Southern Girls Convention 2001

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 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.

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.

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 recently 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, 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 ol¹ vegan Southern cookin¹ for most meals
Entrance to shows on Friday and Sunday, featuring grrrl bands from all over the country (lineup TBA
Access to scores of tables and information!
The chance to network with some fabulous and active wimmin
Money left over from the conference will go to support next year's conference, Rape Counselors of East Alabama, Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and other local women's organizations.

Of course, this is a lot of stuff, and we¹re just one tiny planning committee! We¹re asking everyone to help out if you can -- make this your own convention -- by volunteering for specific tasks: registration table, kitchen crew, security, etc.! Volunteer signup will happen in the weeks before the convention and during check-in. Helping out isn¹t required, but it¹s necessary to make this convention a collective wimmin¹s 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 xxx at xxx-xxxx.