Positioned as a focal point to galvanize positive action, Tiffany Shlain’s sculpture, Dendrofemonology – A Feminist History Tree Ring, inspired four days of exciting events on the National Mall in Washington, DC. A coalition of 20 feminist organizations gathered to present exciting programming, inspiring speakers, a feminist art parade and much more. After a year of planning, the exhibition was timed to inspire action and promote voter registration, community and coalition building for an election week that included 93,000 races – all of which had the potential to impact women’s rights, transgender rights, and reproductive freedoms – and highlighted the importance of civic engagement and working together to move gender equality forward.
Dr. Nancy and Frederique Irwin, President of the National Women’s History Museum were joined by a number of incredible allies including feminist trailblazer Dolores Huerta, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, Taste the Nation host Padma Lakshmi, Lynda Carter (the original Wonder Woman), Broadway performer and Drag Race star Miss Peppermint, the highest elected trans official Senator Sarah McBride, Justice for Black Girls Founder Brianna Baker, Students Demand Action activist Jasmine Minhas, President and CEO of the ERA Coalition Zakiya Thomas, and more.
“For far too long women’s voices, contributions, and accomplishments have been underrepresented in our national narrative, from classroom textbooks to the halls of Congress to right here on our National Mall,” Dr. Nancy said. “We’re excited to bring this installation and activation to Washington, D.C., in partnership with the National Women’s History Museum, and to ignite a national conversation about how, together, we can close the gender equity gap and create the future we want for the next generation.”
Dr. Nancy’s sentiments for creating a better future were echoed throughout the opening event. “When I think about the next milestone that will be written, I hope it will mark the moment that one of these beautiful, strong, smart, strategic young women – or fems – that are doing the work become the face and the voice of the generation that understands consent as a standard,” #MeToo founder Tarana Burke said.
“That sees black and brown girls that aren’t pushed out, but that are pulled in, and see and experience equity as a part of life,” she added. “That don’t have to claim resilience as a standout quality because we aren’t spending the better part of our lives surviving. If we can do that, then I see a more feminist future.”
Tiffany invited those named on DENDROFEMONOLOGY to bring a young activist of their choosing to the stage, and for Tarana, it was Brianna Baker, who echoed the day’s call for unity and forward movement, saying, “Too often in feminist movements we tell black girls and girls at large to believe that they can do absolutely anything, and then we send them out into a world that disrupts everything we tell them to believe about the world. So, we have to create a world that honors the fullness of girlhood.”
Each speaker’s call to action built the case for increased engagement and Zakiya Thomas, the President and CEO of the ERA Coalition, brought it all together by pointing out the importance of the Equal Rights Amendment, and how it is the foundation for moving equality forward.
“I’m hoping that the next tree ring moment will be having the equal rights movement added into our constitution and sex equality guaranteed across this country,” Zakiya said. “Eighty percent of the country thinks that we should have an Equal Rights Amendment in our Constitution and those who benefit from the status quo are going on the offensive. They’re coming for reproductive rights, they’re coming for LGBTQ+ plus rights, trans rights most critically and most politically and most fiercely. They’re coming for economic justice, voting rights, and the list goes on. They ban books, silence teachers, and persecute trans youth and adults and don’t believe we should have protections such as the Pregnancy Fairness Act or Paid Family Leave.”
“Just as they did 50 years ago, anti-equality forces are fearmongering and sowing division. They’re trying to convince the public that the Equal Rights Amendment will harm women with made up claims of predators in bathrooms by forcing their limited view of what makes someone a woman or simply saying that the laws on the books are sufficient enough in protecting us from the evils that we see in our country,” she added. “The Equal Rights Amendment would make our system more fair and equitable for everyone, fixing a system that’s been broken for far too long for far too many people. So, I’m going to leave you with a call of action today. It’s very simple. Stand together. Support one another in our movements and break down the existing silos, because it’s only by working together that we have the strength, the numbers, and the intention to reclaim our rights and our humanity.”
Stand together – a call to action that not only those in attendance plan to follow, it is also a roadmap for us all.