Ella's Tradition
So, what does it mean to organize and work in Ella Baker's tradition?
We are a loose network of women who respect and admire Baker’s legacy, and are either interested in or already engaged in work that represents a continuation of her democratic, egalitarian humanistic tradition. We do not want to reinvent the wheel or duplicate or compete in any way with existing efforts. An argument can be made that the potential for a renewed progressive movement already exists and is embedded in the local trench work of organizers like Ella Baker.
Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, leaders of the activist organization Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) have been granted bail
Posted November 6, 2008
Jenni Williams and Magodonga Mahlangu, leaders of the activist
organization Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), were granted bail this
afternoon after being arrested on October 16, 2008 and unlawfully detained
at the Bulawayo Remand Prison. They were arrested after participating in
a peaceful protest in Bulawayo in which they demanded immediate access to
much needed food in Zimbabwe. WOZA members were ill-treated while in
custody.
WOZA declares a national disaster and demands food for all Zimbabweans in Bulawayo today - 9 arrested
Press statement - Women of Zimbabwe Arise
16th October 2008 1pm
Hundreds of members of Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA) and Men of Zimbabwe Arise (MOZA) took to the streets of Bulawayo this morning, marching for several blocks to Mhlahlandlela Government Complex to declare a national disaster and demand immediate food aid for all Zimbabweans. Nine members have been arrested at the time of this release.
On arrival at the Government Complex, the group of approximately 200 sat down outside the gates whilst a delegation of four elderly women went in to request that the Regional Department Heads of all the service departments come out and address the crowd on what is being done to alleviate the humanitarian crisis facing the country.
Wall Street Takes Welfare It Begrudges to Ordinary Americans
By Mimi Abramowitz (posted on Alternet)
Why is it that the rich and reckless accept "welfare" for themselves while rejecting it for those who need it most, particularly woman?
Today we sit and watch as the high-rolling gamblers and critics of "big government" take welfare. These are many of the same people who thought it was just fine to deprive millions of women of critical resources and let them fend for themselves.
Even before the catastrophic news out of Wall Street in recent days, women have been worried about their economic security. Read More
The Ella's Daughters' Social Justice Quilt Project
In collaboration with individual activists and organizations dedicated to social justice and social change.
A quilted patch is vestige of wholeness that stands as a sign of loss and challenge to creative design. As a reminder or remnant, the patch may symbolize rupture and impoverishment; it may be defined by the faded glory of the already gone. It constitutes survival strategy and a response to chaos.
Read more: The Ella's Daughters' Social Justice Quilt Project
Ella's Daughters has agreed to help facilitate dialogue about ARC109
Ella's Daughters has agreed to help facilitate dialogue about ARC109, a document that offers a framework for social change in the Post-Bush era. The ARC is for A movement Re-imagining Change. The number 109 is January, 2009 which is a new date of departure, a date that urges us to look forward rather than backwards and emphasizes hope over fear. Please circulate this document and let us know what you think.
We are encouraging people to host dinners and breakfasts to talk over the ten points listed on the document. This is also a way to begin to talk across our various lines of difference to invite environmentalists to engage issues of racism and homophobia and to encourage disability rights activists to talk about Israel and Palestine and the war in Iraq. ARC 109 was crafted by a group of Chicago-based activists involved in labor, human rights, feminist, anti-racist and Middle East peace work.
You may download the ARC109 document HERE.
Ella's Daughters in ColorLines
There is a profile of Ellas Daughters in the January-February 2008 edition of ColorLines.
In our second annual installment, ColorLines profiles a selection of people of color working for justice—and doing it with creativity, passion and humor. We feature among them an urban farmer who wants to feed the world, a journalist taking on racists with satire, a playwright whose monologue sears our collective memory with the experiences of Katrina survivors, and a team of organizers who pulled off an amazing feat of logistical coordination and political discipline to hold the first U.S. Social Forum. Read on for these stories of hope and patience, and enjoy.
To download a PDF version please click HERE.
