This year, I celebrated my free speech and freedom to assemble by taking to the streets of downtown Los Angeles to protest the global oppression of women in an Intl. Women's Day rally in front of the Los Angeles Police Department.
Last year, I had the honor of joining UN Women SoCal as their Keynote speaker for the Intl. Women's Day Celebration. The full UN UN Women Keynote highlight video has reached over 800,000 views since last March! Today, I posted a 90-second recap of my favorite moments from that speech.
This day always seems to inspire my inner she warrior and break my heart at the same time. While women continue to make strides towards equal rights, there are so many cases where we are unfortunately still oppressed.
I made this sign because I feel women suffer an insatiable thirst that can only be quenched with justice. Women are literally starving for equality when it comes to equal pay, work, and human rights. Women are dying for freedom from their oppressors, the sexual traffickers, the persecutors enslaving every aspect of their lives including their uteruses, the governments executing us for not conforming to their unjust patriarchal laws.
Thirsty for Justice, Starving for Equality, Dying for Freedom
There are countless shocking examples of human rights violations women are still battling in 2016; from lack of reproductive rights, to the forced sterilization of disabled women in Australia, honor killings across the Middle East and South East Asia, acid attacks, genital mutilations, forced marriage, sex trafficking, sexual violence and exploitation, innumerable, unspeakable abuses being suffered by women daily.
One of the most prevalent abuses, I see globally and commonly in the western world, is slut shaming. Many societies punish sexual empowerment, so extremely it even results in executions. If a woman is seen: dressed "immodestly," nude, breastfeeding, dancing with exuberance, walking down the street confidently, making eye contact with a man, or as sexually active; people are so quick to weaponize their opinions and react with verbal, physical, or emotional abuse. She WASN'T asking for it, and if we want to live in a free and open, civilized, society; I believe we must find tolerance for so-called "immodest" lifestyles that differ from our own. If someone's "immodest" behavior is a harmless self-expression, what gives us the right to become the judge, jury, and executioner? As someone who has grown up surrounded by classical art, I have always admired and appreciated the human form. It wasn't until I was exposed to puritanical belief systems and religious institutions that I was indoctrinated with the "virtues" of shame and discomfort around that most natural birthright in the world. I understand the importance of public decency and yet what I truly find indecent is the act of using someone's sexuality or nudity as a justification to abuse them. In the most extreme cultures women are stoned, hung, executed point blank, raped, or maimed for "immodest" attire. This horrific practice undermines the fundamental human right to life, liberty, and security of person.
If you find yourself unable to accept these realities, I encourage you to speak out against these violations both domestically and internationally. These organizations make substantial efforts towards the advancements of human rights including women's rights.
I was honored when the ladies from UN WOMEN SOCAL invited me to join their International Women's Day celebration as a keynote speaker. Women's history month and Intl. Women's Day is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the past, present and future of women's contributions and obstacles. It was enlightening to share that special day with an inspiring group of women dedicated to supporting gender equality and women's rights.
I focused my speech on female leaders, equal rights, freedom of expression, empowerment through the arts, technical literacy, education, the #HeForShe movement, and the mobilization of activists through technology. A full transcript of the 15 minute speech is coming soon, but here are 4 minutes of my favorite moments.
UN Women SoCal President CeCe Sloan and her team Lori Vandermier and
Kathy Carchidi Belmont put together a lovely event filled with art,
poetry, film, and progressive discussions. Polina Hyrn hosted the event, Lori Vandermier spoke about the evolvement of the USNC and the #HeForShe movement. Other speakers shared ideas on climate change, women in the arts, and sexual expression. It was great to meet the attendees and hear about their experiences in activism, from saving the seals in San Diego to fighting corporate polluters in the 60's. Susan Taylor from the Museum of Latin American Art introduced many of us to the inspiring, radical art of Argentine painter, sculptor, and performance artist Marta Minujín.
Minujin in front of her "Tower of Babel" sculpture comprised of 30,000 books, featured in Plaza San Martin, Buenos Aires. Check out Minujin, the values communicated through her colorful tapestry of work are impressive, surreal, and poignant. Linnea Lenkus spoke about the beauty of sexual empowerment through photographic expression versus sexual objectification through pornography. Author Margarita Noguera gifted us with with her joyful participation and poetry.
CeCe Sloan reviewed the History of International Women's Day and shared Catherine Murphy's meaningful documentary short film "Maestra", about the 250,000 volunteers (more than 50% women) that drove the literacy movement in Cuba in 1961.
"MAESTRA explores this story through the personal testimonies of the
young women who went out to teach literacy in rural communities across
the island - and found themselves deeply transformed in the process." - MaestraTheFilm.Org
Funding for UN Women was successfully raised thanks to UN Women SoCal President CeCe Sloan, the SoCal chapter team, the female artists who donated beautiful artwork for the silent auction, the attendees, and the sponsors who all contributed to this important cause. Overall it was an educational experience that united artists, activist, and supporters. Thank you again UN Women SoCal for the opportunity to celebrate International Women's Day.
If you are short on time and/or money please spread the word online and promote women's rights whenever you can! #SupportHeForShe #WomensRights365
I donated postcards featuring the UN Women "One Woman" artwork, so
attendees could mail them to thank a woman that inspires them because,I
feel it is paramount to show our gratitude to the people who influence
us positively. I invited the audience to share a pearl of wisdom on the postcards, so we could post them online and pass these
life lessons forward. Here are some uplifting pieces of advice. These are important because education doesn't just happen in school in happens every day in the our communities. Please comment to leave your own words of wisdom.
"Trust yourself...yes you can. To those who seem to limit you -
(emotionally, physically, spiritually or otherwise) have the confidence
to move on: Supporters are waiting for you when you arrive."
- Anonymous UN Women Supporter
"Accept what is. Accept yourself as you are. Suspend judgement. Love with an open heart. Give generously. Honor your truth. Be true to yourself." - Anonymous UN Women Supporter
"Surround yourself with positivity. Remind yourself of all you have to be grateful about. Then share that spirit with everyone." Anonymous UN Women Supporter
"To
all women! Become organizers to change the world! To help end poverty
and war. To prevent dangerous climate changes, to end disease by more
research and provide medical care to all." - Julia Ross
"Listen
to your body. What is it telling you? Listen to your heart, who or what
do you love? Listen to your mind, it is to be honored, but no more than
your body or your heart." Anonymous UN Supporter
"Gandhi
said one of the great social blunders is commerce without morality we
need a new system that is not patriarchal -women's values added to
political discourse will create commerce with morality" -Thea Iberall
"I
would like to share that as a woman I have been strong, but I also had
imperfections... & this duality expresses my humanity." - Anonymous UN Women Supporter
"The
one thing I've learned about being a strong woman is that it's
perfectly okay to go against the crowd at any point." Linnea Lenkas
"To all the women in the world, DON'T GIVE UP! We are one and we will bring about change together!" - RUPSI BURMAN
"Let
us recognize our Rights, Let us claim our rights, Let us share our
rights with every woman everywhere!" - Anonymous UN Woman Supporter
"Life is a series of risks - you just have to chose which ones you are willing to take." My sons wise words to me . - Kay Hundall
"Some of the best advocacy work of my mother and her friend took place in their later years... there is always hope to make a difference!" - Karen Stone
" Spirituality is the commitment to the nurturing of our connectedness to each other and everything that exists in the heavens and on earth." - Margrace Carpenter
"To achieve your goal, whether persuasion or socialization, take the time to fathom the other's feelings then choose precise, concise, purposeful, and emotionally effective works." -Robin Frantz Abrams
"Treat every human being with respect and dignity. We are ALL equal. Love one another. That's all it takes." -Anonymous UN Women Supporter
"Even Abigail Adams tried to encourage John Adams to do something for the rights of women and give them the right to vote. in 1838 organized to get the vote. In 1863 they organized to support Lincoln & the Union. In 1918 women got the vote. Let's keep going!" - Anonymous UN Supporter
"Here's to strong women, may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them." - Anonymous UN Supporter
" I sing with divinity encouraging women to speak their truth through the arts." -Michelle Heartsing
"The Intl. Day of Women is incredibly stimulating. I feel proud of joining." - Margarita Noguera
"Women in art Marta Minujin is very powerful." Anonymous UN Women Supporter
"Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?" - Socrates
For our birthdays, David Christopher Lee and I planned a double trouble Shanghai 1930's celebration. Everyone looked beautiful in 1930's era art deco attire and cheongsams under the starry skies at the W Hotel in Hollywood. It was a mosaic of feathers, sequins, lace, pearls, red satin, luxurious embroidery and elaborate headdresses. We were honored to share our travel show Destination Luxury with over 700 of guests. I wore a dusty rose feathered evening gownand headpiece by Sue Wong.We honored the UNICEF Chinese Children’s Initiative, a great cause that supports some of the most vulnerable children in China. I'm so grateful for our media sponsor Phoenix International Magazine and the other generous sponsors who helped create an unforgettable evening...
My one big birthday wish was to have a performance by Chinese dragon
dancers and the San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association went above and
beyond with a roaring performance. The giant red
dragon was smokin', literally blowing smoke through it's nose, that was my favorite part of the night! Then the adorable furry lion dancers pounced around festively and circled through the crowd. From the beautiful red rose floral arrangements by Butterfly Floral Design to the gorgeous three tiered cake crowned with a golden phoenix by Baby Bea's Bakeshop, I was very grateful for everyone's generosity. The white, red and violet sparkling wine from Vina sympatica was lovely and the Tequila 88 ultra premium and Sacacuento Mezcal had a smokey kick. Mannfolk PR, Jin and Quinn and Charis Events and Designhelped organize. The beats by DJ Christian Bkept us dancing all night. Special thanks to the photographers Greg Autry, Joyce Chow and Nelson Shen Images, who all made great captures that night.
Celeste Thorson released a new Running Zebra series benefitting charity.50% of the profits are donated to a different charity for 6 months.
May proceeds benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
helping foster children find permanent loving families. FAST FACT:
Each year, one in five children (29,516 in 2008) in the US who are available for adoption turn 18 and leave the foster care system without a family.
Win the necklaces worn by Celeste Thorson as seen in the current issue of Breaks Magazine volume 2 issue 4. All four pieces of handmade jewelry by Ingrid Arriaga will be given away in the sweepstakes along with three Tshirts designed by Thorson and a limited edition Bikini Bombshell skateboard.
Starting May 1st 2010 fans will have an opportunity to win two prizes at the end of every month, for a total of eight prizes until August 31, 2010.
To enter participants must follow http://www.twitter.com/celestethorson and tweet to win the prizes using the following tweets during the monthly contest. Without "quotes": " TWEET 2 WIN Beautiful Handmade Necklaces by Ingrid Arriaga in this monthly contest FOLLOW @CelesteThorson & RT 2 ENTER http://bit.ly/cnKCGl "
" TWEET 2 WIN a Limited Edition TShirt in this monthly contest FOLLOW @CelesteThorson & RT 2 ENTER More info & Prizes at http://bit.ly/cnKCGl"DURING MONTH OF JULY ONLY: " TWEET 2 WIN a Limited Edition Bikini Skateboard in this monthly contest FOLLOW @CelesteThorson & RT 2 ENTER http://bit.ly/cnKCGl "
Entrants may tweet daily as often as they like, every tweet increases the chance of winning, no purchase necessary. Full sweepstakes information, rules, and winners is available at http://celestethorson.blogspot.com/
Photo Credit: Nicola Geretti
Makeup and Hair: Celeste Thorson
Jewelry: Ingrid Arriaga
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All entries must be received by 11:59 PM PST the last day of May, June, July, and August 2010. The winners of the prizes listed above will be announced on the first of the following month.
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