The fiercely talented, smart, and delightful Anne Hathaway graces the cover of the January issue of Glamour Magazine, sporting a limited-edition One Billion Rising tank top and talking with our own Eve Ensler about her support for our campaign to end violence against women and girls.
An excerpt:
Eve Ensler: Tell me about One Billion Rising. Anne Hathaway: It’s hard to wrap my head around the fact that a billion women have been raped or beaten, just the enormity of that. When I was in college, I’d heard that one in four women would be raped, and I thought, God, that means I must know someone who was raped. Sure enough, I found out a week later that a friend had been. A billion is too big because one is too big.
Eve Ensler: We’re calling on one billion people to rise up and dance on February 14. Why do you dance? Anne Hathaway: When I think back to some of the most fun nights of my life, it was just me out dancing without a care in the world. It’s a release, an outlet. And I’m a firm believer that we can tap into a collective energy and consciousness; on the 14th, even if you’re in a field dancing by yourself, you’re going to know you’re not alone. That’s something I hope we can carry forward as we resolve to protect ourselves and our sisters.
Want the One Billion Rising tank top Anne wears in the Glamour shoot? You can get it! A limited number are on sale for $50, and proceeds go to support One Billion Rising. Get them while they last!
What is the secret to stabilizing the resource-rich, yet chronically war-torn and violence-ridden country of Congo?
Empower the Women
by EVE ENSLER
For as long as the Congolese can remember, the Congo and its people have been colonized, pillaged, extracted, murdered, displaced, robbed and raped. The last 14 years of this hideous onslaught have taken almost eight million lives and been responsible for the rape and torture of thousands and thousands of women. The indifference of the world community in the face of this horror has further exacerbated the problem and decimated the hearts and souls of the Congolese.
The secret to a thriving and stable Congo is first and foremost peace. The short-term way to go about this? End the war. Put pressure on the United States government to stop giving millions to Uganda and Rwanda, two countries involved in financing and training the militias, like the M23, which are occupying, pillaging and murdering the Congolese.
The long-term solution? Look to the women of Congo. At City of Joy, a leadership center in Bukavu for women who have suffered gender violence, I have witnessed the power, generosity and strength of their leadership. I have seen how quickly they change and thrive through healing therapy, learning their rights, literacy training, self defense, civics, computer skills, agricultural training and public speaking.
In less than six months, graduates have returned to their villages and created farming cooperatives, opened orphanages and homes for the aged and infirm, demanded their rights, given speeches, built community and taught what they have learned. What Congo most needs is professionals: teachers, doctors, managers, female police officers, nurses, lawyers, social workers and government leaders. I have witnessed the Congolese staff members at City of Joy, under the excellent direction of Christine Shuler Deschryver and Mama Batchu, develop an impressive skill set and capacity for sharing what they have learned over two years by being supported, trained and trusted.
Eastern Congo is essentially in a state of anarchy. No government, roads, infrastructure or leadership. Provide the resources and get out of the way.
The women of Congo will rise soon, and so will Congo.
* 100% of the proceeds will go to emergency needs in the Congo.
** V-Day has a limited amount of sponsored tickets available, free of charge. If you need a sponsored ticket, please email drcongo@vday.org
A One Billion Rising event, presented by V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, and ABC Carpet & Home.
Join us for a special evening with Eve Ensler (V-Day), Karen Higgins (National Nurses United), Kimberle Crenshaw (UCLA School of Law), Amber Hollibaugh (Queers for Economic Justice), Amy Leon (V-Girls), Ai-jen Poo (Domestic Workers Alliance), Randi Weingarten (American Federation of teachers), Ann Wright (Army Colonel, Rt.), and others as we discuss how inequality and public policy affect violence against women, and celebrate those who work towards systemic change.
WHAT: THE STATE OF FEMALE AMERICA
WHEN: Tuesday, November 27. Doors: 6:30pm, Program: 7pm
* V-Day has a limited amount of sponsored tickets available to THE STATE OF FEMALE AMERICA, free of charge. If you need a sponsored ticket, please email tickets@onebillionrising.org
This Tuesday, November 27th, we are so proud to be bringing you The State of Female America, a public discussion at NYC’s Cooper Union about how inequality and public policy affect violence against women and celebrate those who are working towards systematic change.
We have an inspirational group of women who will take part in this discussion, here’s some brief information about each, make sure to check out their work!
Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw is a prominent figure in Critical Race Theory and currently a professor at UCLA School of Law and Columbia Law School specializing in race and gender issues. Learn more >
Eve Ensler is the Tony Award winning Playwright, performer, and activist and Founder/Artistic Director of V-Day. Learn more >
Laura Flanders is the host and founder of GRITtv with Laura Flanders and the author of the New York Times bestseller BUSHWOMEN: Tales of a Cynical Species. She is a regular contributor on MSNBC, Flanders has appeared on shows from Real Time with Bill Maher to The O’Reilly Factor. Learn more >
Karen Higgins is a Registered Nurse and Co-President of National Nurses United, the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history. Learn more >
Amber Hollibaugh is the Executive Director of Queers for Economic Justice, a progressive non-profit organization committed to promoting economic justice in a context of sexual and gender liberation. Learn more >
Amy Leon is a student at NYU and member of the V-Girls Action Team, a dynamic of girl activists from around the world. Learn more >
Ai-jen Poo is the Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, a national alliance of domestic workers in 19 cities and 11 states, working to gain respect, recognition and protections for America’s 2.5 million domestic workers. Learn more >
Randi Weingarten is president of the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, which represents teachers; paraprofessionals and school-related personnel; higher education faculty and staff; nurses and other healthcare professionals; local, state and federal employees; and early childhood educators. Learn more >
We are SO excited to announce that the world’s leading authority in the field of women’s health and wellness will be STRIKING, DANCING and RISING with us on February 14th, 2013! Dr. Christiane Northrup is a leading proponent of medicine that acknowledges the unity of mind, body, emotions, and spirit and is internationally known for her empowering approach to women’s health and wellness.
On December 3rd in New York, Global Green’s 13th Annual Sustainable Design Awards will highlight leaders in New York who are making a difference in the fight against climate change. We are so proud that Eve will be amongst the incredible list of honored guests as she accepts the Organizational Design Award for the design of V-World, V-Day’s sustainable farm to heal the women of the Congo by healing the Earth, and the greening of The City of Joy in Bukavu.
These two extraordinary new books are out just in time for the holiday season and we encourage you all to check them out:
Nothing But the Truth So Help Me God: 51 Women Reveal the Power of Positive Female Connection
A Band of Wives, a private social network has released its first book Nothing But the Truth So Help Me God: 51 Women Reveal the Power of Positive Female Connection. This powerful new anthology brings forth a diverse group of women’s voices in a collection of essays, poetry, and artwork that touches upon issues ranging from motherhood to body image, sexual violence, racism and sexuality.
I STILL BELIEVE ANITA HILL: Three Generations Discuss the Legacy of Speaking Truth to Power
I STILL BELIEVE ANITA HILL: Three Generations Discuss the Legacy of Speaking Truth to Power, a new collection of original material compiled and edited by Amy Richards and Cynthia Greenberg is now available. The book grew out of last October’s Sex, Power and Speaking Truth: Anita Hill 20 Years Later conference, which was co-presented by V-Day and featured an evening performance co-curated by Eve Ensler and Purva Panday Cullman. The book features writings that bring together three generations to witness, respond to, and analyze Hill’s impact, and to present insights in law, politics, and the confluence of race, class, and gender.
On Monday, November 12, Emotional Creature opened Off-Broadway at the Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Eve’s newest play opened to a packed house and is getting rave reviews from theater critics and audience members alike!
What the Audience is saying…
“When I first read the book I was like – who stole my diary?” – Molly Houlahan
“I discovered the fabulous world of feminism.” – Nova Bajamonti
“When I found Emotional Creature I felt open to a whole other world and thought – oh my god! I’m not the only one.” – Samantha Santiago
“This play allows us to be in a room together and to be open and real.” – Tanya Tawengwa
