Bella Bulletin |April 2018 Edition

The Bella Bulletin MARCH 2018

BELLA & Bella Fella Awards!

See page 3 for more information!

Activist Winnie Mandela passed away at age 81

Interviewing Diana Mara Henry, one of Bella’s Photographers Learn how her story, how she came to work for Bella, and the suggestion she has for young women interested in photography. Page 5.

Read about her legacy as a key activist against apartheid in South Africa. Though know to many for being Nelson Mandela’s wife she held an important position in desegregation of the country. Read more on page 11.

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Table of Contents THE BELLA & BELLA FELLAS AWARDS.………………..3 WOMEN’s History of the Month.............…………4 Interview with Diana Mara Henry.....…………5 FEATURED Article of the Month………......……..7 Featured Headlines of the Month………………9 Class of 2017 Leader of the Month……………..10 Trailblazer Tribute................................................11

Enrichment opportunities ...............................12 BALI STAFF & Board of Directors……….……....14 BELLA BULLETIN STAFF …………………………......15

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Women’s History of the month:

APRIL

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Interview with Bella’s Photographer Hello BALI Family.

This past week I had the privilege of interviewing Diana Mara Henry. She devoted a great time capturing the Second Wave of Feminism through photography. From marches to protests to traveling with Bella Abzug on her campaigns, she was at the frontline of it all and collected an impressive record of the movement.

Diana lived in New York as a teenager and later attended Radcliffe College, a women’s college now part of Harvard University. She majored in American Government with interest in American History. She had shown an interest in photography at an early age -- she even remembers films of her as a child playing with her first camera.

Her journey as a professional photographer began at the Crimson newspaper at Harvard. At the time (1965-1969), there were not many women involved in activities like this, but Diana enjoyed her time and found the newspaper to be like a second

Draft card burning at Northeastern University in protest of Vietnam War. 1968.

Copyright © Diana Mara Henry www.dianamarahenry.com

home. As part of the Crimson, she focused many of her assignments on the anti-Vietnam War movement.

One of her photo essays is of a draft card burning at Northeastern University. Diana continued to

photograph and follow events that interest her.

She notes that photography, especially in young adulthood, was her way of making a mark on the world.

After college, Diana moved to back to New York City for another 19 years. One of her notable photo essays covers the “Ms” protest in 1974 at Demonstrators for the use of the New York Times. At the term MS, which the Times didn't adopt until 12 the time, “Ms” as years later. 1974. Copyright opposed to “Mrs” had © Diana Mara Henry become commonly used www.dianamarahenry.com when referring to unmarried women. The New York Times, however, did not start using the term until 12 years after these women marched for it. Diana also photographed marches of Women Office Workers rights, the Equal Rights Amendment, and of course, The First National Women’s Conference led by Bella Abzug. And how did she begin to work for Bella?

This relationship began in 1972 when Diana heard a woman -powerful and articulate - over WBAI a counterculture radio station, announce a protest Chairwoman Bella Abzug at the podium of the First against gerrymandering National Women’s of her district. Diana Conference, 1977. made her way to the Copyright © Diana Mara Henry rally, squeezed through www.dianamarahenry.com the press, and managed to capture a photo of the woman who would change her career forever -- our Bella.

From there, Diana offered her photographs to Bella’s ongoing Congressional campaign and was later hired to follow her on the campaign trail. She notes that Bella paid her the professional wage for a photographer. This was not common, especially not

Bella’s Press Conference protesting redistricting of her congressional west side, NYC, district. 1972.

Copyright © Diana Mara Henry www.dianamarahenry.com

for young photographers. But Bella was determined to pay everyone fairly for their work. Diana notes that Bella was critical to many people’s careers, “her vision for us was far greater than we had for ourselves.”

I asked Diana what her advice is for girls and young women with interest in photography. She said

are so many ways to use it. Everyone should get involved in the cause they care about.” According to Diana, photography is not all technical, especially not in photographing movements. She adds “follow your heart and your passions even if it's not for your entire career. Be prepared for someone to tell you it is not worthwhile. Do it because you feel the need.”

Marchers with the Olympic torch at the National Women's Conference, (left to right) Billy Jean King, Susan B. Anthony II, Bella Abzug, Sylvia Ortiz, Peggy Kokernot, Michele Cearcy, Betty Friedan, 1977.

Copyright © Diana Mara Henry www.dianamarahenry.com

Thank you, Diana, for your words of wisdom and for allowing us to showcase your photographs.

Yours gratefully,

Gisselle and the Bella Bulletin Staff

Bella and her daughter Liz at a rally for her mayoral campaign 1980.

Copyright © Diana Mara Henry www.dianamarahenry.com

“it's like advising someone interested in writing, there

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Featured Article of the Month The Cosby Jury Finally Believes the Women

By Deborah Tuerkheimer, contributor to the New York Times April 26, 2018 Today’s guilty verdict in the sexual assault case against Bill Cosby closes a chapter left unresolved by last summer’s deadlocked jury. A retrial typically looks much like the first go-round. But in this case, the #MeToo era began between the two trials. So the second trial has become a litmus test of the movement’s impact. Because the jury convicted this time around, it is tempting to think that #MeToo is already improving the criminal justice system’s notoriously poor handling of sexual violence.

I would urge caution about generalizing in this way.

In many respects, this was no ordinary sexual assault prosecution. The case featured a celebrity and dozens of accusers. The two trials involved different witnesses, different lawyers and different jurors.

Even with these caveats, I do see the conviction as a mark of progress — progress that is best understood in relation to the work of #MeToo. First, Andrea Constand, the main accuser in the case, was believed. She did not face the “credibility discounting” that usually confronts women who make allegations of sexual assault and harassment. As I have described in a recent paper, police officers, prosecutors and jurors tend to default to doubt when evaluating the credibility of an accuser.

Even abundantly corroborated allegations of sexual

assault may not result in prosecution, much less conviction. Credibility discounting helps to explain research showing that sexual assault very rarely results in criminal justice accountability. #MeToo offers a much needed corrective. While not all allegations are true, of course, starting from a position of not believing women who allege sexual assault reflects a widely held set of misconceptions and biases. The defense in the Cosby trial revived many of those tired tropes of lying women, but this time, the jury rejected them. This suggests that we are recalibrating our judgments about who to believe.

We are also rethinking the meaning of consent.

While the Cosby case was in many ways a credibility contest, it has opened a window into how the criminal justice system treats victims who appear to be “passive” in the face of their abuse. During their deliberations, the first clarification the jury asked for was a definition of consent. This is presumably because there was some confusion about whether Ms. Constand, who testified that she was limp and “could not fight him off,” gave consent.

Because Pennsylvania state law provides no definition of consent, the judge instructed the jury to use “common sense” in interpreting the term. In the past, this would not necessarily have resulted in a conviction. Indeed, a physical resistance

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requirement was traditionally a mainstay of the criminal law around sexual assault. Common sense has evolved, and the jury’s verdict reflects this new consensus: an immobilized woman is not consenting.

As the meaning of consent is changing, so too is its importance. The crux of sexual assault was once violent physical force. This meant that nonconsensual penetration was not, in itself, a real concern. Until fairly recently, the law did not criminalize non-forcible penetration, and many states continue to include “force” in their legal definitions of sexual assault. But real harm results from nonconsensual sex acts, even when they are inflicted without physical force. As the #MeToo movement underscores and the Cosby conviction affirms, trusted friends, mentors, co-workers and dates — people who often use no force — can inflict grave harm on their victims.

Last, #MeToo has illuminated how powerful men can abuse their positions of success and authority.

Behaviors on the part of those abused may have seemed odd and inexplicable before. Now they are more readily grasped in context. And victims are somewhat less likely to be blamed for their own behavior, including their choice of dress.

To be sure, the criminal justice system will continue to be challenged by allegations of non-stranger sexual assault. In the Cosby case, five women in addition to Ms. Constand were permitted to testify to establish a pattern of behavior. Likewise, many highly publicized scandals in the #MeToo era have revealed patterns of behavior, through the accusations of multiple women against the same

man. But multiple women should not be necessary to corroborate a sole woman’s account.

Nor should we pretend that all women are judged equally. Poor women, women of color, and trans women, among others, continue to confront especially high barriers to justice.

We are heading in the right direction, however. As we continue to reckon as a society with how sexual violence is perpetrated — normally not by a stranger in an alley with a knife — longstanding myths and biases will loosen their hold.

More sexual violence survivors will be empowered to recount violations to family members, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even law enforcement officials. For these survivors, the possibility of justice, even justice delayed, is slowly becoming more real.

Critical Questions: 1) How did the #MeToo movement play a role in the jury’s decision to convict Bill Cosby?

2) What are other examples of movements influencing critical court cases?

3) How do you think we can combat the stigma against speaking up about sexual assault in our everyday lives?

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Headlines of the Month

Judge Bates Overrules Trump’s Plan to Rescind DACA

On April 24, Judge John Bates of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia overruled the Trump administration’s decision to rescind DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) this past September, and gave the administration 90 days to adequately justify its decision before the program is completely restored. This means that if the Department of Homeland Security fails to release a sufficient memo within the next 90 days, both previous recipients and new applicants will be allowed to have DACA status. Prior to Bates’ ruling, two district court judges from San Francisco and Brooklyn made similar statements about the administration’s decision and also made injunctions declaring that the administration must accept renewal applications while the program was still being debated. Bates, however, is the first judge to demand the acceptance of new applications. The judge’s decision has already faced pushback from the Justice Department, and the department promises to continue defending their case.

to change his public image in preparation for his meeting with President Trump in May.

Desi Linden First Woman to Win the Boston Marathon in 33 Years

On April 16, Desi Linden became the first woman to win the Boston Marathon in 33 years. The weather for this year’s marathon was far from ideal, with headwinds at 20 mph and a complete downpour. However, as pointed out by her coach and others, this particular race required the tactical thinking that Linden was built for. Prior to the race, Linden was the least expected to break the record compared to New York Marathon champion and four-time Olympian Shane Flanagan and two-time Olympian Molly Huddle.

Despite these expectations, not only did Linden win the marathon, she helped all of the women expected to win reconnect with the marathon throughout the race.

Man Kills 10 people in Toronto, Found to Be Act of Gender-based Violence

Kim Jong Un Makes Shocking First Step into South Korea

On Friday, April 27 , North Korean president Kim Jong Un took a surprising step across the South Korean border for a summit with South Korean president Moon Jae-in. The summit consisted of several meals and ceremonies, and ended with the two presidents signing an agreement to work towards denuclearization of their countries. Although the meeting appeared to be amicable, the North and South Korean presidents shared many handshakes and hugs throughout the meeting many are skeptical of Kim’s sudden change of heart. Some say that Kim is making an attempt

On Monday, April 23, Alek Minassian drove a van into a crowded Toronto street, killing 10 people. The majority of the victims were women, and after reviewing his Facebook post prior to the incident praising “incels” or “involuntary celibates”, a misogynist group that punishes women for rejecting them, it became clear that this was an act of gender-based violence. While many people in Toronto were initially shocked by the event, Minaissian’s act of violence caused people to reflect on the prevalence of misogyny and gender-based violence in Canada. Many women in Canada have experienced gender-violence at least once in their lives, and several acts of violence specifically targeting women still haunt Canada, particularly the École Polytechnique massacre. This tragic event has been a reminder to many that sexism is prevalent everywhere, 9 even in the most developed countries.

CLASS OF 2017: Leaders of the Month "BALI was such an amazing experience. Throughout my life I have been an extremely shy person however, with BALI I was taught to be confident in myself and in what I have to say. BALI really brought me out of my shell and taught me what it means to be a true leader. A leader not only speaks up for herself but also for the best interests of others. Now I am comfortable with my words and focus less on what I think others might think of me and focus more on the importance of what needs to be said.

BALI helped me overcome my fear of public speaking. Not only did I find my voice, but I found my true self which I know is vital to express to the world in order to help make the world a better place for all girls and women."

-- Angelica Lopez-Tucker, Grade 7, PEARLS Hawthorne School “BALI taught me what confidence truly is. Confidence is individually loving your own qualities and abilities without putting others down. BALI taught me to be confident by learning to be unapologetic because my voice matters and I deserve to be heard. Throughout my life I have struggled being confident expressing myself but BALI provided a safe and supportive environment that pushed me to thrive. BALI taught me that confidence comes with collaboration because young girls face a lot of hardships and we can't fight for equality alone.”

-- Mia Sternoff, Grade 12, Bard High School

“I have learned to overcome fear because of BALI. BALI has helped me blossom into a person that can speak for myself. I have learned how to be a feminist and that a feminist believes that women should be empowered but that all types of people are equal. BALI has showed me that I, as a girl have many options in life and I can be equally as good as something as anyone else.”

-- Donna Celestano, Grade 6, Columbia Secondary School 10

Winnie Mandela, Activist, dies at 81

Anti-apartheid

Original article from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/02/world/africa/winniemandela-dead.html, by Alan Cowell On April 2, Winnie Mandela, anti apartheid activist, and wife of deceased former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, passed away at 81 years old. Mandela, who was broadly known because of her marriage to Nelson Mandela, was, in her own right, a “charming, intelligent, complex, fiery and eloquent.” She detested being compared to her husband, and sought to create her own identity, a mission which proved to be a lifelong struggle.

As Mr. Mandela served his time in prison, the 27 years served as her chance to become a channel for information about him, to his supporters. She was unable to completely fulfill this task, as she didn’t visit often, and wasn’t allowed physical contact. Her reputation became tarnished further during this time, as allegations of “extreme brutality toward suspected turncoats, misbehavior and indiscretion in her private life, and a radicalism that seemed at odds with Mr. Mandela’s quest for racial inclusiveness” surfaced.

Nevertheless, she stayed within Nelson Mandela’s circle, despite their later estrangement, and divorce.

Winnie Mandela’s life as an activist, despite often overshadowed by her husband’s, existed and persisted. She was a leader in the anti-apartheid movement, and a rebel of her own accord, working to end systematic oppression, while creating a name for herself.

Beyoncé Wows at“Beychella,” as the First Black Woman to Headline Original article from https://www.rollingstone.com/music/livereviews/beyonce-transforms-coachella-into-beychellareunites-destinys-child-w519140 , by Suzy Exposito The days of “Coachella” are gone as we know it; all the rave now is “Beychella,” the Beyonce-curated phenomenon that has rocked the nation. Beyoncé, the first black woman to headline the festival in its history, was wildly successful, performing with JayZ, Solange, and reuniting with Destiny’s Child. It was her first live performance since giving birth to her twins, and she didn’t disappoint.

In an unprecedented move, definitely unexpected by much of the “Beyhive,” Beyoncé did not release new music before the performance, choosing to sing some of her greatest hits. She livestreamed the performance, and over 458,000 people tuned in. Add an additional 125,000 live viewers at the festival, Beyoncé’s performance reached masses of grateful fans.

Some of the most memorable moments of the performance? Her emergence to the stage as Queen Nefertiti to sing “Crazy in Love,” her personal marching band, orchestra, and stunningly talented dance team, joined together under the theme of Beyoncé’s own personal fraternity- “Beta Delta Kappa.” In all, it was a versatile and absolutely unforgettable performance that well deservedly earned DJ Khaled’s dubbing of the festival, “Beychella.”

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Looking for Enrichment Opportunities?

Black Girls Code offers programming and events in coding for African American girls.

Brotherhood/Sister Sol offers afterschool and summer programming in relationshipbuilding, self/global awareness, social justice, leadership development, and more. Some of their programs are gender-specific.

ChickTech offers programming and mentorship in STEM for high school girls.

Curious Jane offers classes and summer programming in science, theatre, arts and crafts, and more for girls.

Digital Girl, Inc. works at high schools to provide programming in STEM and offers tech workshops for the community.

Girl Be Heard works in high schools to teach girls about gender, race, and class through theatre, and offers workshops and performances.

Girl Vow offers education, mentorship, advocacy, and life skills training for girls.

Girls for Gender Equity offers programming in community advocacy, leadership, and social justice for girls.

Girls Inc. offers programming in statistical analysis, economic literacy, leadership and community action, STEM, media literacy, athletics, sexual health education, substance abuse prevention, self-defense, and more for girls ages 6-18.

Girls Leadership offers Parent & Daughter workshops, parent education, and summer day camps for girls entering grades 4 and 5.

Girls on the Run offers a physical activity based youth development program for girls in grades 3-8.

Girls Who Code offers afterschool and summer programming in coding for middle and high school girls.

Girls Write Now offers mentoring programs in writing, digital media, and college preparation for girls.

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Click on programs names For More Info!

GOALS for Girls offers year-round programming, a summer intensive, weekend forums, and internships in STEM for middle and high school girls.

LOVE Mentoring works at high schools to deliver small-group mentoring for young Latinas.

Life is Precious offers individual and group counseling, arts therapy, academic support, and nutritional and fitness activities to prevent suicide among young Latinas.

Lower Eastside Girls Club provides programming in STEM, business, art, leadership, and advocacy, as well as mentoring for girls in grades 6-12.

NYC GREAT! offers programming and mentoring in college and career readiness for high school girls.

NYU GSTEM is a six-week summer program for high school girls during the summer between their junior and senior years who have high aptitude in STEM subjects.

Powerplay NYC works in elementary, middle, and high schools to offer afterschool programming in physical activity and healthy living.

Sadie Nash Leadership Project provides afterschool and summer programming in leadership and social justice for girls ages 14-22.

Soul Sisters Leadership Collective works in schools to offer workshops to explore issues faced by young women of color.

Vibe Theatre Experience offers theatre and media programming for girls ages 13-19.

Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls offers afterschool and summer music programing for girls.

YWCA provides programming in leadership and advocacy, STEAM, career and college exploration, and more for girls.

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BALI Staff

Liz Abzug

Oriela Baliaj

Gabriela Valette

Founder & Executive Director

Senior Program Associate

Program Coordinator

BALI Board of Directors Liz J. Abzug, Founder/Executive Director Erica Forman, Board-Chair Meg Holzer, Secretary Cynthia McKnight, Treasurer Erica Forman, Chair Eija Ayravainen Gloria Steinem Joanne Davila Maya Catherine Popa Maya C. Popa

Claire Reed Harold Holzer Jonathan Greenberg Judy Lerner Liz Cooper

Betsy Scheinbart-Norton Jerry Goldfeder A.J. Lederman Kylie Reiffert Kai Gilchrist 14

The Bella Bulletin Staff Gisselle Rodriguez Benitez Editor-in-Chief School: Northeastern University Major: Economics BALI Class of: 2016 Email: gisselle@abzuginstitute.org

Wilma Abam-Depass Section Editor School: Croton High School Grade: 11th BALI Class of: 2017

Zoe Donovan Section Editor School: Bard Early College Grade: 11th BALI Class of: 2017

Adriana Rodriguez Section Editor School: Brown University Major: Political Science BALI Class of: 2016

for inquiries and suggestions, email bulletin@abzuginstitute.org

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