Spring Break
Women assume power at LadyFest Baltimore
Issue date: 4/17/08
Not only did participants feel an overwhelming sense of community over the three-day LadyFest, but even those who led workshops were inspired by the efforts and attitudes of the attendees and organizers.
China Martens, a single radical mother, led a workshop on radical parenting called, "Don't Leave Your Friends Behind: Supporting Anarcha-Feminism & Supporting Mothers and Children." After her first book, The Future Generation: A Zine-Book for Subculture Parents, Kids, Friends & Others, was published by Atomic Book Company, Martens went on a book tour.
When she read about the plans for a LadyFest in the City Paper, she knew it would be a place to spread her message of education and tolerance for children in the generally child-free anarchist community.
"I think it's great to be a part of this. We need to build positive things ... there is an upsurge of issues and activism and I want to participate in that and with people who are open to these issue ... It's been really productive and people have walked away learning things they had never even thought about before," Martens said.
Baltimore, according to both Martens and Dumas, has played an integral role in making this LadyFest as successful as possible.
"The city has a lot of wonderful qualities and also struggles; you can be beaten down, it's really a hard place to live," Martens said.
"But things are changing and there has been a lot of gentrification, which I never thought could ever come to this place. There is the community growing around Red Emma's bookstore and a great art scene and probably tons of activists groups that I don't even know about ... it leaves you a little inspired."
Dumas agrees with the positive growth in Baltimore. "There are a lot of really interesting things going on in Baltimore ... Baltimore is very unique."
Jessie Hughes, an attendee and native Baltimorean, also acknowledged the changes in the city.
"I've really seen Baltimore grow over the years, especially as a musician in the music scene here, I've seen it blossom. Sometimes when you are in a smaller city, there is a pulling together and the need for it is moreapparent," she said.
China Martens, a single radical mother, led a workshop on radical parenting called, "Don't Leave Your Friends Behind: Supporting Anarcha-Feminism & Supporting Mothers and Children." After her first book, The Future Generation: A Zine-Book for Subculture Parents, Kids, Friends & Others, was published by Atomic Book Company, Martens went on a book tour.
When she read about the plans for a LadyFest in the City Paper, she knew it would be a place to spread her message of education and tolerance for children in the generally child-free anarchist community.
"I think it's great to be a part of this. We need to build positive things ... there is an upsurge of issues and activism and I want to participate in that and with people who are open to these issue ... It's been really productive and people have walked away learning things they had never even thought about before," Martens said.
Baltimore, according to both Martens and Dumas, has played an integral role in making this LadyFest as successful as possible.
"The city has a lot of wonderful qualities and also struggles; you can be beaten down, it's really a hard place to live," Martens said.
"But things are changing and there has been a lot of gentrification, which I never thought could ever come to this place. There is the community growing around Red Emma's bookstore and a great art scene and probably tons of activists groups that I don't even know about ... it leaves you a little inspired."
Dumas agrees with the positive growth in Baltimore. "There are a lot of really interesting things going on in Baltimore ... Baltimore is very unique."
Jessie Hughes, an attendee and native Baltimorean, also acknowledged the changes in the city.
"I've really seen Baltimore grow over the years, especially as a musician in the music scene here, I've seen it blossom. Sometimes when you are in a smaller city, there is a pulling together and the need for it is moreapparent," she said.
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