The Amazonian Spring 2015

Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated

Spring 2015

Inside The Karma of a Woman Women’s Issues: A Call to Raise Our Voices The Neo Experience: NMGC Conference

From Our President

Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. National Governing Council 2014 - 2016 Josie Acosta Haumea National President Dagersy Cedano Themiskyra National Vice President Lorimar Santiago Concordia National Secretary Lya Cadena Siksika National Treasurer Lillian Sierra Founding Mother National Officer of Membership Sylvia Vigo-Smith Founding Mother National Assistant Officer of Membership Ana Estevez Zaona National New Chapter Advisor Jennifer Rencher-Ndombi Siksika National Historian Sabrina Colón Dhyani National Officer of Communications Monifa Ellis Zaona National Step Director Nicole Mitchell Dhyani National Officer of Community Affairs Ely Duran Las Conquistadoras National Officer of Public Relations

Happy New Year to you! I hope all of you had the opportunity to enjoy the company of family and friends as well as enjoy some relaxing time over the holiday season.

2014 was a successful year for Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. We welcomed 53 bright new sisters and two new chapters.

We launched a brand new interactive website designed to provide our sisters with exclusive resources and increased communication. We also experienced an upturn in positivity during our 33rd anniversary with the Amazon Race and initiatives such as the E.M.E.R.G.E. Program, Aretias Mentorship Program, and Mu Mail. The year ahead holds promise of even more vibrant initiatives designed to bring our sisterhood closer and continue on this path of growth and positivity.

With that being said, your support is needed! We have a busy semester ahead of us with quite a few chapters hosting new member intake and we need every hand on deck. Would you consider getting involved in an undergraduate chapter, Aretias, or Convention Committee this year? Any amount of time you can offer MSU will help and be greatly appreciated. Together, we can grow our sisterhood and expand the influences we have on our universities, communities, and sisters in 2015!

This year, we will mark our 11th annual convention and we are planning a weekend full of bonding, training, and celebration. We expect that the weekend will be a lot of fun in beautiful Tampa, FL so pack your swimsuits and I hope to see every one of you there.

On behalf of your National Governing Council I want to thank every sister for what you do each day to enrich our organization. We wish you a successful semester and can’t wait to see you at convention!

Josie Acosta NGC President 2014-2016

Ashley Hill Haumea National Programming Chair Adrienne Cummings Anansi National Officer of Retention

Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated was founded on November 21, 1981, at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ as the first multicultural Greek letter society in the nation.

Danielle Smith Amazona National Officer of Risk Management

Founding Mothers Eve Bracero, Lillian Sierra, Karinee Candelario, Ruth Gonzalez, Sylvia Vigo

Inside this Issue 1

Greek Unity: The Neo Experience

3

Our Chapters: Atitlán

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Cover Story: SMART Ride

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The Karma of a Woman

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Women’s Issues: A Call to Raise Our Voices

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Summer & Fall 2014 Graduates

Editor’s Desk My time as the National Officer of Communications is sadly coming to an end. I had so much fun the last year and a half working to tell the stories of my Sisters. You all inspire me everyday.

Now the search is on for someone to take my place. I’m on the lookout for a Sister that is not only interested in the technical aspect of communications, but with a forward thinking outlook to take our organization to the next level. There are so many talented ladies in this organization and I can’t wait to see where you take us next.

In Sisterhood,

Sabrina Colón

National Officer of Communications

The Amazonian Official newsletter of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc Editor Sabrina Colón National Officer of Communications Contributing Writers Raquel Valls, Haumea Chapter Ynanna Djehuty, Orisha Chapter Barbara Pierson, Nysa Chapter Kiani Lozada, Atitlán Chapter On the cover: Raquel Valls, Haumea Chapter The Amazonian is published three times a year. Send inquiries and submissions to: Communications@MSU1981.org www.MSU1981.org PO Box 7728 North Bergen, NJ 07047

Greek Unity

The Neo Experience: NMGC Conference Kiani Lozada

In the Fall of 2014, I began my journey into the bluetiful sisterhood of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated, and reached the baby blue light with my four line sisters. My name is Kiani “Oracle” Lozada, I am a founding sister of the 54th chapter of MSU, Atitlán, at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. We all came a long way, but once we made it through, a question still lingered in our minds; how do we make a name for our newly founded chapter and how do we stand out?

Five days after our crossing, our National Historian, Jen Rencher, presented me with the opportunity of being sponsored to attend the Bi-Annual Winter National Multicultural Greek Council Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

I took advantage of the opportunity and applied for the sponsorship, despite the voice in my head that told me there was no way that I would be chosen after only being a sister for five days. Surely, there were much more experienced sisters that would be better representatives than myself, right? It turned out that the odds were ever in my favor and I found out the next day that I had been chosen as the third undergraduate to ever attend an NMGC conference. Everyone was immensely proud of me, although I wasn’t able to completely wrap my mind around how great of an opportunity this would be. My heart felt as if it would fall out of my chest and onto my desk as I began to arrange my travel itinerary. For those of you who may not know, the Atitlán chapter

is located in Indiana, Pennsylvania which is a little over an hour away from Pittsburgh. We are, quite honestly, in the middle of nowhere and I had to figure out how to get myself to Nashville. When the day of the conference finally came, it took one bus and two planes to make it to the Music City. By the way, they aren’t kidding when they call Nashville the Music City. Downtown is bustling with music and lively history; It was an incredible sight to see as musicians were playing live in every establishment that we passed by.

There are also cowboy boots for sale everywhere you look!

As the time for the conference arrived, my mind overflowed with the amount of questions I had, being so new to my own sorority The Amazonian – Spring 2015 | 1

and the multicultural Greek world.

However, once I organized my thoughts and gathered answers, I was able to understand and keep up with the events of the conference. Established in 1988, the NMGC is an umbrella council for Multicultural Greek-letter organizations. The purpose of NMGC is to provide a forum that allows for the free exchange of ideas, programs, and services between its organizations; to promote the awareness of multicultural diversity within universities and their communities, and to support and promote the works of its member organizations. The majority of the conference was devoted to the official business meeting in which we discussed various topics relating

Jennifer Rencher, Kiani Lozada, Josie Acosta and Karimah Prescott 2 | Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

to governing the NMGC effectively, as well as each organization’s updates on their activities. Aside from the official meeting, we also attended a workshop in which we discussed topics such as Greek life and mental health awareness. Last but not least, we also attended a fellowship dinner in which I had the opportunity to get to know the other great organizations within NMGC. During my short time in Nashville, I gained valuable insight into the Greek world beyond MSU, as well as a deeper knowledge of MSU’s history. Those experiences and knowledge instilled an even greater pride in my new sister status within MSU. With everything I witnessed and was taught, I hope to positively influence the

development of our newly founded chapter and to push myself to be a great sister.

I’d like to give a special thank you to the National Governing Council for sponsoring me on this amazing experience, and to the sisters who made me feel welcome during our short time together while they answered my many neo questions.

Josie Acosta, Jen Rencher, Karimah Prescott, Angelica Matos, and Limaris Perez; thank you all for the experience, our time in Nashville will never be forgotten. Also, thank you to my Chapter sisters and to Jennifer Castro, Dessire Miller, and Adrienne Rodriguez for raising me to take chances for the better.

Our Chapters

Shayla Torres, Kiani Lozada, Garlinh Ha, Pamela Guzman and Chantel Cumberbatch

Atitlán

Breaking New Ground

At the culmination of an amazing learning process, five astonishing women emerged as sisters of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated and founded the 54th chapter of this sophisticated sisterhood at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), in Indiana, PA. These women are all of different ethnicities and cultures, but all together they share a bond that is unbreakable and they aim to create a great change on IUP’s campus.

The face of the line, Ms. Shayla Torres, nicknamed “Headlines”, is a vibrant young lady who is in her third year as a Pre-Med Biology major and will pursue a career in the Physician Assistance field. She is always motivated to accomplish great things and is of Puerto Rican descent. Ms. Kiani Lozada, the “Oracle” of the line, is also Puerto Rican, and is a sophomore majoring

in Communications Media. Though she can be shy at first, she has an open mind and is always ready to share her knowledge. The number three of the line, the “Gladiatrix” is Ms. Garlinh Ha, a very strong and outgoing woman who is in her last semester as a Natural Science and Mathematics major. With phenomenal cooking skills and a passion for helping others, she shines bright with her line sisters and is Vietnamese and Italian.

Number five, Ms. Pamela Guzman, is of Dominican background.

Nicknamed “iCloud”, she is in her third year of a Psychology major, and loves to dance. She is always eager to be involved and is almost never seen without a smile on her face. Last but not least, Ms. Chantel Cumberbatch, “Pandora”, majors in Musical Theater and has an amazing voice. She is Trinidadian and her

voice is only matched by her ability to perform and express herself in a way that is exclusively her own. The Atitlán chapter has the great honor of being the very first multicultural sorority to break ground on IUP’s campus. The name, Atitlán, is derived from the name of the most beautiful lake in the world according various geological and traveling sources. In the ancient Mayan language, Atitlán means “the place where the rainbow gets its colors”. This translation reflects the aim of the Atitlán chapter to bring diversity and spread the love of multiculturalism on the IUP campus. With great things in store for the future, the Atitlán chapter could not be prouder to be a part of Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Incorporated and will strive to achieve the esteemed goals of this bluetiful sisterhood.

The Amazonian – Spring 2015 | 3

Raquel Valls

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has� – Margaret Mead In the beginning of 2010, my world changed when I learned that my brother tested positive for HIV. For a moment (well much longer than a moment) I feared losing him.

I remember coming home that night, replaying him sharing the news with us over and over again, waiting for the moment when I would wake up. This could not be real. Something like this could not happen, not in my family, not to someone I love so much, not to my brother. But it did.

I can say that in the years since, life has changed. For me, I took this opportunity to learn and grow. I made conscious efforts to learn about HIV and AIDS. I 4 | Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

took personal responsibility for my learning and shifted some of my social service work to direct service with HIV/AIDS patients, gaining firsthand knowledge on both the medical and mental health effects.

For my brother, I have seen him take better care of himself than he ever had before and continue to witness his drive to live a full and healthy life not only for himself, but for those who love him dearly. I am continuously inspired by him.

In the years that have followed, we have learned more, prayed more, hugged more, shared more, and lived more.

The SMART Ride In the summer of 2013, my brother announced he was signing up to participate in SMART Ride 10, a two day 165 mile bicycle ride from Miami to Key West for HIV/AIDS awareness. It was the first I had heard of the event and was truly amazed to learn that every penny raised goes directly to the cause.

I told my brother that if the ride went well for him, I would join

him the following year. That fall he conquered the 165 mile journey and I knew it was time for me to take a bigger step in doing my part.

The SMART Ride was born out of a dream to make a real and significant difference in the lives of those infected, affected and at risk for HIV/AIDS. It was proposed in 2002 and was designed to guarantee every penny raised will be given to AIDS Service Organizations and directed to prevention, education and direct services. The thought of 100% is one that truly is unheard of and because of that, there was a lot of skepticism about the reality of meeting the goal. The ride became a reality in November 2003 with less than 100 riders and about 100 crew members, raising $169,000 and they returned it all to AIDS Service Organizations. A decade later over $5.3 million has been distributed throughout the state of Florida, making SMART Ride the second largest AIDS bicycle ride in the country and the only one of its size to give back 100%.

The ride usually attracts between 400-500 participants with each

event, but touches thousands more on the road and with each donation that is made. Last year, close to 10,000 people donated to The SMART Ride. Riders and crew range in age from 18 to 73.

They become involved for various reasons. Some are Positive, some have lost someone to HIV/AIDS, some know someone living with HIV/AIDS, and some well, they just believe it is the right thing to do.

August was well under way and I realized that if I was going to make this happen, it was time to get started. Three months for a novice would not be near enough time. I registered for the ride and was about to embark on a journey to raise the minimum required for each participant of $1,250.

I have participated in countless charity events since I was in high school, some with a minimum donation required, but never $1,250. With only three months to get the word out and begin collecting, I feared not having enough come event time and having to withdraw from the

ride. I imagined the heartbreak of investing so much time and not being able to cross the finish line. If I did not raise enough, I would still have the opportunity to participate as a crew member.

It would never be a lost cause but definitely would not be as fulfilling in my mind. Despite the fears, I felt if I worked hard enough I could make it happen so I decided to set my personal goal a little bit higher at $1,500. I did not want to be too ambitious but I truly believed in the cause and knew that every dollar was going to count.

The amount of support I received was unbelievable. Family, friends, and even friends of friends, donated to the ride and sent inspiring messages and advice to help me in my venture. Support came from multiple cities across the United States and even Peru. By the time of the event I even exceeded my personal goal.

Preparing for the ride It’s amazing how much goes into cycling. When I decided to take on the challenge of the SMART Ride,

I had no idea how much would be involved. Our first trip to the bicycle shop was pretty intense.

There was so much to cover in very little time. I had to pick out my bike, select all the necessary accessories for the bike and try on gear. I started out clueless. Then I had to learn how to work all the moving parts and how to walk in my new special shoes. This is when it dawned on me; this was going to one hell of a learning experience.

How do you train for a 165 mile bike ride when you have not ridden a bike in years?

The day after I signed up for the ride, I knew next order of business was to sign up for the gym.

During the week I committed to attending gym classes: spinning classes a minimum of three times a week, weight training at least two days, and a weekly dose of yoga. My weekends, particularly Sunday mornings, were dedicated to time on the road and getting used to long distances on the bike, alongside my trainer, my brother.

My first day on the bike, I fell twice. Who ever thought up the The Amazonian – Spring 2015 | 5

saying “it’s like riding a bike” obviously never rode a road bike with clipless pedals. Lesson 1: Clip in, clip out and stop. The hardest lesson of them all and I had to learn it before anything else or I would not make it very far. Throughout my training I learned to conquer bridges, practiced riding long distance while working hard on increasing my average speed, and learned the dynamics of riding with a team.

Very quickly the days, weeks and months went by. In a blink of an eye, orientation day arrived.

Day 1 On Friday November 14, hundreds of riders gathered at 5:00 am at Morning Star Renewal Center.

We packed our overnight bags on the truck headed south and met for breakfast. We participated in a group stretch and then gathered for a brief team meeting before the ride began. The moment the sun rose, we all got on our bikes and started to slowly make our way on the road.

The start of the ride required a lot of attention and concentration with riders very close to one another trying to ride in a group as we made it out on to the main road.

About fifteen seconds into the ride, I was praying that I would not fall over with my shoes stuck in the clips. Very shortly after we made it through the starting line, the groups started to thin out making it much easier to travel. The first day was a little over a ten hour trip, counting all of our rest stops and lunch. We were blessed with great weather on our journey. The roads were not shut down during the ride so we maintained our course alongside regular traffic.

Experiencing the trip through 6 | Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

the Florida Keys on a bike as opposed to a car truly gave me an opportunity to pay attention to places and landmarks that I never really noticed before. A little passed 5:00 pm, with 101 miles behind us, we finally arrived at the hotel. All I wanted was a really good shower and a bed to lie on. After what was probably the best shower I have ever had in my life, I attended the event dinner with my team. Immediately after eating I was ready to tap out.

By 8:00 pm I was lying in bed trying to recover before finishing the ride the following day.

Day 2 Getting back on the bike after 101 miles was tough. My whole body ached. I feared being too far behind during day two which could potentially mean I could be picked up by the crew, so getting on the road as early as possible was imperative. With my team still trying to get everyone together to depart, I decided I would ride out with another group to get started. I expected my teammates to catch up pretty easily and end up passing me like the day prior. One other team member joined me as I departed and he became my riding buddy for the rest of day two.

Very early into the second day’s route was the very famous and highly anticipated seven mile bridge. Seven full miles with nothing but the wind blowing, overlooking the water on both sides, a narrow bike lane, cars driving inches away from us, and a red cape on our back. The SMART Ride organizers requested riders wear a red cape on day two, hoping to get video footage of the riders on the bridge and increasing the speed on the final cut to create one long red ribbon.

The seven miles on that bridge were absolutely refreshing. Most of my time on the bridge was spent riding single file in a line of dozens of riders. During the incline, I was able to get a real idea of how many people I was sharing this experience with. I was simply mesmerized and cannot even remember the struggle of the push uphill. Once I reached the top I simply remember a brief pause of all my thoughts to take it all in, then riding downhill in line with dozens of riders. Seeing red capes flapping in the wind, with oceans and islands surrounding us, was absolutely incredible.

Mile 165 There was no greater moment than when we turned into Key West High School and circled the loop that marked the finish line. Not only was I still in disbelief that I completed the journey but was completely in awe that I came around the circle first of all eleven team members. Hitting the finish line was so glorious. I could not believe I was done.

Once all of the riders were gathered at the finish line, it was time to prepare for the parade. The parade ran from the high school down to White Street Pier where the closing ceremony was held. Ironically, the one mile ride in the parade was the hardest part of the event.

Maintaining a speed of about three miles an hour, riding in a giant crowd of over 400 people, with spectators all around and having a few impulsive people try to run across the street because they are too impatient to let the parade go by, was extremely difficult to do. It was, however, an incredible experience. Hundreds of spectators cheered as we rode by. Many were asking what the parade was for and then you could hear them sharing

the news with others. Over 400 of us rode from Miami to Key West, in efforts to raise awareness of HIV and AIDS, and in this moment, we were spreading more awareness than we could have imagined.

The emotion that poured over everyone at the closing ceremony was extraordinary. Though we were all so tired from the two days of cycling, there truly was so much to celebrate.

The Grand Finale

Participating in this event is a moment in my life that I am sure I will never forget. I am blessed to have met so many people. I am humbled that I was able to push my own limits, on several occasions. I am honored that I was able to exceed my fundraising goal and contribute to such a great cause. More than anything, I am grateful that I was able to share this experience with my own personal hero, my brother, the reason I rode.

Over 400 riders and 200 crew members gathered at the White Street pier for the closing ceremonies. This year’s SMART Ride brought in riders from 26 states. By the time of the ceremony, $1,109,924 in donations was accounted for. This year we had one rider, a first time rider at that, who raised a total of $80,000 for HIV/AIDS. Incredible! These donations added to the grand total of $5.3 million raised to date for all SMART Rides combined.

A million thank yous to everyone who supported me on this journey.

Your inspiring messages, advice, and of course, donations supporting Raquel with her cycling team

the cause, made this possible for me. Above all, thank you to my brother, Troy, who was by my side from registration to the finish line, to my mom who will forever be our loudest and proudest cheerleader, and to my support at home, Aldo and Aldo Jr. who gave me the time I needed to train and the resources to make this happen.

This experience will be hard to top but I do look forward to participating in this ride in the years to come. I believe that together we can make a real difference; we can change the world, and help free future generations of living with HIV, while helping those already affected, infected or at risk today stay healthy.

For more information on the SMART Ride, visit www.thesmartride.org.

A very special thank you to my donors near and far: Aaron Mitchell, Alexandra Montoya, Alexandros Kourembanas, Anaely Vazquez, Annie Carpio-Tirado, Audie Torres, Bautista Family, Carmen Amoros, Carmen Tower, Carolina Venturi, Christine EstepaSardiña, Claudia Quintana, Cristina Naranjo, Cynthia Rodriguez, D. Elizabeth Almonte, Danielle Fitzpatrick, Deborah Wilson, Denise Fournier, Denisse Garcia Corrochano, Dinnette Medina, Ebony Montenegro, Eileen Guzman, Elizabeth DeJesus, Freddy Rambay, GeraLee Corona, Hansel Tookes & Peter Ortega, Helena Oates, Irene Silva, Janeysa Sanchez, Janice Delahunt, Janlou Borges, Jessica Ruiz, Josie Acosta, Katrina Figueredo, Lazaro Otano, Leslie Veiga, Lisette Ortiz, Lissette Machado, Maria Elena Baldor, Maria Mendoza, Maria Soledad Gomez, Marisa Caballero, Maritza Rojas, Mick Pacheco, Monica Friedman, Nely Violeta Cepeda, Nicole & Javier Bertran, Patricia Feraco, Patricia Scerpella, Paul Sr. & Monica Lerma, Ricardo Garcia Rosario, Ro LaHara, Rosie Pacheco, Sonia Aguayo, Wendy Cherenfant, The Amazonian Yolanda Valls – Spring 2015 | 7

Barbara Pierson during her book launch party for The Karma of a Woman.

The Karma of a

Woman Barbara Pierson

My words are for those who feel like there are just. no. words...

Abortion is a loaded word. It rolls off my tongue about as smoothly as a rolling pin of daggers pointed towards my throat, making it harder and harder for me to say out loud each time. So, I write. I write because the flow of the ink on paper is smoother, easier to digest. I write because I depend on my pen to help me find the words that my 8 | Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

brain does not have the courage to muster on its own. I write because the religious, political and moral implications of my experience have me tied to a chair with duct tape on my mouth, making it impossible for me, for any woman, to express her story freely. I write for my sisterhood of fellow mommies to never be. I write for me.

Acceptance. Self-acceptance hands me the key to getting through the locked doors of my mind anytime

I have ventured down the hallway where the souls of my unborn children sleep forever. Sometimes I knock, softly, asking them to wake up so I may spend some time with them. Other times, I walk right by and pretend they just aren’t there.

A hallway that many women have built within the most secret parts of their being. Some of these hallways are filled with rooms while others are filled with boxes. Boxes sealed so tight as to not be tempted to open

up and revisit the painful memories of life that could have been.

2008. I waited until the Valium wore off before I sat at my desk to write down what I had just done.

In fact, I probably waited a few days until I was brave enough to even think of writing what I had just done… again. Facebook was very new at the time and the best social media outlet for me to have posted my words. I wanted, no, I NEEDED people to see what I had wrote. I needed to get it out.

If not, it would become so stuck inside of me that if I’d sweat it would smell like guilt and shame.

Within minutes my post had received an overwhelming response from friends who were moved, who felt healed. “You should have this published….”, someone wrote.

Yeah right!

Years passed, life happened. In that time I’d encountered many women who have shared their similar experience with me. I shared my poem with those few with the intentions of helping them feel like they weren’t alone. Some of my chapter sisters even went so far as to perform my poem as a spoken word piece at an open mic show.

Whoa…

2014. Eight months pregnant with my third child. Bored to tears from being unable to move around too much, I took to Facebook for some daily dose of entertainment. I stumbled across my old poem and instantly felt my hormones come crashing down onto my heart. “You should have this published …”.

Yep, maybe I will do just that. Of course I had NO IDEA what that entailed, but luckily I was pointed in the direction of a publisher who fell in love with my poem,

explained the entire process to me, and literally, within hours, I had a deal on the table. I reached out to my soul sister-in-law, Kimberly Febo and she agreed to read my poem and produce the artwork for our book through mediation and creating mandalas. Our partnership was nothing short of organic. As everything unfolded, I made an agreement with myself that I would not be attached to the monetary outcome of this new venture. I was not looking to make millions off this. I was looking to reach a wider audience because I knew there were women out there who needed this.

They needed words. They needed pictures. They needed healing.

After a few short months, our final product had reached the hands of women everywhere via Amazon and Barnes & Nobles.

I hadn’t realized the grandiosity of publishing a book. I had just given birth to Julian, my third child, so it was all very surreal, emotional and overwhelming. In promoting, I had gained a possible business relationship with Planned Parenthood on a national level as

well as become an online support counselor for various worldwide abortion healing groups. I was even lucky enough to be able to hand a personalized copy of my book to the lovely Beyoncé herself at the restaurant I work at in which she frequents with her husband for date nights. She has since told me that I am “brave… an inspiration” and that my story had brought her to tears, and how proud she was of me for putting it out there like that.

Double whoa!…

This experience has been scary but overall very fulfilling and very much validating. It has played such an important role in my own process of healing as well. People ask me all the time if I am pro-life because I have children, or if I am pro-choice because I have terminated my own pregnancies. To them I say: I will not squeeze into one of your check boxes of pre-notions and judgments. At the end of the day I am PRO-VOICE! And I am here to let you know that you are not alone.

The Karma of a Woman is available as a paperback and e-book at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

MSU Sisters supporting Barbara at her book launch party.

The Amazonian – Spring 2015 | 9

Women’s Issues

A Call to Raise Our Voices: Human Rights Violations in the United States Ynanna Djehuty

10 | Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc.

Asheville, North Carolina, USA - August 5, 2013: Woman Protest at Moral Monday Rally in Asheville, NC

Watching humans come into the world through women is one of the most influential experiences of my life. Being a birthworker affirms my reverence for life. It reminds me about what is worth fighting for: the respect for human life and its basic needs. Growing up in the Bronx showed me first-hand what matters. It called me into action as a writer and marginalized woman to speak on how human rights are being violated in the United States throughout our reproductive life.

How do I erase the look of terror and pain on a woman’s face as her membranes are stripped without a full explanation? What of the many rough speculums entering women with no way to report abuse? Of doctors saying, “You have enough sex. You should be used to this”?

This is cruel. This is inhumane. This is violent.

I found support through the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR)’s briefing paper, “Reproductive Rights Violation as Torture and Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment: A Critical Human Rights Analysis.”

It outlines the abuses women suffer when their reproductive rights are violated; abuses that inflict physical, emotional, mental and spiritual pain. Furthermore, these abuses amount to torture or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment (CIDT) that are prohibited in international human rights law.

The briefing paper shows that many reproductive rights violations in the U.S meet the legal requirement for CIDT. It enrages me that women are experiencing violence throughout their reproductive life and health.

Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking of all.” – Martin Luther King Jr. According to Amnesty International in 2011, the United States is one of the most dangerous countries for women to give birth – it ranks 50th in the world. In other words, women face a greater risk of maternal death than in 49 other countries. To further expound the situation, issues of race and class make the numbers of maternal mortality rise. This tragic story of reproductive health in the United States is made more severe by the roadblocks to adequate health care – lack of equal access to annual exams, mammograms, family planning education, prenatal care, publicly funded care, STD testing and conscientious health workers.

On a local level, we must recognize that our basic needs are of the utmost importance. When we acknowledge that humane treatment should never be denied, we can demand better care. I have asked myself why I have felt that I didn’t deserve to have my body respected; this question is important to deconstruct our own internal barriers to demanding justice. In helping others, I have found my voice to be the proverbial change I want to see in the world. My solution is sharing information.

When I use my words to share with women about our bodies, what trauma has done to our lives and allow ourselves to be vulnerable,

change happens.

Sharing our stories makes us feel less alone when we confront these violations. I can provide space for women to be open about their reproductive lives. Women often feel shame about their bodies and don’t know who to turn to. Some of these women turn to me because I have made myself available as a resourceful person. We can all do this for each other. Women who know about their reproductive health and resources can become hubs of information and empower other women.

With time, women we are in sisterhood with recognize they are deserving of competent care and education. In my experience, most have gone on to pass the knowledge to another woman. I am encouraged by all the women I’ve supported; they have shown me that my presence, willingness to listen and honor their humanity goes a long way. We all have the power to do this. As we become more informed and empowered, mobilizing into marches and protests at our local legislators and senator’s office becomes imperative.

To raise our voice, we must cultivate it first. It is my hope that bringing attention to human rights violations in the United States is part of that cultivation and awakening.

This article is part of a writing assignment for Voices of Our Future, a program of World Pulse that provides rigorous digital media and citizen journalism training for grassroots women leaders. World Pulse lifts and unites the voices of women from some of the most unheard regions of the world.

The Amazonian – Spring 2015 | 11

Summer & Fall 2014 Graduates

Master’s Degree

Deneisha Lindsay (Concordia) Shana Martin (Ionia) Jenizah Melendez (Abrianeme) Arlene Oviedo (Amazona)

Bachelor’s Degree Mandonna Amirehsani (Dhyani) Julitha Braggs (Sekhmet) Rosa Collins (Bodhati) Cansu Ertokus (Arikara) Tyra Ferguson (Haumea) Victoria Frink (Boetia) Allyson Lother (Sekhmet) Shantanique Moore King (Haumea) Margie Zapara (Jhansi)

It's that time, sisters!!

Save the Date!

We cordially invite you to MuCon 2015:

Sun, Sand & Sisterhood

Mandonna Amirehsani

in Tampa, Florida!

We will be hosting a full 3-day convention from June 12-14 with arrivals on June 11th.

Can't wait to see you there!