Equalogy

Archive for the ‘volunteerism’ Category

Taking a cue from 2003′s  Calendar Girls, a movie in which older British women bare all for leukemia research, Erika Biddle decided to jump on the train of the increasingly popular brand of calendars where locals pose naked for a cause.

In celebration of Earth Day’s 40th birthday, Biddle only asked women over 40 to pose, resulting in 15 women ages 44-78 posing au naturale in naturally beautiful locations.

The 500 calendars were sold, raising $8,000 for the non-profit organization Green Living and Education.

To hear about all the locations Biddle chose, read the full article here

In other Nude News, these women (and 2 men!) protested naked against the war in Afghanistan, hoping to put an end to the myth that War is Peace

I was very proud when a friend of mine shared an article with me about a new restaurant opening in my home state of New Jersey.  The concept for the restaurant is based off a “Robin Hood” model that was started by a woman in Ohio.  Basically, the menu offers suggested prices for items, and a community item which is free.  If you can’t pay anything, you must eat the community item, or volunteer for an hour and have other options to choose from.  People who pay more for items help subsidize for others.

Some customers we’re so inspired by the concept that one woman who dined there paid $6 for a $1.50 cup of soup.  The restaurant is not only kind to the community, but also kind to the environment.  The food they use comes from mostly local farms, they also use no plastic or Styrofoam and compost all food scraps.

Denise Cerreta, founder of One World Everybody Eats in Salt Lake City is spreading the word on her idea and is talks with 50 or 60 other east coast groups interested in copying this model.  She says the idea took off so fast that she moved out of her home and is now on tour spreading the idea with just a suitcase and her cat.

Read the rest of this inspiring story by the Star Ledger here.

BoldeReach, a non-profit group of women in Boulder, Colorado, who aim to support organizations that empower and educate women around the world is throwing its annual gala.  Some of their past projects include supporting clean water initiatives, the prevention of sex trafficking, and girls’ education in Afghanistan.

This year’s gala will support the Global Education Fund.  The actual event is on Sat. Oct. 3 and there is a pre-party on Sept 20.  Tickets to the gala are $95.  If you can’t attend and want to donate anyway, there are links to do so on their website.

Vandana Shiva, one of my favorite ecofeminist authors has a new book out.  Soil Not Oil is just the latest in her long line of incredibly eye opening books by this India-based author.  Starting with the chipko movement in the 70′s, her activism is all about celebrating women’s rights and nature’s rights together.

If you are new to the ecofeminism movement and looking for a great easy to read book check out Staying Alive: Women, Ecology and Development and the website founded by Shiva, Navdanya.

Want to get involved?  Navdanya (translation: nine crops that represent India’s collective source of food security) offers both volunteer opportunities and internships that can be found at the website.  Definitely something to think about if you’ve just gotten laid off or looking for a different experience.