State of the Uterus 2018: Fundraising for the Future

STATE OF THE UTERUS* (*uterus not required) is our annual party for progress; together, we raise money for nonprofits invested in reproductive justice, menstrual health and community health, while dancing our butts off and learning about local politics.

For our 2nd-Annual State of the Uterus, we fundraised for Homeless Period Project ATX (now known as Flo Code), Survive2Thrive Foundation, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Counter Balance: ATX and ourselves (BossBabes ATX)! We raised $8600 (surpassing our fundraising goal *sounds foghorn*) for these five organizations, while partying our asses off.

here's a peek at everything that happened.

It took 100 collaborators to bring this baby together. Check out everyone who was involved and click the links to get in touch or learn more about the initiatives they spoke on:

6:00 PM to 7:15
A set by Dj Kay Cali

7:15 PM to 7:45 PM
Featured speeches, with talks from,
Emcees and #bbatx co-founding board members, Jane Hervey and Leslie Lozano, accompanied by performers p1nkstar and Yung Kwane
A community saging by Grow Your Lovespace
A performance by Courtney Santana, the founder of Survive2Thrive Foundation
A speech from Lamanda Ballard, the founder of Homeless Period Project ATX
A keynote address from Wendy Davis for Deeds Not Words

8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
A set by Chulita Vinyl Club

9:30 to 10:00 PM
Featured speeches, with talks from,
A performance of "Let's Ride" by the Texas Repro Rights Rally and Resistance Choir
Satirical poetry by Becca Hyatt
A speech from Maria Milner and Leandra Blei with Voces Tejas
A speech from reproductive rights activist Alexa Garcia-Ditta
A speech from Fatima Mann and Kristina Brown, co-founders of Counter Balance: ATX

10:00 PM to 11:00 PM
A set by GirlFriend ATX

11:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Emcees and #bbatx co-founding board members, Jane Hervey and Leslie Lozano, accompanied by performers P1nkstar and Yung Kwane
A performance by Qi Dada Ras

Throughout the event, participated in activities with the following community partners:
Pop-up shop and information booth on #bbatx
Zine-making with Book Woman
Readings from La Mystica Tarot
DIY Smudge Sticks with Art and Soul Design (this booth raised $150!)
Period-Kit Packing Party Station with Flo Code (365 kits were made!)
Braids, buns and haircuts by BEX Beauty with a portion of proceeds to Planned Parenthood (she raised $100!)
Art + Activism Wheat Pastes with HIVE Arts Collective
Photo booth and fundraiser for Homeless Period Project ATX with Keep Austin Queer (this booth raised $120!)
Information table with Mama San Vibrant Woman
Nonpartisan Volunteer-led Voter Registration Tables
Herbal readings with White Deer Apothecary
Weaving Workshop Table with Drea Peters
DTFeminist Photo booth with #bbatx collaborators OKCupid

We also featured the following shops in our Resistance Market:
The F Word Gift Shop
The Wednesdays Art
Peach Fuzz magazine
Eythink
Yocelyn Riojas
Finery Elaborate Adornments
Zanny Adornments
Viv Wellness
Nspire Change

WHY DID WE THROW THIS PARTY?

We believe coalition-building creates strong communities. We provide information on issues that effect women’s civil rights, sexism, racism, gender inequity and other issues addressed within intersectional feminism, in the hopes that all may form their own opinions and actively engage with causes that matter to their communities. At State of the Uterus*, we stand to dismantle the stigma that prevents all genders and sexes from receiving appropriate reproductive care and health services. We stand to acknowledge and fight against the intersectional issues that affect the health of women-identifying people, like access to resources that cover basic needs, systemic racism, transphobia, abuse and violence, sexual miseducation and more. We stand to create spaces that prioritize individual agency and the communication of truthful, responsible information. We stand to decriminalize abortion. We stand for ourselves. Download custom flyers created by Jasmine Brooks for #SOTU2018.

*Uterus not required

We've got people to thank.

We've got a lot of thank-yous in order.

First, big shouts to Cheer Up Charlie's for hosting us. Please continue to support this space and spend your money at this queer-owned, woman-owned venue!

Second, huge ups to all of our staff and volunteers. We had 16 #bossbabesATX team members and volunteers working on this event! We appreciate their donated time and could not have pulled off the event without them.

Third, thank you to our DJs, speakers and performers for making the event so memorable. The dance floor was next-level. Here's some proof:

Fourth, major ups to Diana Ascarrunz Photography for the incredible event photos. Check 'em out! We've also got some awesome photos from the DTFeminist photo booth with OKCupid, thanks to Simplebooth.

Last but certainly not least, we'd like to thank each and everyone person who attended this event, donated and helped us create a party to remember. These organizations need our help year-round, and we hope to see you soon. (Come out to our 2nd-Annual Community Caucus on Feb. 15, an annual storytelling event featuring nonprofit organizers and thought leaders in the Austin community!)

MEET THE PRODUCERS, PARTNERS AND VENUE.

About #bossbabesATX, the producer: Through our programming, we hope to foster community, conversation and commerce around women in creative industry and the arts and women-owned businesses. Our productions center on personal and professional development, activism, the arts, entrepreneurialism, and community infrastructure. We believe intersectionality, informed decision-making, sharing professional resources and actively advocating for women's rights and the rights of marginalized peoples are inherently valuable and beneficial. Learn more about our programming and mission at bossbabes.org/why. *Our events prioritize the voices of self-identifying women and non-binary folks. We are not gender-discriminant; all are welcome to attend.

This production has been made possible in part by the LINE ATX and Resplendent Hospitality.

About Cheer Up Charlies, the venue: CUC is an ambiguous space-for-everybody bar. They're known for LGBTQIA & friends hangout/music/art/dance parties.