Greetings all,

****UPDATE: ON THURSDAY NIGHT OF THE _________ MONOLOGUES, free childcare with be provided by the Q Center’s Director and their partner (and adorable lil child!), as well as some other Q Center employees.

We will have sheets for you to fill out to give us info on your children when you drop them off (important info like allergies, age, needs, etc!). Trustworthy queer parent/kid lovin’ folks able to watch your little ones – please email asuwomn@uw.edu if you’ll be attending with your babes and want them to looked after during The ___________ Monologues!

The ASUW Women’s Action Commission presents the FIRST EVER production of

The ___________ Monologues
previously known as The Vagina Monologues

The ___________ Monologues is an entirely student written and organized production featuring thirteen UW students. Cast members will share personal stories of survival, identity and resistance through a range of performances. As a challenge to the widely-known Vagina Monologues, The ___________ Monologues asserts that people can tell their own stories in their own voices. Please join us for a powerful evening of truth telling.

WHERE: Husky Union Building (HUB) Lyceum
4001 NE Stevens Way Seattle, WA 98195

WHEN: Doors @ 6:30pm, Show @ 7pm
Thursday, February 14th
Friday, February 15th
Saturday, February 16th

TICKETS: $5 w/ UW ID @ HUB Info Desk (starting Monday Feb. 4)
$7 General Public @ BrownPaperTickets (http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/323720)

Remaining tickets will be for sale at the door (but we recommend you buy in advance because we will most likely sell out!)
All proceeds will go to an awesome local/campus organization (TBA).
***For any folks unable to pay, free tickets are available, email asuwomn@uw.edu to reserve one. No questions, no class shaming, and no proof required. ♥

Co-sponsored by the Ethnic Cultural Center, The Q Center and The Women’s Center.

—

Directions and detailed accessibility info here: http://women.asuw.org/monologues/.

**The HUB’s front entrance is wheelchair accessible and the Lyceum is on the first floor, to the right of the main desk, at the end of the hallway.

**We ask that you do not wear scented/fragranced products (e.g. perfume, hair products) or essential oils the day of the event in order to make the event accessible to those with chemical injury or multiple chemical sensitivity. A section of scent-free seating will be available.

**At least one night will be ASL interpreted, most likely Friday. To request a specific night, email asuwomn@uw.edu by February 6th.

ASUW Women’s Action Commission presents

AN OPEN CALL FOR STORIES, TRUTHS AND VOICES
as a part of the production previously known the Vagina Monologues

For the past eleven years, the UW Vagina Monologues have been a powerful experience for many cast members and audiences in creating a space for stories to be shared and heard. While the monologues have historically done some work in shaking fundamental notions of “woman”, feminist, anti-racist, and queer critiques have challenged the monologues’ presentation of stories, diversity of voices, and handling of identity representations.

In an effort to use these critiques productively and open up space for narratives stretch the production to a new potential, we have decided to switch the script. This year’s production will be entirely student written and performed. We are excited to announce the first ever presentation of The __________ Monologues. And we want you to take part.

This production is hoping to center the experiences of women, trans*, genderqueer and gender non-conforming folks. Students of all races, classes, sexual orientations, minds, bodies, ages and religions are encouraged to audition.

The Monologues will occur on February 14th, 15th, 16th. If you are interested in participating, here are your next steps:

1) Read the in-depth process explaination and fill out this Catalyst survey: http://tinyurl.com/theblankmonologues.

2) Attend an Open Call session (you will chose your possible session dates on the catalyst survey)

3) Contact WAC with any questions, comments, critiques or clarifications.

NOTE: The catalyst survey will close on November 13th, at 11:45pm.

Thank you for reading. Spread the word.

Hellllooooooo, folks,

Hope October has been treating you well. The academic year is in full swing, so I hope you are also taking care of yourselves. Some activities that the WAC interns named as potential self-care acts were taking a bath, running, playing frisbee or journaling – maybe you could try a few of those as a way to take a break from school, work and extracurriculars?

We have begun our weekly organizing meetings. The team of WAC interns is sooo badass and we are already beginning planning on some major events and collaborations! If you ever want to attend our weekly meetings, they are on Tuesdays at 2:30p in the ASUW + hallway (outside the WAC office). Here is the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/358408104246999/

The WAC, and most of the Joint Commissions Committee, is helping to support the 2012 Election Event Series, All Dawgs Vote. These events include an Initiatives Forum, a Ballot Drop Event and an Election Viewing Party. For more details: https://www.facebook.com/events/512647972098492/

In other news, some of you might be wondering when you will receive more information about one of our largest events, the Vagina Monologues. I’m brimming with excitement to tell you that the event is going to be very different this year. It will be called The _________ Monologues, and it will be *gasp* all student-written! Eeeee, there will be more information soon! Keep checking on our website and Facebook for updates. 😉

I also wanted to share with you some amazing upcoming campus events and opportunities:

• PISC’s Oceania’s Week, This Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, various locations. Information here.
• classMATTERS Discussion Group, Wednesdays @ 6:30p in the UW Q Center (HUB 315). More info here.
• First Nations, Ethnic Cultural Center and M.E.Ch.A de UW present My Culture Is Not a Costume, Thursday, October 25th @ the ECC. More info here.
• SARVA Volunteer Application, due by December 2nd. Application here.
• ASUW SDC’s Disability History Month Celebration, Friday @ 4:30p in the UW Q Center. Info here.

Phew, so many rad events coming up. Check them out and don’t forget to VOTE!

Thanks for reading. As usual, please email me with critiques, questions or comments,

shelby

Greetings, folks,

Happy October! I hope you all enjoying the beautiful leaves, the surprising amount of sunshine and planning your creative (and anti-racist!) Halloween costumes. And if you haven’t already, remember that today is your LAST day to REGISTER TO VOTE! Register or update your information at this link: https://wei.sos.wa.gov/agency/osos/en/Pages/myvote.aspx

I’m excited to share with y’all an extremely rad event that we’re supporting this month. We’re honored to be co-sponsoring the Seattle Fandango Project and UW’s Convivencia: Convening Community’s upcoming workshop series, De Pie (On Our Feet) Healing Through Dance and Music//Sanando Atravez de la Musica y el Baile.

University of Washington
School of Music Rm 313
Wednesdays, October 10th & 17th @ 6PM
Seattle, WA

These two workshop sessions will be lead by Annahi (Saoco) Hernandez, a community organizer and bailadora/dancer within the fandango tradition. For more information on Annahi and the other events she will be facillitating through the Seattle Fandango Project, see the Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/508059552539967/

In other news, we are working hard to begin WAC meetings next week! So, stayed tuned if you would like to attend those weekly organizing sessions as a volunteer. The meeting time will be announced on our Facebook page. If you haven’t already liked the WAC, do it now: https://www.facebook.com/ASUW.Women

I also wanted to share with you some other upcoming campus events:

• The UW Women’s Center presents “She Asked For It!  Why We Like To Judge Rape Victims w/ Keynote Speaker Anne Munch”, Kane 120 on October 15th @ 5:30-7:30p. More info here.
• New Geographies of Feminist Art: China, Asia + the World (An International Conference), Kane Hall and Henry Art Gallery @ November 15-17th, Free registration and open to the public. More info and sign-ups here.
• Sexual Assault: Victim Rights & Support featuring Jennifer Storm, Kane Hall 140 on October 17th @ 7p.

As a final word, since today is the federal “holiday” called Columbus Day, I wanted to encourage everyone to reconsider the supposed celebration today marks. For more information, see this website: http://www.transformcolumbusday.org/faqtcd.html

Thanks for reading! Don’t hesitate to email, call or visit my office with any questions, comments, critiques or concerns.

shelby

Greetings, folks! Hope your first day back to school wasn’t too stressful and perhaps even a bit inspiring.

I’m Shelby Handler, the WAC Director for the coming year. Just to tell you a bit of where I’m coming from as an organizer, here are some words that I like to be upfront about in terms of my identity. I’m white, queer, middle-class, able-bodied, femme and jewish. I use they/them or she/her gender pronouns. If you are totally confused as to why all these words are listed or what gender pronouns are, don’t hesitate to ask. I’m a senior majoring in Gender, Women & Sexuality Studies and Creative Writing. Besides WAC, most of my organizing work has been with Manic Mouth Congress (https://www.facebook.com/manicmouth) and the UW Q Center (http://depts.washington.edu/qcenter/wordpress/). So, all this means that I value and seek to enact: intersectionality, arts activism, accountability, celebration, process-based organizing, brave spaces and critical solidarity. Again, if these fancy words are confusing you, don’t fret, just ask me what’s up. Also, there will be a glossary of terms up on the website very soon!

Anyways, I’m writing you to introduce myself but also to get y’all keyed into what’s coming up this year. Currently, all of ASUW is settling into the new HUB and we want YOU to come visit us! In the coming weeks, please stop by and introduce yourself. If you have things to hang on the WAC office walls, event ideas or resources to share, bring those too! I want your involvement, if you’re willing to honor the WAC with it.

Speaking of getting involved, here are some very concrete ways you can join the WAC’s upcoming efforts:

1. APPLY TO BE AN INTERN! The application and more information can be found at this link: https://catalyst.uw.edu/webq/survey/asuwomn/178826 The application closes on October 5th at 11:45 PM. Students of all gender identities, races, classes, sexual orientations, minds and bodies are encouraged to apply.
2. ATTEND OUR FIRST EVENT! This coming Wednesday, we are collaborating with A&E, BSC, ASA and STG to put together “Connecting Communities through Arts and Culture”, which will be a discussion on how you can better engage the community at UW and beyond. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/287643018007082/
3. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Go here: https://www.facebook.com/ASUW.Women
4. JOIN OUR MAILING LIST! You will only receive emails twice a month with updates. Enter your email here: https://mailman2.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/asuw_women
5. STOP BY THE WAC OFFICE! You can find me in HUB131R and my office hours are here: http://hours.asuw.org/

Those 5 ways to get involved should keep y’all busy. If you want more ways to connect with us or access resources, please don’t hesitate to email or call me. I welcome your concerns, critiques, questions or amazing jokes. I promise to do my best to serve y’all with spirit and honesty, and to find productive ways to improve and move forward.

Let us make this a transformative year! Sincerely,

shelby
asuwomn@uw.edu
303.513.9618
HUB131R

The WAC now has numerous possibilities to get involved!

1) Sign up to be a model in the “Everybody, Every Body” fashion show!
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=171255509634247

2) Sign up to audition for the “Vagina Monologues!”
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=315208455160969

3) Write your own monologue to be featured in the “Vagina Monologues!”
Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=270330603002345

4) Don’t like these options? Be a general volunteer or help behind the scenes on one of our programs!
Email asuwomn@uw.edu

5) Go to our events this month!
—“WAC Attack” meetings (weekly constituency meetings): Mondays at 3, Condon 511 B
—“Women and the Word”: Nov. 29th, 7-9 pm, Ethnic Cultural Theatre
(http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=140667542701685)
—Women’s Political Action Training: Nov. 17th, 6-8 pm, Savery 260
(event details TBA)

It has been a great start to the school year so far!  We’re planning several great upcoming events, including a Women’s Political Action Training in collaboration with the ASUW Office of Governmental Relations, to be held on November 17th from 5-7 pm in Savery 260. The Commission has also been in the Daily several times, on topics ranging from a bra drive to the fight to get more tampon dispensers on campus.
(For more information, visit dailyuw.com.)

WAC Attack meetings will be starting in November in Condon 511B; time and day of the week TBA.

As usual, if you are interested in getting involved in any future projects or have suggestions for an event, please email asuwomn@uw.edu!