Civil rights activist Lupe Anguiano and high school senior Hannah Yale will dialog. Photo by Marie The Photographer
The first Ventura County Women’s Day Festival will be held on International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8 at the Museum of Ventura County from 1-4 pm. The free event is being organized by The Acorn Project and will feature hands-on community art, live music, dance, a film screening of the documentary Legalize Equality, census information, voter registration, pop up Pilates, food trucks and drinks to purchase. Information at Ventura County Women’s Day Festival.
The highlight feature will be a moderated intergenerational dialog between 90-year-old veteran civil rights activist Lupe Anguiano and 17-year-old high school senior activist and emerging leader Hannah Yale. Power sessions on topics including ‘How to Run for Office,’ ‘Speaking Up for Change,’ ‘Breaking Barriers,’ and ‘Self Care’ will also be offered.
“The goal of the event is to celebrate women’s social, political and economic contributions to our county and beyond while also encouraging deeper civic and political engagement so that women’s voices, votes, and contributions increasingly shape the future we envision,” said Junemarie Justus, Founder of the Acorn Project. “Nationally and locally we have seen record numbers of women running for office and a groundswell of young activists emerging. We hope this festival will support and inspire more women to participate in the political process.”
International Women’s Day, established in 1911, is a global day of celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year coincides with the centennial of the passage of the 19th amendment. The day marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
The Acorn Project is spearheading this local VC event in managing partnership with Alyson Warner and fiscally sponsored by 501(c)(3) non-profit, Arts Ventura. Major sponsors include the Museum of Ventura County, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Body Smart Medical Massage Solutions , CAPS Media, Downtown Ventura Partners (DVP), Girl Scouts California Central Coast (GSCCC), Renee Gomez, League of Women Voters of Ventura County (LWVVC), Ojai Chapter for the National Organization of Women (NOW), Ventura County Alumnae Chapter (VCAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Ventura County Women’s Political Council (VCWPC), Ventura Rental, and Women’s Economic Ventures (WEV).
Founded in 2018, The Acorn Project seeks to breakdown silos, foster creative collaboration, and strategic partnerships to promote positive social change. Their current initiative, “The Reel Advocacy Series,” supports community documentary film screenings to inform, engage, and inspire political and social action. www.theacornproject.com
