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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 racist and sexist 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.
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.
The second annual SGC was held in Lousiville, Kentucky at the BRYCC House with a couple hundred participants. Many of the women who organized the event are from Brat, Louisville Anti-Racist Action, the Autonomous Womyn's League, the Progressive Students League, Kentucky Student Progressive Network, and some with no affiliation. Some of the workshops included: Adventures in Clinic Escorting, Punk Parenting, 100 Years of Revolutionary Wimmin, The Art of Radical Cheerleading, Challenging Racism, Community Access Television, Ethical Sluthood: An Intro to the Ethics of Non-Monogamy, Gettin' Phat: Truth and Beauty, Gun Safety and Self Defense, Unions and You: Organizing Your Workplace, Alternative Menstrual Products, Sexercises and much much more. At the conference a handful of people from the DEEP SOUTH got together and dicussed having next year's conference in Alabama.
The third annual SGC is being organized by the Auburn Women's Organization and Free State Action. It will be held at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. We are excited about moving the conference into the Deep South so that participants can confront the myths and realities of life in the South and help create a radical movement that is willing to go into uncharted territory. We hope participants will explore the area on their visit. Auburn is located close to many sites of the 1960's civil rights movement: 15 minutes from Tuskegee, 30 minutes from Montgomery, and 2 hours from Atlanta, Selma, and Birmingham.
Workshops are organized by participants at the conference. As in years past, we hope workshops will explore various radical issues and skill-sharing. This year we would like to start a critical discussion on how we organize in our communities and develop strategies that are both empowering and accessible to all women. Though this convention has a Southern theme, we want to include workshops that affect all women and invite people from all over the country to attend. If you have ideas for workshops or just want to help, get involved now! For more information, contact us, check out the answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and sign up for our email lists. And don't forget to register ASAP to reserve your place at the convention!