Weekly Activism #6

1. This week I contacted Arielle to ask her what I could do. She suggested that I keep calling Publix to try and set up a tabling but when I called two more they insisted that they were all booked up until January and that all of the Publix’s would be like that. So I decided this week I would make some jewelry to sell at the next festival. The jewelry we had was just not attracting any of the children that were with their parents. I figure the best way to attract people is by presenting things that will catch children’s attention, and they will drag their parents over. With this in mind I bought a jewelry kit and called another volunteer Danielle over and got to work! We made about a dozen bracelets that said things like “girl power”  “paws” and “pets for peace”. They came out great, and I think that we will be able to get some much needed donations for them! Next week I have to call UNOS and get them to let us set up a table to raise some money.

2. It was interesting, but while I was putting together the jewelry, snipping strong, and tying knots, I made a joke to Danielle about how I felt like a little ol’ grandma knitting sweaters or something. When I was younger, I would see my grandma sitting at the dining room table in New York sewing curtains for a little extra money. And there I was, making bracelets for a little bit of money to fundraise. I know the two situations were incredibly different but it reminded me of the whole gendered division of labor and the decline in organized labor in globalization. It makes sense that when women need money to support their families they would turn to work that is not in the public sphere when NOONE else will give them a chance. If I were in serious need of cash, and maybe have a child to support and can’t afford child-care, I might have to be at the table, making jewelry for my life.

3. I felt very accomplished at the end of the night when we laid all of our jewelry out on the table. I felt like I had done something productive in my day and no matter how small the deed, it always feels good when I can help Animal Safehouse in any way. Women helping women that’s what it’s all about, and when I speak as a woman explaining to people why I’m making jewelry, or why I’m at this table, it is an incredibly empowering feeling.