Southern Girls Convention 2000

Why a Southern Girls Convention?

Because we live in rural towns overrun with religious piety. Because we live in big cities overrun with racial tension. Because we need to unite, create a network, and become empowered. Because we need to fight back against misogyny and violence against women. Because we reject the Southern Belle archetype and any passive, second place gender role thrust upon us. Because we are strong, intelligent, independent, and active young women who seek change in our communities. Because we refuse to be victims. Because we have an intrinsic desire to revolt.

What is the Southern Girls Convention?

The Southern Girls Convention was the brainchild of the Women's Action Coalition in Memphis, Tennessee. The first annual SGC was held in July of 1999 at the University of Memphis campus with a hundred participants from the South and all over the United States. There were workshops on reproductive rights, sexuality, racism, classism, fatphobia, zine-making, women's health, queer issues, and much more. We all left the 1999 conference feeling united, liberated, and strong.

SGC 2000 originated with the nine women who attended the conference from Louisville and volunteered to host the Southern Girls Convention in the year 2000. Many of us are from Brat, Louisville Anti-Racist Action, the Autonomous Womyn's League, the Progressive Students League, Kentucky Student Progressive Network, and some of us have no affiliation. Recently, we linked with other womyn activists in other cities in Kentucky who have joined our core planning group and promise to bring great diversity and energy to the project. We are thrilled to have this unique opportunity to network with and bring inspiration to other radical activists like ourselves.

We hope to have a return of the original workshops along with an abundance of new faces and ideas. If you have ideas for workshops or just want to help, get involved now. Though this convention has a Southern theme, we want to include workshops that affect all women and we want to invite women from all over the country to attend. For more information, contact us, view our Frequently Asked Questions file, and sign up for our email lists. And don't forget to register ASAP to reserve your place at the convention!

What do I get for my $15 registration fee?

A whole lotta stuff! See for yourself:

-- Entrance to the workshops and caucuses.
-- Free childcare
-- Housing for out-of-towners on Friday and Saturday*
-- Good olą vegan Southern cookiną for most meals
-- Entrance to shows on Friday and Sunday, featuring grrl bands from all over the country (lineup TBA)
-- Entrance to the Southern Girl Vaudeville, an open show on Saturday night for anyone wanting to perform anything ‹ poetry, music, dance, comedy, drama, whatever!
-- Access to scores of tables and information!
-- The chance to network with some fabulous and active wimmin

Of course, this is a lot of stuff, and weąre just one tiny planning committee! Weąre asking everyone to help out if you can -- make this your own convention -- by volunteering for specific tasks: for example, sign up for an hour at the registration table! Volunteer signup will happen in the weeks before the convention and during check-in. Helping out isnąt required, but itąs necessary to make this convention a collective wimminąs event!

*Mostly floor space! Please bring plenty of sleeping bags, pillows, and blankets! If needed, housing is also available Sunday night by making special arrangements with Liz at 459-4492.