Life
Here's How To Fight For Women's Health This Month
As you probably know, ever since the presidential election, and even before, activist groups have been coming together to get their voices heard. As participants have proven again and again, from the Women's March to the March for Science, there is power in number . Even a seemingly simple event or political protest can have larger-than-life results.
Run 4 All Women is one such event, with runs taking place from August 11-13 in Louisiana, California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts. Amber Harper became an Ambassador for the cause and is hosting the Run 4 All Women in Louisiana on August 11 — which will span 140 miles from New Orleans's Jackson Square to the State Capital in Baton Rouge. "Similar to Alison Desir, the founder of Run 4 All Women, I felt like I didn't do enough during the election and wanted to do something to resist the status quo and take a stand for something I really believe in," she tells Bustle. "I attended a panel where the original Run 4 All Women crew shared their experience running more than 200 miles from Harlem to D.C., and I was struck by their determination, strength, and fearlessness. They sent out a call for Ambassadors, and I jumped at the chance to get involved. As a Louisiana transplant living in NYC, it's really important to me to bring this run back to my home state in an effort to move the conversation forward around women's reproductive rights."
If Harper's words don't encourage you to grab your running shoes and participate, I don't know what will. Below, you'll find more on the upcoming Run 4 All Women — which you can do virtually, too! — as well as the DL on two other upcoming activism events.
1Cuba Rally At JFK, August 4th, 7-10:00 p.m.
This rally at JFK, aka #FreedomtoTravel, takes place on August 4, so if you're in NYC, head on over to Terminal 4 Arrivals from 7 -10:00 p.m. "As the 48th contingent of the brigade completes the final leg of their return from Cuba, we will gather symbolically at JFK international terminal #4 to demonstrate our stand against the regression of Cuba/US policy and continued stand against the US-imposed economic blockade," states the event's Facebook page. You probably know that Obama had made travel to Cuba easier, but Trump wants that to change, with tighter restrictions. You can check out the event's Facebook page or send an email to vbrigade@gmail.com.
2Run 4 All Women, Various Cities & Times, August 11-13
Above, Harper mentioned Alison Mariella Désir, the role model who created the Run 4 All Women to take action against Trump. You may remember that she ran from her hometown of Harlem, NY to the Women's March on Washington. Just 240 miles. NBD, right? A small team of women joined her and they ran for Planned Parenthood, with all donations they received going to them. And how much did they raise?! More than $100k! Inspired, they decided to continue the runs — all over the country! So, this is just further proof that what may seem like a small movement has HUGE consequences. It goes without saying, then, that these upcoming Run 4 All Women events are just as crucial as ways to take action for women's health.
The five upcoming Run 4 All Women events are taking place as follows:
Run 4 All Women – Louisiana – August 11
Run 4 All Women –California – August 12
Run 4 All Women – Pennsylvania – August 12
Run 4 All Women – New Jersey – August 12
Run 4 All Women – Massachusetts – August 13
However, if you can't make it to a run in person, you can do so virtually! Run 4 All Women set up a virtual race through Racery, so any runner/jogger/walker can log their miles for a cause and/or donate to the cause. And, to stay on top of all their latest events, you can always check out the Run 4 All Women website.
"Fighting for women's rights is not unfamiliar or new, it's something that generations before ours have endured," Harper says. "And while there have been great strides made, the work is not finished. The proposed GOP health care bill is the worst attack on women's health care that we have seen in decades, which means supporting providers like Planned Parenthood is more important now than ever. I think finding simple ways to use things you love, such as running, as a way of activism is a powerful thing."
3Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March on Washington, August 19, 11:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
The Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March on Washington is a demonstration that will be taking place on August 19 in front of the White House at Lafayette Park. The march will be from 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m., with a rally immediately following, from 12-5:00 p.m. It's being hosted by the iamWE Prison Advocacy Network, "to bring worldwide attention to the human rights violations that occur daily within our criminal justice system, specifically addressing the 13th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which allows for legalized slavery for anyone convicted of a crime," iamWE Prison Advocacy's website states.
"This is the most historic event happening during our time," Krystal Rountree, Director and Lead organizer for the Millions for Prisoners Human Rights March, iamWE Prison Advocacy Network, tells Bustle. "Never has there been in our country history a call for national demonstrations to challenge legalized slavery. Why do we say legalized? The 13th amendment exception clause specifically states it is. Many Americans never knew this was an ongoing legal practice in America. August 19 is a day for mass education and demanding that America eliminate legalized slavery from the U.S. Constitution. It's important for people to be there because it lets our lawmakers know it is time to change the 13th amendment." I don't think anyone can disagree with that! You can check out iamWE Prison Advocacy Network's website for more information.
I don't know about you, but I feel all of the above are definitely worth marching and running for, and STAT. "Everyone has a network, a hobby, an outlet that they can use to fight for what they believe in," Harper says. "Everyone has the ability to become a change-maker! I think it is great how women and men are resisting and taking simple things like running and using them as venues for activism." So, get out your running shoes and get ready to make a difference.
