Please note: this page has moved to www.wcaphiladelphia.org. The WCA is a national organization whose mission is to create community through art, education, and social activism, while recognizing the contribution of women in the arts. The Philadelphia Chapter provides a support network for women artists in Philadelphia and surrounding communities.
We meet at member studios to network, learn, discuss art and plan shows. All are welcome!
Contact us at wcaphiladelphia@gmail.com.
I am honored to say that the WCA/Philadelphia's Ragdoll Project has brought awareness to the seriousness of human trafficking. It seems that New Jersey is listening. Please check out this article from www.nj1015.com.
The New Jersey Assembly has unanimously approved the Human Trafficking Prevention, Protection and Treatment Act.
Metlife Stadium (Jeff Zelevansky, Getty Images)
The measure enhances penalties for perpetrators, it holds landlords accountable, and provides help for victims.
“We think of human trafficking in undeveloped nations, 3rd world countries, but it’s happening right here in the United States and in New Jersey,” says one of the prime sponsors, New Jersey Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle.
She points out the legislation also calls for the creation of the Prostitution Offense program.
“Which is really a John’s school- for John’s to be told the dangers of trafficking.”
Huttle stresses the importance of Governor Christie signing the legislation into law quickly, so it can be implemented before the Superbowl next year in the Meadowlands.
“Statistics show – and it’s documented – that when there is a large sporting event, it serves as a breeding ground – a haven – for sex trafficking.”
She says law enforcement officials concur that when you have a large sporting event, you have millions of opportunity “of people gathering together and wanting to have services – those services are made available and it’s a multi-million dollar business and the victims – they’re coerced into this.”
Huttle stresses human trafficking s modern-day slavery, and you have young victims, as young as 12 years old, which is why it’s got to stop.
New York artist Helène Aylon will read from her new book at our regular meeting time of 7:00 pm. The event will be in the Stewart Auditorium of the Moore College of Art & Design.
Growing up as an Orthodox Jew in Brooklyn, Helène Aylon spent her Friday nights in a sea of extended family as the Sabbath candles flickered. She dreamt of escape but married a rabbi and became a mother of two. Suddenly her world split apart when she was widowed at the age of thirty.
Aylon found a home in the burgeoning environmental art scene of the 1970s — she began creating transgressive works that explored identity, women's bodies, the environment, disarmament, and the notion of God. Eventually she began to ask of Judaism what she never dared to ask as a child: where are the women?
Aylon's book, Whatever is Contained Must Be Released: My Jewish Orthodox Girlhood, My Life as a Feminist Artist, is published by The Feminist Press at the City University of New York.
There will be copies of the book for sale, and the author will be available for signing.
Gail Levin, the author of Lee Krasner: A Biography, wrote this about Aylon’s new book: "Never afraid to question sacred texts, ancient rituals, and religious bias — Aylon is a role model for all artists. Whatever Is Contained is an arresting tale of uncommon courage, intelligence, and wit."
This event is co-sponsored by the Women’s Caucus for Art, Philadelphia Chapter
and the Moore College of Art & Design.
The Ragdoll Project for Human Trafficking Awareness will travel next Wednesday, March 6 to the Artisan Fair at the 2013 NGO Committee on the Status of Women Forum in New York City. The NGO CSW Forum is an open process, a democratic space where boys and girls, men and women can advocate for gender equality, development and peace. Sherri Cornett of the International WCA will present the dolls, doll kits, and flyers at the WCA's artisan booth. Many thanks to Sherri for making a collection of beautiful dolls and contributing fabric and finishings for 11 doll kits that include all supplies needed to make and contribute a doll to the Ragdoll Project. Take a look at the dolls and doll kits (left) assembled by Sherri Cornett (Women's Caucus for Art International Committee) and Ragdoll Committee Chair, Joanna Fulginiti, before they are shipped off to the fair!
The Artisan Fair will be held on:
6 March 2013
8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Location:
Armenian Convention Center
Lower Level
630 2nd Avenue at 35th Street
New York, NY 10016
For more information on the NGO CSW Forum, click here.
