of four by the age of 17, Loretta's 1974 song "The Pill" was the first to discuss the subject, and it did so from a very personal perspective of a woman tired of being pregnant every year. Though it was banned at my radio stations, Loretta was later told by doctors working in rural areas that it had done more to increase awareness of the pill's availability than anything else - something no doubt Loretta had in mind when writing a song that would speak to her own background. Here now is Loretta Lynn with "The Pill" -
One outspoken woman who heartily embraced The Pill was the legendary singer Loretta Lynn. Married at 14 years old and a mom of four by the age of 17, Loretta's 1974 song "The Pill" was the first to discuss the subject, and it did so from a very personal perspective of a woman tired of being pregnant every year. Though it was banned at my radio stations, Loretta was later told by doctors working in rural areas that it had done more to increase awareness of the pill's availability than anything else - something no doubt Loretta had in mind when writing a song that would speak to her own background. Here now is Loretta Lynn with "The Pill" -
Friday, May 7, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
Whatever women do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good.
Luckily, this is not difficult.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
My First Time
In today's Los Angeles Times, music critic David Ulin had a charming article about taking his daughter to see her favorite pop star Taylor Swift play the Staples Center. The article captures that spark we get as youth seeing the artist we idolize play live, when we finally feel alive, energized and like nothing will ever be the same. I love that her dad was with her for it, and it reminded me of my first concert, which my mom took me to when I was 14. As a side note, I found the article through my favorite feminist news/culture site Jezebel, and the stories in the comments are great, too.
As readers of this blog/former listeners of the show know, Tori Amos is my number one, all time favorite artist forever and ever, amen. My fandom started during my freshman year of high school, when I would listen to Boys for Pele on repeat in the dark, burning incense and brooding. I was a charming teen.
When I found out that she was going to be playing the week of my birthday, I decided that I HAD to go. I had been denied access to seeing Hole and Garbage, but nothing was going to stand in the way of my seeing Tori. My parents were rather strict, so my mother insisted on listening to the disc before giving me permission. I was a little nervous, as the lyrics to the songs, not to mention the racy liner photos, might give her pause. Luckily Amos' singing is so breathy that my mother missed most of the dirty parts and agreed to take me. I think it helped that the show was in a theater, and she plays piano. It was decided that she would take my sister and I and we could each bring a friend. I was psyched.
The day tickets went on sale we sat around the kitchen table waiting for the clock to hit 10:00 a.m. so we could call Ticketmaster. Even just calling for tickets made me heady. Not only was I excited to see Tori play live, I was excited to see my first concert, period. I was so grown up!
The drive there felt like the longest drive of my life. I can still remember the butterflies I felt when we walked to our row, nosebleed seats in the top of the Rosemont theater. She played heavily from Boys for Pele and I don't think I breathed through the entire set. I definitly cried and had that rush of thinking that it was the Most Important Night of All Time. Eating at Dennys afterwards, I was pretty sure my mom was the coolest mom ever.
Of all the firsts young women go through, I think the first concert (or first time seeing an artist you truly, truly love) is near the top of the list of potentially life changing events. The feeling of community, of connection and exhiliration - it just can't be beat. Cheers to Ulin for helping his daughter experience that, and here's to all the parents who got our fandom and let us have our moment, our Most Important Night of All Time.
As readers of this blog/former listeners of the show know, Tori Amos is my number one, all time favorite artist forever and ever, amen. My fandom started during my freshman year of high school, when I would listen to Boys for Pele on repeat in the dark, burning incense and brooding. I was a charming teen.
When I found out that she was going to be playing the week of my birthday, I decided that I HAD to go. I had been denied access to seeing Hole and Garbage, but nothing was going to stand in the way of my seeing Tori. My parents were rather strict, so my mother insisted on listening to the disc before giving me permission. I was a little nervous, as the lyrics to the songs, not to mention the racy liner photos, might give her pause. Luckily Amos' singing is so breathy that my mother missed most of the dirty parts and agreed to take me. I think it helped that the show was in a theater, and she plays piano. It was decided that she would take my sister and I and we could each bring a friend. I was psyched.
The day tickets went on sale we sat around the kitchen table waiting for the clock to hit 10:00 a.m. so we could call Ticketmaster. Even just calling for tickets made me heady. Not only was I excited to see Tori play live, I was excited to see my first concert, period. I was so grown up!
The drive there felt like the longest drive of my life. I can still remember the butterflies I felt when we walked to our row, nosebleed seats in the top of the Rosemont theater. She played heavily from Boys for Pele and I don't think I breathed through the entire set. I definitly cried and had that rush of thinking that it was the Most Important Night of All Time. Eating at Dennys afterwards, I was pretty sure my mom was the coolest mom ever.
Of all the firsts young women go through, I think the first concert (or first time seeing an artist you truly, truly love) is near the top of the list of potentially life changing events. The feeling of community, of connection and exhiliration - it just can't be beat. Cheers to Ulin for helping his daughter experience that, and here's to all the parents who got our fandom and let us have our moment, our Most Important Night of All Time.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
A Festival For the Rest of Y'All
Summer is quickly approaching and with it comes more music festivals than you can shake a stick at. Chicago is home to festivals of all shapes and sizes, from street fairs hosting a bunch of music, to the stages at Taste of Chicago, to huge festivals like Pitchfork and Lollapalooza. Traveling festivals like the Vans Warped Tour and Lilith Fair will be swinging by nearby suburbs on their tours around the country.
Out of these, Lollapalooza is the largest, both in size and in stature. With 3 days, 91 bands and 34 DJs, and hundreds of thousands of attendees, it is a force to be reckoned with. Bands and artists who play Lolla have the chance to up their fame level and reach out to people who may have never heard their music before. I'm sorry, let me amend that - male bands and artists will have the chance to reach out to new fans. Because, much like last year, Lollapalooza is heavy on the dudes and light on the ladies. Of the 91 bands, 70 are all male and only 21 are female artists or bands with at least 1 female member. Of the 34 DJs, 30 are male and 4 are female.
With numbers like these, one would guess that there just aren't that many women involved in music. Perhaps they are stuck at home, churning the butter and making babies. But that just isn't the case. There are plenty of women, both musicians and DJs, to pick from. In 2010, the music industry is still an old boys club, and its biggest party of the summer, Lollapalooza, is a prime example of how rocking out with your co*k out still reigns supreme.
At least this summer we see the return of Lilith Fair. Started in the 1990s as an answer to male dominated summer tours, the need for an all female event is just as crucial today as it was then. And with an incredibly diverse touring lineup - depending on the city you could see folk, indie, pop, country, hip hop and soul all in one day - Lilith Fair is a refreshing answer to the phallocentric, hipster heavy festivals elsewhere.
Out of these, Lollapalooza is the largest, both in size and in stature. With 3 days, 91 bands and 34 DJs, and hundreds of thousands of attendees, it is a force to be reckoned with. Bands and artists who play Lolla have the chance to up their fame level and reach out to people who may have never heard their music before. I'm sorry, let me amend that - male bands and artists will have the chance to reach out to new fans. Because, much like last year, Lollapalooza is heavy on the dudes and light on the ladies. Of the 91 bands, 70 are all male and only 21 are female artists or bands with at least 1 female member. Of the 34 DJs, 30 are male and 4 are female.
With numbers like these, one would guess that there just aren't that many women involved in music. Perhaps they are stuck at home, churning the butter and making babies. But that just isn't the case. There are plenty of women, both musicians and DJs, to pick from. In 2010, the music industry is still an old boys club, and its biggest party of the summer, Lollapalooza, is a prime example of how rocking out with your co*k out still reigns supreme.
At least this summer we see the return of Lilith Fair. Started in the 1990s as an answer to male dominated summer tours, the need for an all female event is just as crucial today as it was then. And with an incredibly diverse touring lineup - depending on the city you could see folk, indie, pop, country, hip hop and soul all in one day - Lilith Fair is a refreshing answer to the phallocentric, hipster heavy festivals elsewhere.
Take Action on Equal Pay Day!
Equal Pay Day is today, and while I would wish you a happy one, its not a holiday for being happy. Equal Pay Day is a symbolic date when women's earnings into a second year finally catch up to the salary made by men in the previous year. While there's been some narrowing of the gap between men and women's pay in the last decade or so, it's unfortunately more attributable to more static salaries for men than increases for women. Over the course of her lifetime, the average women could loose out on over $700,000 or more in pay due to this inequity, an amount that makes a significant real world impact on things like retirement security, mortgage foreclosures, and quality of life, particularly as a woman gets older.
The good news is that the Paycheck Fairness Act is currently pending in the Senate, and you can help pass the Paycheck Fairness Act by writing to your Senators. Do it today!
Monday, April 19, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Video Fridays: Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
How about the new video from Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, "Tell Me"?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.
I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."
-Mother Teresa
I just wish that He didn't trust me so much."
-Mother Teresa
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights is THIS WEEKEND!
If you've never been to the CHIRP Record Fair & Other Delights, you don't know what you're missing! Picture aisle after aisle of vinyl and CDs, just waiting for you to love them and take them home. Plus, there's beer and snacks, and live music and DJs! Best of all, it all benefits the Chicago Independent Radio Project and CHIRPradio.org. Hot tip: Print out this page, and you'll get a discount on admission!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Monday, March 29, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
"I've been a man many times. That's what I'm trying to atone for now."
- Helen Reddy, apparent believer in reincarnation
- Helen Reddy, apparent believer in reincarnation
Monday, March 22, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
"No matter the fight, don't be ladylike!
God almighty made women, and the Rockefeller gang of thieves made the ladies. "
- Mother Jones, labor organizer and co-founder of IWW
God almighty made women, and the Rockefeller gang of thieves made the ladies. "
- Mother Jones, labor organizer and co-founder of IWW
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
A hearty happy St. Patrick's Day to you and yours! Don't you wish there really was a vending machine for green beer? Maybe that's just my Irish side talking... Have a great day!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Lilith Fair Chicago Date Info Revealed
Some information has leaked out regarding the upcoming return of Lilith Fair this summer. The Chicago date will be Saturday, July 17th, at the First Midwest Theatre. The lineup for Chicago so far includes Cat Power, Heart, Kate Nash, Kelly Clarkson, La Roux, Mary J Blige, Meaghan Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Vedera , and Vita Chambers, plus a yet to be determined local band.
Yes, that's the same weekend as Pitchfork Festival - kind of a bad scheduling call, in my opinion, as plenty of folks going to Pitchfork would probably have wanted to see Lilith. For more information, check out the Lilith Facebook page.
Yes, that's the same weekend as Pitchfork Festival - kind of a bad scheduling call, in my opinion, as plenty of folks going to Pitchfork would probably have wanted to see Lilith. For more information, check out the Lilith Facebook page.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
"Be bold. If you're going to make an error, make a doozy,
and don't be afraid to hit the ball."
- Billie Jean King, tennis ace and advocate for women in sports
and don't be afraid to hit the ball."
- Billie Jean King, tennis ace and advocate for women in sports
Friday, March 12, 2010
Video Fridays: Bjork's Triumph of a Heart
This week's video is from our girl Bjork. Happy Friday everyone!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Happy International Women's Day!
Today, March 8th, has been designated as International Women's Day by the United Nations, with the goal of drawing attention to the political and human rights of women. I am especially grateful this day to the women I know who have fought in ways large and small to make the world a better place for women and girls. I hope if you, like me, know one of those women, you will thank them today.
The ONE organization, a group at the forefront in the fight against extreme poverty, launched a Women One2One campaign today to help women empower each other around the world. Here, they share a video of one girl's story of the urgent need for health care around the world. Watch it, and get involved!
The ONE organization, a group at the forefront in the fight against extreme poverty, launched a Women One2One campaign today to help women empower each other around the world. Here, they share a video of one girl's story of the urgent need for health care around the world. Watch it, and get involved!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
"You know, when I first went into the movies Lionel Barrymore played my grandfather. Later he played my father and finally he played my husband. If he had lived I'm sure I would have played his mother. That's the way it is in Hollywood. The men get younger and the women get older."
- Lillian Gish
- Lillian Gish
Friday, February 26, 2010
Video Fridays: Transparence by Asobi Seksu
I love the sunshine-like quality to this song and video - especially as we're on the cusp of Spring in Chicago right now, this song just seems appropriate today. Enjoy Asobi Seksu!
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
New Single From New Pornographers Released!
The New Pornographers have released the first single from their new album, Together, for free download! Click here to download and listen to the song, "Your Hands (Together)". I know its just the first song, but I'm already pretty sure I'm going to love this album!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Wiity Women: Quote of the Week
“Girls playing sports is not about winning gold medals. It’s about self-esteem, learning to compete and learning how hard you have to work in order to achieve your goals.”
- Jackie Joyner-Kersee
And hey, speaking of girls and gold medals how about those U.S. female Olympians this year? Already Hannah Kearney (pictured above) became the first person on the U.S. team to get a gold medal, in women's moguls freestyle skiing, and we've been tipped that the U.S. women's snowboarding and hockey teams are heavily favored as well. Hurrah for growing equity in sports!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Day!
Buy at AllPosters.com
From all the ladies of WOW to you, a very Happy Valentine's Day! We hope that your day is filled with love of family, friends, pets and perhaps a special valentine too!
While St. Valentine's day has come to be a day celebrating romantic love, the origins of the holiday relate to a Roman Catholic priest who was a political prisoner and martyr. According to legend, just before he was sentenced to death, St. Valentine performed a miracle by healing the blind daughter of his jailer, and wrote her a letter which he signed "from your Valentine".
While St. Valentine lived hundreds of years ago, today there are still many political prisoners around the world who need our help. I've always believed that the best Valentine's Day tribute is to write a "valentine" of support for a prisoner somewhere in the world. To that end, I encourage you to take a few minutes to visit the easy to use online action center at Amnesty International, where there is a long list of women who are currently imprisoned around the world for speaking out for women's rights. Your voice can make a difference!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Primary Election Day In Illinois - Get Out The Vote!
Buy at AllPosters.com
Just a reminder that today is the primary election in the state of Illinois, so get out there and vote! For information on your polling place, visit http://www.chicagoelections.com. The polls are open from 6am to 7pm, and if you are in line at 7pm you are legally allowed to vote.
I often think of my grandma on election days. She was a diligent voter in every single election, large or small, that ever happened in her life, and was the first person to advise me the first time I voted at age 18 - all else being equal, she said, vote for the woman, and if there's not a woman, vote for the one with the Irish sounding name. Still, I think, pretty good advice. When she was born in Iowa in 1913, women did not yet have the right to vote. Her own mother, my great-grandma, wasn't able to cast a vote until she was almost 40 years old. So I consider my voting every election day another way of honoring them. And speaking of honoring other great women, take a look at the photo above you of Afghan women lining up to vote at the polls, at great risk of violence from extremists. Surely we can brave a few snowflakes today to honor those who have in America's past, and in current day around the world, chosen to brave so much more that just bad weather for the right to vote.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
"You were born God's original. Try not to become someone's copy."
- Marian Wright Edelman (founder of the Children's Defense Fund)
- Marian Wright Edelman (founder of the Children's Defense Fund)
Friday, January 29, 2010
Video Fridays: Charlotte Gainsbourg "Heaven Can Wait"
Charlotte's new album, Irm
, was just released and its already becoming one of my favorites of this winter. This video is for the single, Heaven Can Wait, and features Beck!
, was just released and its already becoming one of my favorites of this winter. This video is for the single, Heaven Can Wait, and features Beck!Monday, January 25, 2010
Nurture Wins
I had been planning a post for the blog on nature vs. nuture in regards to mother/daughter relationships for about a month. My biological mother, the woman who gave birth to me as a child, died when I was eight. I was raised by another woman, the woman who I called Mom, and had noticed that I was turning out a lot like her despite our lack of shared genetic material. I had some insights on growing up without a woman around to whom you could look to in terms of how you would age, and other rather shallow thoughts. Then on New Years Eve, I lost my Mom, the woman who gave birth to me as an adult, and that essay got scrapped for this one.
This blog seems a fitting place for a tribute to her not only because, as noted below, she was a guest on WOW, but because she was a strong, amazing feminist. She taught me how to struggle against anti-choicers, how to never be told to be quiet and instead to raise my voice as loud as I could. She, with my father, taught me about equality and partnership. She introduced me to Carole King's Tapestry, a record she would listen to in the dark times of her 20s, which then became a record I listen to in my dark times. I am listening to it right now, in fact.
My mother was a single mother in graduate school in her 20s, took on a second child in her 30s and went back to follow her dream of being a natural healer in her 40s. Her patients will tell you that she was an incredibly gifted acupunturist. I can attest to that too, as she saved me from what could have been a fatal allergy attack with her needles. She practiced yoga and loved chocolate and the movie The Birdcage. She had the biggest heart, and the most beautiful skin, of anyone I've ever known. She was the first person I would call when I had good news to share, and the first person I called when I had my heart broken - and she always picked up the phone, even at 2:00 in the morning. Especially at 2:00 in the morning.
As I grew older, I could see my mother struggling with balancing parenthood with friendship with feminism, and I can tell you it is a delicate balance. She watched both of us, my sister and I, fall off our paths more times than I care to think about and loved us regardless. She pushed me to go to law school but embraced me when I told her I didn't want to go into a traditional field. We had a complicated relationship, like most parents and children do, but I always knew she was there no matter what.
Her death has brought back some of the nature vs. nuture discussion. I can't imagine this feeling any less...biological, for the lack of a better word. It feels like my cells have changed. I can feel a very physical change in me, beyond the void that is made by missing my number one support. I was already inspired by the woman who helped make me who I am, and I am now determined to live by her cherished credos "Be the change you want to see in the world (Ghandi)" and "Kindness is my religion (Dalai Lama)". There is no doubt in my mind that, at least in our case, nurture won.
Among the many swirling thoughts I have had over the last month, I have been so saddened that I did not get more stories from her about her experiences as a woman and feminist. We had just started entering the phase of our relationship where I would share with her my darkest fears, my rage at inequality both personal and more global and she would tell me about her own struggles. Those late night conversations are my favorite memories, and what I will miss the most. If missing is the kind of thing you can quantify.
If you still have your mom, I encourage you to get her stories. Bring her some chocolate and get her talking. And then hold those stories, and her, close to your heart.
This blog seems a fitting place for a tribute to her not only because, as noted below, she was a guest on WOW, but because she was a strong, amazing feminist. She taught me how to struggle against anti-choicers, how to never be told to be quiet and instead to raise my voice as loud as I could. She, with my father, taught me about equality and partnership. She introduced me to Carole King's Tapestry, a record she would listen to in the dark times of her 20s, which then became a record I listen to in my dark times. I am listening to it right now, in fact.
My mother was a single mother in graduate school in her 20s, took on a second child in her 30s and went back to follow her dream of being a natural healer in her 40s. Her patients will tell you that she was an incredibly gifted acupunturist. I can attest to that too, as she saved me from what could have been a fatal allergy attack with her needles. She practiced yoga and loved chocolate and the movie The Birdcage. She had the biggest heart, and the most beautiful skin, of anyone I've ever known. She was the first person I would call when I had good news to share, and the first person I called when I had my heart broken - and she always picked up the phone, even at 2:00 in the morning. Especially at 2:00 in the morning.
As I grew older, I could see my mother struggling with balancing parenthood with friendship with feminism, and I can tell you it is a delicate balance. She watched both of us, my sister and I, fall off our paths more times than I care to think about and loved us regardless. She pushed me to go to law school but embraced me when I told her I didn't want to go into a traditional field. We had a complicated relationship, like most parents and children do, but I always knew she was there no matter what.
Her death has brought back some of the nature vs. nuture discussion. I can't imagine this feeling any less...biological, for the lack of a better word. It feels like my cells have changed. I can feel a very physical change in me, beyond the void that is made by missing my number one support. I was already inspired by the woman who helped make me who I am, and I am now determined to live by her cherished credos "Be the change you want to see in the world (Ghandi)" and "Kindness is my religion (Dalai Lama)". There is no doubt in my mind that, at least in our case, nurture won.
Among the many swirling thoughts I have had over the last month, I have been so saddened that I did not get more stories from her about her experiences as a woman and feminist. We had just started entering the phase of our relationship where I would share with her my darkest fears, my rage at inequality both personal and more global and she would tell me about her own struggles. Those late night conversations are my favorite memories, and what I will miss the most. If missing is the kind of thing you can quantify.
If you still have your mom, I encourage you to get her stories. Bring her some chocolate and get her talking. And then hold those stories, and her, close to your heart.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Quote of the Week - Martin Luther King Jr
Today we remember the greatest American civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
"When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative."
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
CHIRPradio.org Launches Online Radio Station This Sunday!
The long wait is finally over, and after two and a half years of blood, sweat and tears, the Chicago Independent Radio Project will launch an online radio station this Sunday January 17th at noon! Chicago's only non-profit, volunteer-run, music-, arts-, and culture-focused radio station, CHIRPradio.org will broadcast live from studios in North Center from 6am to 3am seven days a week, 365 days a year - a remarkable feat for a group of music lovers, radio veterans and media activists who built the station step by step, literally and figuratively, all by themselves!
Emily, Elizabeth and I have all been involved with CHIRP since it's inception, and believe that community radio stations are a crucial part of a thriving democratic society. With a handful of large media conglomerates controlling nearly everything on the airwaves, few alternatives exist where alternative viewpoints and music can be heard. Access to the airwaves is a feminist issue - women comprise 51 percent of the country's population, but own just 6 percent of full power radio stations, according to a report from Free Press. In contrast, low power FM radio stations are run by community organizations, and tend to have far more diverse leadership and membership. (Fun fact: All of CHIRP's officers are women!) As CHIRP continues to advocate for the expansion of low power FM radio, they're going online to serve the community now with CHIRPradio.org.
Not only have the three ladies of WOW dedicated many hours of our life to CHIRP in the last few years, we're going to be on air as well! I'll be on every Sunday from 3pm to 6pm, and Emily will be on every Tuesday from 6pm to 9pm. Elizabeth won't be on air for now, but remains a CHIRP supporter too. We especially hope that those of you who listened to us on our previous radio station, WLUW, will follow us over to CHIRP and check out what we're up to these days!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Riot Grrrl History! Kathleen Hanna Papers at NYU Library
I have to admit that I felt a little bit old when I read that NYU Libraries had just acquired the Kathleen Hanna Papers as the first major acquisition in their Riot Grrrl Collection. Are we so old that riot grrrl now needs to be preserved in libraries? I guess so. But nonetheless, I think it's a great thing that Kathleen has donated her papers to be preserved for future generations of feminists. No one knows what might be in the papers yet, but it is presumed that they include some copies of her early zines Revolution Girl Style Now, Bikini Kill, and riotgrrrl, as well as correspondence and paperwork related to her long musical career in Bikini Kill and Le Tigre. You can bet that once the papers are sorted and cataloged, there will be a bevy of feminist scholars and women's studies students writing up a storm - and I can't wait to read it!
Monday, January 11, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Video Fridays: Aretha Franklin - Respect
In honor of Pat, here's some Aretha for you this Friday morning.
Remembering Pat
One of the most special times that we shared was when Elizabeth, Emily and I invited our moms onto our radio show on WLUW for Mother's Day a few years ago - we brought some music about mothers and daughters and invited them to bring their favorite female musicians as well. I fondly remember Pat telling us about her favorite female musician of all time, Aretha Franklin, and jokingly getting offended when we said we'd brought music "from our moms era, you know, older" because she insisted that they were all still "hip". Those hours with our moms remain among my favorite in all of the hours of radio I've done over the last fifteen years.
On behalf of Emily and myself, as well as the Chicago community radio community, we extend our sincere condolences to the family of Pat Bickett.
Photo: L-R: Kay, Emily, Jen, Colleen, Pat, Elizabeth
Monday, January 4, 2010
Witty Women: Quote of the Week
I wanted to be the first woman to burn her bra,
but it would have taken the fire department four days to put it out.
- Dolly Parton
but it would have taken the fire department four days to put it out.
- Dolly Parton
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
