Across the nation, 93,000 ballot races this November could impact the future of women’s rights, transgender rights, and reproductive freedoms. Now, perhaps more than any other time, it’s imperative for us all to stand together and make our voices heard.
Why now? Women’s significant underrepresentation in decision-making roles at every level persists. The result is an overwhelming lack of understanding about the importance of genuine equality for all. And trans leaders? Their presence in leadership roles is virtually nonexistent.
Without fair, diverse, and equal representation, where is the motivation to understand what it means to be discriminated against, or to have your rights diminished or denied? Who at the table will understand the importance of marriage equality? Or understand the demands of juggling a career with the needs of a family? Who can weigh in on why you need to determine your own reproductive journey? And what about the importance of equal pay, and affordable (and even available) healthcare, childcare, and workplace protections? We need leaders, representatives of the populations they serve, who possess a deeper understanding of the issues at hand–leaders who are engaged, who will listen, and will work towards solutions that support the needs of the people in our communities.
To change the conversation and clear the path for true equality, we must engage and recognize that each one of us has the power to instigate meaningful change. Embracing our civic duties and recognizing that we’re part of something much larger than ourselves is the first step. By actively participating in the democratic process, voicing our concerns, and championing the causes we believe in, we not only strengthen the foundations of our democracy, but we also set the stage for change in our communities, and our nation as a whole.
Join Us, Engage, and Change the World!
Tiffany Shlain, an interdisciplinary artist, activist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, national bestselling author, and the founder of the Webby Awards, understands the importance of gathering together for our common good, and is bringing Dendrofemonology – The Feminist History Tree Ring to the National Mall in Washington, DC. for an art activation, voter registration, and education drive – all urging civic engagement to galvanize action around efforts to enshrine – and finally publish – the ratified ERA as a constitutional amendment and secure women’s and LGBTQ+ rights. While creating the feminist history tree ring, Tiffany distilled 50,000 years of history into 30 lines and realized that “Progress doesn’t always move in one direction. We have to keep pushing for the change we want — a more just world with more feminist perspectives and leadership.”
“That’s what this art installation and activation on the National Mall is all about,” Tiffany added. “We have a coalition of 20 feminist organizations coming together, with speakers, voter registration, an ERA convening, artists, and more, to create a vision of the world we want, together.”
Emmy-nominated film producer, co-founder of Let it Ripple Film Studio, trans activist, and Tiffany’s partner on the project, Sawyer Steele agreed and added, “What really excites me about this activation is bringing together women’s, trans, and reproductive rights. And doing so with intersectionality and intergenerationality at the core. The challenges we are facing are so interconnected and we need to stand together as allies and show up for each other. As a trans man I’m proud to be producing this, and I encourage more men and trans folks to join us.”
The event, which takes place November 1-4, 2023, is being produced by Let It Ripple, and presented by the National Women’s History Museum and Women Connect4Good, in partnership with an amazing coalition of organizations including the ERA Coalition, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Vital Voices, Feminist Majority Foundation, GLAAD, She The People, Take The Lead, Equal Means Equal, Equality Now, Supermajority, Female Quotient, TransLatina Coalition, African American Policy Forum, World Wide Women, Vote Pro Choice, Bithouse Group, Voters of Tomorrow, World Pulse, Reboot, The Feminist institute, A Tour of Their Own, and more.
“We are profoundly honored to present Tiffany’s artwork on the National Mall,” Frédérique Irwin, president and CEO of the National Women’s History Museum said. “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 agreed and added that Women Connect4Good is not only excited to bring the DENDROFEMONOLOGY installation and activation to Washington, D.C., she’s looking forward to igniting a national conversation. “This event will get people talking about how, together, we can close the gender equity gap and create what we want for the next generation. It has been exciting to watch it come together, and I urge everyone to join us – virtually or in person – and share it with your daughters, your sons and all the generations to come.”
A robust lineup of events will accompany the artwork, all inspired by entries on the DENDROFEMONOLOGY sculpture that people can experience in person or online. The four-day activation will kick off on Wednesday, November 1, with a press conference featuring groundbreaking women who are recognized on the tree ring, headlined by Dolores Huerta; Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement; and Senator Sarah McBride, the country’s highest-ranking transgender elected official, and continue through the week. Numerous public events include tours on the Women’s History Shuttle, which will travel between the installation and the National Women’s History Museum’s exhibition, We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, a film screening, artist Whitney Bradshaw adding new images to her OUTCRY exhibition, an interfaith Shabbat candle lighting, a Silent Disco, a feminist parade, and more. For those who cannot attend the events in person, most events will be available for participants to engage with online. For additional details, go to https://www.letitripple.org/dc