Ladyfest is a festival of arts and activism, where bands, artists, and attendees discuss political issues, trade or sell feminist arts and crafts, attend performances, and work on political and artistic organizing. Ladyfest, a festival of music, art, literature, and activism (with something for feminists of all ages), promotes feminist empowerment through cultural and artistic performances, skill-
building workshops, networking opportunities, and organizing events. Ladyfest takes place in different parts of the country and in other countries each year and is organized locally.
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Diversity Statement:
Ladyfest Deep South aims to provide a forum for a diverse group of artists and activists to demonstrate their talents and passions and bring together a wide array of people to celebrate local art and activism and participate in community-building and skill-building workshops. The organizers of Ladyfest Deep South are committed to establishing an environment that embraces diversity based on gender, race, class, s*x, s*xuality, and other identity categories and welcomes those who further our commitment to enriching the breadth of contributions made by organizers, volunteers, performers, participants, and attendees. The Executive Committee, Advisory Board, and Organizers are committed to safe and best practices and expect that volunteers, participants, and attendees engage in the same, not only in the form of inclusive language, but that they contribute to all practices necessary for an atmosphere of respect and productive coalition-building. Volunteer-run and organized by women and other feminists, Ladyfest Deep South welcomes everyone of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and communities—to attend and participate. Our beneficiaries for 2011 include Alabama Birth Coalition (ABC) and The University of Alabama’s Women’s Resource Center (WRC).
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Ladyfest is a non-profit organization. Any proceeds will go to the following organizations:
* Alabama Birth Coalition: The Alabama Birth Coalition is working for healthier births and healthier babies in the state of Alabama. An all-volunteer, grassroots, non-profit organization, ABC hopes to achieve this goal through increased access to midwives and the empowerment of citizens across the state to make informed maternity care decisions based on access to available evidence and affordable services: www.alabamabirthcoalition.org
* Women’s Resource Center: The Women’s Resource Center at The University of Alabama maximizes the learning experience of every UA student and the greater UA community through outreach, services and advocacy to empower women and encourage their active and equal participation. This mission is based upon values that support the broader goals of the institution and that foster a climate that is inclusive of women: www.wrc.ua.edu
* Music Maker: Music Maker Relief Foundation, Inc. helps the true pioneers and forgotten heroes of Southern music gain recognition and meet their day to day needs. They present these musical traditions to the world so American culture will flourish and be preserved for future generations. Criterion for recipients includes the following: That they be rooted in a Southern musical tradition, be 55 years or older, and have an annual income less than $18,000. Their programs include: Musician Sustenance (grants to meet basic life needs and emergency relief), Musical Development (grants and services for recipient artist professional development and career advancement), and Cultural Access (support for the preservation and proliferation of American musical traditions). Purchases and contributions to Music Maker directly support traditional musicians in their efforts to keep playing, performing and recording: www.musicmaker.org
* Books to Prisons Project, Alabama: This organization is a local chapter of the D.C. Area Books to Prisons Project, which has maintained regular mailings of free books to inmates since 1999. The Tuscaloosa chapter was formed in January 2008 and has mailed over 600 packages of books to inmates. Their intent is to facilitate and support the education of people behind bars. All books are donated, all staff is supplied on a volunteer basis, and their only monetary need is for postage fees. ($2.69 can mail 4-5 books to an inmate.) Ladyfest Deep South will provide a table and book drop for this organization, as well as donate any available monetary proceeds.
