VFA Events
Kate Millett Memorial Service, November 9, 2017
A Memorial Service was held for Kate Millett at the Fourth Universalist Society Unitarian Universal Church at 160 Central Park West in New York City. It was a lively and rousing celebration of Kate Millett’s life and work, with an estimated 500 people in attendance.
The speakers included Gloria Steinem, Phyllis Chesler, Yoko Ono, Kathleen Turner, Cynthia MacAdams, Linda Clarke, Joan Casamo, Nicole Fernandez Ferrer, Lisa Millett Rau, Holly Near and Eleanor Pam. Anecdotes of the projects and adventures they shared with Kate wove an unforgettable tapestry of the life of one of the most notable feminists of our time.
(Photos, l to r: Gloria Steinem, Phyllis Chesler, Yoko Ono, Cynthia MacAdams, Nicole Fernandez Ferrer (r) with her translator)
The service began with Pamela Mataszewski playing “The Parting Glass” on bagpipes, as she began the long somber march to the front of the sanctuary. It ended with applause and loud cheers of Kate’s name, not only for a life well lived, but also for the feminist movement she helped to birth.
Stories about the service can be found here:
Band of Sisters: Gloria Steinem and Yoko Ono Join Hundreds to Remember Kate Millett, by DJ Cashmere, MsMagazine.com.
“Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night”: Kate Millett Memorial, by Liza Bear – Liza gives a wonderful synopsis of the presentations, along with some great photos. She also has included a video of Cynthia MacAdams’ reading of Dylan Thomas’ poem, “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.”
Kate Millett, ‘Extraordinary Woman,’ Remembered by Steinem, Ono, and Clinton, by Mary Reinholz, BedfordandBowery.com.
Feminism’s A-List Attends Kate Millett’s Memorial in New York, by Penelope Green, New York Times.
Report on the Feminist Reunion, June 10, 2017
On June 10, 2017 The Veteran Feminists of America held a feminist reunion in New York City at the famous progressive church, Judson Memorial, in Greenwich Village.
As Barbara Love pointed out in her welcoming remarks, the event was for all feminists—revolutionary, radical and reformists: “bad girls” and “nasty women” included. In fact the event attracted many feminists who had never been to a VFA event before. Everyone was there in good faith, recognizing we are all-in to fight for a better life for women and girls. A few brave men, historians and students joined the celebration.
Among the many fabulous feminists in attendance were Kate Millett, Phyllis Chesler, Susan Brownmiller, Alix Kate Shulman, Vivian Gornick, Heather Booth, Judy Norsegian, Merle Hoffman, Muriel Fox and Yolanda Bako.
Many of us had joined the Movement over 50 years ago. We were able to makes things easier for several people in wheelchairs and some with walkers. In addition we REMEMBERED our deceased sisters and heroes, with posters taped around the room.
In all about 130 attendees gathered; met with old friends and comrades; enjoyed sandwiches, fruit and brownies. Projected, on a wall in the background, were photos sent by feminists and accompanied by women’s music.
The VFA Feminist Reunion Committee pulled it all together. Co-Chairs, Barbara Love and Carole DeSaram. Treasurer, Joanne Depaolo, and Ann Jawin. VFA President, Eleanor Pam, played a key role from beginning to the end.
The main event was a Speak Out at an open mic guided by Carole DeSaram. The theme was We Will Not Go Back! While not everyone prepared remarks, a few did. Below are remarks by Susan Brownmiller, Robert Brannon, and Alix Shulman. Their remarks are noteworthy.
Feminist Reunion 2017 – We Won’t Go Back
June 10, 2017 – 1:30 – 4:30
JUDSON MEMORIAL CHURCH
55 Washington Street South
New York, NY 10012
- Women’s music
- Open mike
- Meet your friends
- FREE DVD of Women’s Music & Feminists’ favorite photos
- Handicap Accessible
Feminist Reunion 2017 – Four New Videos from the Event
As part of our reporting on the Feminist Reunion 2017: “We Will Not Go Back!”, held in New York on June 10, we are pleased to present four videos from the event, filmed by Liza Bear:
Feminist Reunion 2017: Part 1: “Welcome Troublemakers!”
Feminist Reunion 2017: Speak Out, Part 2: “We’re Still Here!”
Feminist Reunion 2017: Speak Out, Part 3: “We Made History!”
VFA Shares Our Stories in North Carolina
An exciting VFA event — “Sharing Our Stories: The Second Wave Feminist Movement” – – took place in Durham, North Carolina, on Friday, March 31.
Noted historian Dr. Nancy MacLean kicked off the day with a keynote speech introducing the wide range of women’s activism. MacLean is the William H. Chafe Professor of History, Public Policy and Women’s Studies at Duke University.
The remainder of the program for the day was an intergenerational conversation between Second Wave activists and young historians who are researching, writing and teaching about the women’s movement of the 1960s and ‘70s.
This unique format was suggested by young historians when VFA inquired as to how feminist activists could get their stories told. The scholars’ response was to create a format with an intergenerational dialogue in order to share these stories directly.
Second Wave activists and historians were grouped to interact in panels on common issues. This produced a conversation that was both in the current moment and suggestive of a planning session from 40 years ago. The conversations provided an opportunity for Second Wave activists to interact with those who will be writing our history – and help to actually shape that history.
Sharing Our Stories:
The Second Wave Feminist Movement
Friday, March 31, 2017
Durham Hilton
Durham, North Carolina
Visit the Official Website for Details and Tickets:
www.SharingOurStories2017.org
Historians and Feminists:
An Intergenerational Conversation
A dialogue between Second Wave activists and young historians will ensure that the full story of the Women’s Movement is told to current day historians who are researching, writing and teaching about women’s history and women’s issues.
Panel discussions:
Grassroots Organizing; Law and Government;
Employment Activism
Each features three Second Wave activists and three historians.
Keynote Address: Dr. Nancy MacLean
Reception and Dinner: A Salute to Southern Feminists
Second Wave feminists from southern states will be honored at a celebratory reception and awards dinner. Deceased feminists will be honored in memoriam.
Please suggest southern feminists to be honored; for a nomination form, send an email to sharingourstories2017@gmail.com.
CONTACT KATHY RAND
View Past Events from 1999 – 2016
Click on button to the right to see previous VFA Celebrations & Honors.