For Our Bodies, Our Lives, and Our Future!

March 25, 2008 

While  www.sparkrj.org is under construction,  you can find info about us here and www.myspace.com/newconversations

 Our new website will be better than ever and we thank you for your patience!

 

SPARK Reproductive Justice Now! (Formerly Georgians for Choice) Job Announcement

POSITIONS:  Two Youth and Reproductive Justice Organizers

HOURS: Part Time – 20-25 hrs/wk    DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 30, 2008
START DATE: Negotiable

SPARK Reproductive Justice Now! (formerly Georgians for Choice) fosters a dynamic, collaborative model of leadership, collective action, and discourse for reproductive justice. We collaborate with communities to build and sustain a powerful reproductive justice movement throughout Georgia and the South. We use creative grassroots strategies to build knowledge, shift power and advance the reproductive justice discourse. We demand reproductive justice for our communities, our bodies, our lives, and our future!

SPARK is looking for two passionate, hardworking and energetic organizers to join our team as part time Youth and Reproductive Justice Organizers. The YRJ program will focus on the particular intersections and needs of youth and reproductive justice in Georgia.  The YRJ organizers will work with SPARK staff to develop, build and implement SPARK’s Youth and Reproductive Justice (YRJ) program.  We believe in collaborative leadership and are looking for two individuals with a strong anti-oppression, intersectional and social justice analysis and a passion for reproductive justice, youth rights and grassroots organizing.  The YRJ program seeks to create innovative tools to address the critical needs of youth in Georgia surrounding reproductive justice.  The YRJ organizers will work to coordinate the first major project of the YRJ program which will include, working with local communities and individuals, extensive research, strategizing with SPARK staff and engaging in an in-depth assessment process towards piloting a YRJ workshop/training.

Time commitment is 20-25 hours a week (with flexibility), some evening and weekend hours.  Some travel may be required. Both part-time positions have the possibility to extend to full-time positions. 

Responsibilities Include:

Þ    Work with SPARK staff to develop, build and implement SPARK’s Youth and Reproductive Justice (YRJ) program.
Þ    Developing and implementing assessment process including: outreach to youth/youth programs and leaders, community mappings, study of other models used, and creation of a strategic plan.
Þ    Execute extensive research to collect comprehensive data, facts and maintain an informational data base.
Þ    Provide leadership for the YRJ program.
Þ    Some general office and/or administrative work.
Þ    Detailed staff reports every two weeks.
Þ    Participate in SPARK staff meetings, strategic planning, project development and evaluation, staff evaluations, general work place maintenance/culture and sustainability/wellness work.

Qualifications Include:

Þ    Strong commitment to and understanding of reproductive justice, social justice, grassroots organizing and sustainability/wellness (individual and collective).
Þ    Experience working and organizing with diverse and oppressed/marginalized communities (i.e. LGBT/queer, youth, people of color, people with disabilities, southern, women).
Þ    Can work well across difference in a multi-issue, multi-racial coalition.
Þ    Self-starter, enthusiastic, strong initiative, and a leader who can work collaboratively and independently.
Þ    Excellent (or willingness to develop an excellence in) verbal and written communication skills and familiarity working with the internet, especially using social networking sites (i.e. myspace, facebook).
Þ    Creative problem solver who can meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment and multi-task.
Þ    Experience with popular education curriculum development and facilitation.
Þ    Enjoys working in the field, networking and building new relationships.

POSITIONS:  Two Youth and Reproductive Justice Organizers
HOURS: Part Time – 20-25 hrs/wk
DURATION OF POSITIONS: Negotiable and dependant on job performance.
BENEFITS: Negotiable

To apply, please send your cover letter, resume, and writing sample (this could be a link to your blog, webzine, article, journal entry, etc. no longer than 5 pages) to:

Mia Mingus at mmingus@georgiansforchoice.org  (please put “YRJ Organizer” in email subject)
or mail to   SPARK, P.O. Box 8551, Atlanta, GA 31106

DEADLINE TO APPLY: April 30, 2008  *  PLEASE NOTE: Applications will not be accepted via fax.

Georgians for Choice is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Georgians for Choice is committed to sustaining a culturally competent workplace that is characterized by respect and working across difference in order to better meet the needs of all communities.  

 
Young people (25 and under, with or without “formal non-profit organizing experience”), women of color, LBGT/Queer and gender non-conforming people, disabled, rural, low-income individuals, those from and living in the south east, and those living outside of the Atlanta Metro Area who are disproportionately impacted by reproductive oppression are strongly encouraged to apply. 

February 28, 2008

Legislate THIS! Reproductive Justice NOW was a success!

Thanks to everyone who came out and made Legislate THIS Reproductive Justice Day of Action at the Capitol a success.

Many thanks to Brandy, Legislate THIS program associate, and the organizing core for making this event amazing!

Dorothy Allison was a powerful storyteller whose words spoke truth to power and made the important personal and community connections of reproductive justice.Thanks again to Dorothy Allison for joining us for this day.

After a delicious breakfast donated by Ria’s Bluebird and Radial, we headed to the Capitol where we spoke with one of our favorite representatives, Rep. Able Mable Thomas. We also spoke with members of the Judiciary Civil committee who would be hearing testimony and voting on House Resolution 536. In particular, we spoke with Rep. Ed Lindsay, chair of the committee, and was able to let him hear the concerns of his constituents. We wanted to send a clear message to Vote NO to HR 536!

Our lobbying efforts as well as the efforts of other groups helped to make sure that House Resolution 536 and House Bill 1 were tabled and did not leave the committee! We see this as a victory which speaks to the power of people as agents of change at the Capitol, for themselves and their communities!

Below are links to view pictures from Legislate THIS!

http://picasaweb.google.com/miamingus/2008SPARK?authkey=OyHZ6EFj3LA

http://picasaweb.google.com/EllissaMcHenry/LegislateTHISLobbyDayFeb192008

If you have any questions, would like to be involved in Legislate THIS 2009, or would like to tell us what you think, please email Paris at phatcher@georgiansforchoice.org

Thanks again and see you in 2009!

******************************

Important Updates to the Legislate THIS site!

Info has been updated so make sure you check it out.

Schedule of the Day as of Feb. 15

9AM- Doors open- Breakfast begins to be served

9:30AM- Dorothy Allison speaks

10-11AM- Films, Teach-Ins, and Lobby Training

11- 12:30PM- Action and Lobby at Capitol

February 15, 2008

Local Restaurants, Radial and Ria’s Bluebird, partner with Legislate THIS!

 

SPARK is thrilled that local restaurants ,Radial and Ria’s Bluebird, will be donating breakfast for Legislate THIS! Their commitment to reproductive justice and the Atlanta activists community is wonderful, and it is important that we support the businesses who support us! Visit Radial www.radial.us and Ria’s www.riasbluebird.com online.

Read the SoVO article about Legislate THIS!

http://www.southernvoice.com/2008/2-15/news/localnews/8125.cfm

Get your SPARK! T-shirt and represent on Saturday Jan. 26!

We have fabulous Short and Long Sleeve and Hoodies sizes XS-XXL.

Visit Tees and Hoodies to order some SPARK!

January 21, 2008

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

On this day of reflection, I hope everyone will remember the tremendous work for justice that we have seen in this country, and prepare ourselves for what is to come.

We hope to see you Sat. January 26 11:30 at the Georgia State Capitol.

January 16, 2008

Dorothy Allison to speak at Legislate This!

February 19th, 9:30AM- 1PM
Trinity United Methodist Church
Renowned author and activist, Dorothy Allison will join SPARK! Reproductive Justice Now (formerly Georgians for Choice) and discuss over breakfast the importance in using our voices in speaking truth to power and using our power for collective action.

Following Breakfast with Dorothy Allison, we will have exciting
teach- ins, an art exhibit, and a Reproductive Justice Day of Action at the Capitol.

Don’t forget to purchase and wear your Legislate THIS! T- Shirt! This will be an incredible day of flexing our power as activists, as voters, and as a movement!

To RSVP for Breakfast with Dorothy Allison visit http://walkforwomengeorgia.org/?page_id=9

“The horror of class stratification, racism, and prejudice is that some people begin to believe that the security of their families and communities depends on the oppression of others, that for some to have good lives there must be others whose lives are truncated and brutal.” -Dorothy Allison

January 14, 2008

Make sure to RSVP Today for the People’s Movement Assembly and Caravan Saturday January 26 2008

To RSVP a spot on the caravan or for any questions about this event, email Brandy at justice@legislatethis.org or call SPARK! at 404 532 0022.

December 25, 2007,

Happy Holidays Reproductive Justice Activists!

We hope this holiday season will continue to be a time of peace, relaxation, and renewal.

2008 is going to be an exciting year for Georgians for Choice. There will be new and highly anticipated changes to the statewide coalition for women’s freedom, and we hope that you will join us doing this exciting time!

As everyone is beginning to prepare for the New Year, I want to make sure that you keep these two dates- Saturday January 26 and Tuesday February 19; and one idea- Legislate THIS! Reproductive Justice NOW! on your radar for 2008.

We have been working since August on these two events. This year we have a strong organizing core of community activists and have hired Brandy Collier, GfC’s dynamic program associate working popular education tools and community outreach.

Continue to check this website to get the most current info about performers, speakers, actions, volunteering, Speak Justice Take Action events, and ways you can continue to be involved in reproductive justice movement in Georgia!

SPARK! Reproductive Justice NOW,

The GfC Family

May 2007

MANY THANKS FOR MAKING THE 2007 WALK GREAT! Thank you to everyone who came out to the 2007 Walk for Women’s Lives! It was a beautiful (not to mention, hot!) day and your energy and presence was inspiring! Over 500 committed activists joined us making the Walk the largest reproductive justice community event in 2007! Thank you for bringing your Kroger receipts, adding 200+ signatures to the Declaration and supporting your statewide coalition and movement for reproductive health and justice!

Thank you to our performers(Sonia Leigh, Jessica Care Moore, and Kelly Love Jones), speakers(Drek Brundage, Charlotte Hager, and Carrie Baker) and all of you who made such creative and smart signs! Thank you for all of your donations, sponsorships, product purchases, etc. Without them we could not continue our work.

Thank you to all of the organizations who tabled and walked with teams. You are doing such important work and we were honored to have you at the Walk.

Special Thanks to all of our hard working, committed volunteers and interns! You are the nuts and bolts of the day. Thanks to our photographers for capturing the day on film!

Thank you to everyone who was part of organizing the 2007 Walk! Thank you to the Walk OC and DC and everyone who put up a Walk poster, gave out a palm card, forwarded an email, and told their friends and family.

Continue to visit the Walk site! We will be adding pictures and the Walk 2007 video!

And yes, we are already gearing up for the 2008 Walk! If you are interested in making history, contact Paris at walk@georgiansforchoice.org and be a part from the start!

With immense gratitude,

Mia and Paris

Join Georgians for Choice and our 47 member organizations Sunday March 25, 2007 for a Walk/Rally FOR Our Communities, Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our FUTURE!

Visit Why I Walk! Blog to see why Georgians Walk for Women’s Lives!

March 23

Register for the Walk On Site!

If you have not registered yet for the Walk, don’t fret! You can register on site for the Walk. Please bring cash or check for your donation!

Traffic Update

The ING Marathon is also happening on the same day of the Walk. Make sure you plan your trip to the Capitol. We are encouraging Walkers to take MARTA. Please visit the FAQ page for more info about MARTA.

See you Sunday!

March 14

Bring Your Kroger Receipts to the Walk!

After a woman in Rome, GA was denied EC at a Kroger pharmacy, GfC jumped into action. We are asking all Walkers to bring their Kroger receipts to the Walk for Women’s Lives in support of GfC’s “It Could Be Me” EC Access Campaign. The “It Could Be Me” EC Access Campaign is working to create better EC Access in Georgia. For more information, contact Mia at mmingus@georgiansforchoice.org or 404.532.0022

March 12

Sonia Leigh Joins the Walk Line Up

Sonia Leigh is a singer/ songwriter from Atlanta, Georgia. Sonia’s music grabs her listeners by the heart and takes them for an intoxicating rider. Gritty vocals, layered with compelling lyrics, leave your mouth dropped to the floor.

For more info, check out Sonia at http://www.myspace.com/sonialeigh

Sonia Leigh will be performing from 1:20- 1:50pm during Registration/Check-In!

March 10, 2007

Walker Registration Update!

Sorry to everyone who has been trying to register online without success. We think we have fixed the problem and you should be able to complete the Walker Registration form on the REGISTER NOW! Page. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us via walk@georgiansforchoice.org or 404.532.0022.

Thanks for your patience!

March 1, 2007

Walk Video Now Up!

Make sure you visit the Walk Video page to see an amazing video of the Walk for Women’s Lives 2006!

February 26, 2007

Georgians for Choice is throwing a decade party and you’re invited!

The Decade Party: A Benefit for the Walk for Women’s Lives

When~ March 10 @ 7:30pm
Where~ Azul Bar in Decatur
141 Sycamore St on the Square
http://www.ragingburrito.com
Suggested Donation~ $10
(Includes 2 complimentary raffle tickets *no one will be turned away at the door)

Come dressed as your favorite decade or century and compete to win Best Costume!

For the official Evite invite, send us your email.

Raffle Prizes:
· Urban Body Fitness and Studios 6 month membership worth $1000 www.urbanbodyfitness.com & www.urbanbodystudios.com
· Fresche worth $60 (approx) http://www.fresche.net/pages/home.php
· Little Haven worth $60
· Pizza Vino dinner for two worth $50 1402 N Highland Ave NE, (404) 745-9334
· Nadine’s Triple Crown worth $45 http://www.gontc.com
· Eclipse de Sol worth $25 http://www.eclipsedisol.com
· And More!

February 20, 2007

Kelly Love Jones to Perform at the 5th Annual Walk for Women’s Lives!!!

GfC is proud to announce Kelly Love Jones will perform at the Walk for Women’s Lives. Kelly Love Jones’ immense talent and passion for social justice is apparent in her performances. GfC is thrilled that she will be joining us for this important day! Visit her website at www.kellylovejones.net to learn more about this amazing artist.

Kelly Love Jones’ bio:

Hailing from New Orleans , Louisiana, Kelly Love Jones encompasses the cultural richness of her hometown in her music. With her own unique blend of acoustic guitar, folk, hip hop, blues, and poetry, Kelly, who was voted best emerging artists at the Big Easy Awards, has impressed audiences of music lovers both at home and overseas. Drawing inspiration for lyrics from her daily life experiences, Kelly has, for the past 14 years, used music as an emotional outlet, linking her with the hearts of her listeners through personal rhythmic reflection. In her own words, “It’s the connection that makes the music worth making. Everything outside of that, as we say in New Orleans is lagniappe (extra).”

Kelly’s poetic lyrics are testimony of the passion she has for her audience and of her determination to get her healing message across all the barriers that society has artificially erected. In the words of the recording artist/activist, “My music isn’t about anything if it’s not about change.”

February 14, 2007

jessica Care moore to MC the 5th Annual Walk for Women’s Lives!!!

GfC is proud to announce jessica Care moore will MC the Walk for Women’s Lives. Jessica’s passionate voice and dynamic energy will be a powerful addition to this year’s Walk. We are excited so excited that she will be a part of this important event!

jessica Care Moore’s bio:

If the conversation is “this new generation of poets,” then at some point the name Jessica Care moore will inevitably come up. Jessica Care moore-Poole is the CEO of the thriving publishing house, Moore Black Press. One of the most celebrated, published poets and public speakers of her generation, jessica Care moore has issued a strong, defiant, and educated voice into the literary, theatrical, publishing and music industries.

You’ve already witnessed the dynamic young voice from the Motor City that swept the nationally televised It’s Showtime at the Apollo’s notoriously tough audiences off their feet, winning a record five consecutive weeks with her powerful lyrics. jessica Care moore made history on that stage and is recognized as an Apollo Legend. Jessica is the current star, producer and writer of the a new poetry and music driven show SPOKEN! on the Black Family Channel, operated by CEO Robert Townsend. The show is produced in association with Moore Black Press.

Author of the best selling poetry collections, The Words Don’t Fit In My Mouth, and The Alphabet Verses The Ghetto, she is no ordinary poet; she is one of the hottest young book publishers in the country. The CEO of Moore Black Press was awarded a Small Press Award from the African-Americans Helping Authors Organization in NYC.

Visit www.jessicacaremoore.net for more info about jessica Care Moore!