Ventura gathering to celebrate women's contributions in county, beyond
A discussion between two civil rights activists at opposite ends of the age spectrum will be one of the highlights of this year’s Ventura County Women’s Day Festival.
The moderated dialogue will take place between 90-year-old veteran civil rights activist Lupe Anguiano and 17-year-old activist Hannah Yale.
Anguiano, an Oxnard resident, is a longtime activist for the rights of women and the poor, as well as the environment. She has advised presidents and was mentored by legendary farm labor organizer Cesar Chavez.
Local high school student Yale has spoken out against gun violence in schools, helping to organize events such as a voter drive and a local observation of the National School Walkout.
Organized by The Acorn Project, the Ventura County Women’s Day Festival also will include hands-on community art, live music, dance, a film screening of the documentary “Legalize Equality,” census information, voter registration, pop-up Pilates and refreshments for purchase. Break-out sessions will be offered on topics including “How to Run for Office,” “Speaking Up for Change,” “Breaking Barriers” and “Self Care.”
The event will be from 1-4 p.m. on International Women’s Day, March 8, at the Museum of Ventura County, 100 E. Main St. in Ventura.
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“The goal of the event is to celebrate women’s social, political and economic contributions to our county and beyond while also encouraging deeper civic and political engagement so that women’s voices, votes, and contributions increasingly shape the future we envision,” Junemarie Justus, founder of The Acorn Project, said in a news release. “Nationally and locally, we have seen record numbers of women running for office and a groundswell of young activists emerging. We hope this festival will support and inspire more women to participate in the political process.”
According to its website, The Acorn Project “fosters creative collaboration and strategic partnerships for positive social change.” Its Reel Advocacy series initiative supports documentary film screenings “to inform, engage, and inspire political and social action.”
International Women’s Day, established in 1911, celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year coincides with the centennial of the passage of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote in the United States.
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