Paradigm Shift: New York City’s Feminist Community

Use the “F” word.
Discuss. Evolve. Grow with Us.
Change NYC. Change the World.

Mission Statement:

To foster a thriving, active, diverse, and expanding feminist community with the purpose of self-expression and coalition building, creating a shift in social, political, and economic consciousness.

About:

Paradigm Shift is New York City’s largest feminist community group and event series. TimeOut New York named Paradigm Shift “Critic’s Pick” and “Best-By-Day” on several occasions.

Paradigm Shift hosts monthly events: lectures/discussion groups featuring feminist thought leaders, filmmakers, and activists; workshops; screenings; as well as open mics and performances featuring
local and internationally renown talent. In June 2009, Paradigm Shift further expanded the feminist perspective by launching Paradigm Shift TV, the pioneering online feminist video channel, and a blog featuring editorials, personal essays, reviews, exclusive interviews and poetry. Paradigm Shift supports the community by providing a platform for political/personal/creative expression, marketing, project support, networking, and monetary donations to feminist non-profits.

Paradigm Shift is a 501(c)4 non-profit organization, has a membership of over 1,700 and has partnerships with over 80 progressive organizations and media outlets.

Paradigm Shift was founded in March 2007 by Meredith Villano, Activist & Interactive Media Executive & Lisa A. Snyder, Artist, Web Designer & Founder of Elle*Eye Design. Paradigm Shift has a dedicated and passionate volunteer staff.

Everyone’s connection to feminism is a very personal one. We’ll tell you our stories, and we want to hear yours.

Meredith Villano, Co-Founder and Director
meredith@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Meredith Villano is Co-Founder and Director of Paradigm Shift: NYC’s Feminist Community and has been a passionate feminist activist and organizer for over 15 years. Currently, she promulgates the feminist
perspective through media and events.

She has her own production company, Equal Shot Productions, and has worked for several production/media companies including Michael Moore’s production company, New York Times Television, and ABC. Meredith served as Director of Business Development at Magnet Media Inc. for over four years, establishing and developing new revenue streams, business and strategic relationships with clients such as Sundance Film Festival, National Association of Broadcasters, Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, HP, and Goodby Silverstein & Partners. She also worked in theater as a director, playwright, actor, and stage manager. Meredith was President of the Rutgers University Chapter of National Organization for Women, coordinated a NJ state-wide conference for International Women’s Day, wrote and edited a feminist column as Women’s Issues Editor for a Rutgers University/ Douglass College newspaper, and defended an abortion clinic for several years. Meredith was selected from thousands as one of Douglass College’s “Women of Strength” for her activist work, academics and leadership. She earned a BA, graduating with high honors, in Communication from Douglass College, Rutgers University minoring in Women’s Studies and Cinema Studies.

In 1997 Meredith was honored with a Congressional Award for Community Service for her leadership and dedication to the empowerment of women and girls. In June 2009, Meetup.com invited her to speak on the success and mission of Paradigm Shift at the Personal Democracy Conference, the world’s largest conference on the intersection of technology and politics in New York City. Most recently, The National Association of Professional Women, an organization with over 200,000 members, honored her as “VIP Woman of The Year” in the non-profit category.

Lastly, Meredith is a woman who loves and truly appreciates tangential stories, loud laughter, PBS, the sound of crickets, and a great eggplant parm.

Lisa A. Snyder, Co-Founder

Lisa A. Snyder is co-founder of Paradigm Shift: NYC’s Feminist Community and was part of the volunteer staff as Art Director of Paradigm Shift from March 2007 - April 2009. She has been passionate about computers, art, and music her entire life. She is the daughter of CBS Television’s 1988 Emmy Award winner Michael J. Snyder, who was accredited as engineering such shows as the Evening News with Dan Rather & Connie Chung, US Open, and NFL Today, among others. In 1992, her father introduced her to the web on the computer they shared and four years later began building websites. She is a Cum Laude graduate of Syracuse University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Computer Graphics. She is now one of the top web designers in the New York City and Philadelphia. With over 13 years of experience, she has headed the re-design, coordination and maintenance process of over 75 websites and 250 e-mail marketing campaigns (including Constant Contact, Intellicontact and Mail Chimp). With her creative designs and marketing guidance, she has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars in new business opportunities in addition to greater online exposure for her clients.

Julia K. Weis, Community Outreach Coordinator
jweis@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Julia Weis is the Community Outreach Coordinator for Paradigm Shift: NYC’s Feminist Community and has been passionate about feminism ever since her fifth grade boyfriend dumped her the week before the school dance. During her college years at New York University, studying English literature, Creative Writing and Gender & Sexuality, she served as the Editorial Assistant at Magnet Media, where she met Meredith (co-founder of Paradigm Shift) and eventually joined the PShift team.

For a time Julia worked as a Features Reporter for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, covering topics as diverse as the 2008 election, community supported agriculture, development work in Kenya, prominent Brooklyn-based photographers and authors, as well as issues affecting the religious community. She currently earns her keep as a travel journalist and admits that life ain’t that bad.

Stephanie Allred, Membership Coordinator
sallred@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Stephanie is Membership Coordinator for Paradigm Shift: NYC’s Feminist Community, reaching out to spread awareness of PShift to as many people as possible. Stephanie graduated from the (all-women) College of Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore in 2006 with a double major in English and Spanish, and spent a gap year traveling in Europe, Asia, and the subcontinent before earning a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 2008, with an emphasis on postcolonialism and globalization. She is an avid Couch surfer, loves to cook, dance, and subvert gender norms. She now works in non-profit development.

Shae Smith, Web & Print Designer
ssmith@ParadigmShiftNYC.com

Shae has helped to launch Paradigm Shift TV and manages Paradigm Shift’s Blog. She graduated from Smith College in 2008 with a B.A. in computer science. Out of college, she worked for Conde Nast Publications on their Online Marketing team as a Technology Analyst. She now works for Kaplan Test Prep & Admissions on their Data Analytics team. Shae was raised in Brooklyn. She lives in Bed Stuy and on her free time she works on building her web design portfolio.

Erin Byrnes- Community Expansion Coordinator
ebyrnes@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Erin is the Community Expansion Coordinator for Paradigm Shift, reaching out to people of all ages and backgrounds to ignite a passion for Feminism!
In 2007, Erin graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s and Gender Studies.  Her time spent mentoring young women in Detroit and working with women in prison inspired her to become a New York City Teaching Fellow, and in 2008, she moved to Brooklyn to pursue a Master’s degree and a career as a special education teacher.
French fries, all things vintage, discussions about gender politics, reading, writing and traveling are among Erin’s top interests.  She is thrilled to be a part of Paradigm Shift, and looks forward to increasing the visibility of NYC Feminists!

Morgan Otto-Berglund- Summer Intern 2009

Morgan Otto-Berglund is a student at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.  Morgan’s major at Smith is the Study of Women and Gender with an emphasis in Queer Studies.  She has also studied women’s involvement in history, literature, and current social issues, as well as having an academic interest in studies of peace and conflict.  She will be completing her B.A. in May of 2010.  Morgan began her women’s studies career at Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri, but her passion for feminism and equality is deeply rooted in her relationship with her mother, who instilled in Morgan feminist values and concepts at an early age.  Her feminist consciousness also developed, in part, as a reaction to her upbringing in conservative, rural Nebraska, where she spent the first 18 years of her life.

Shetal Shah- Digital Media Supervisor

sshah@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Shetal spent many years behind the camera as a filmmaker before becoming a performer. A Maggie Flanigan Studios graduate, Shetal Shah is an actor, performance poet, filmmaker, educator and human rights activist. Shetal is the 2005 South Asian Media Awards Best Actress recipient for her role in Arya and is the host and co-producer of the hip TV show, INScene. Shetal’s favorite theatre credits: Raeda Wazzan, Truth Be Told (Ensemble Studio Theatre), Priya, Caitlin and the Swan (The Management), Barsha (credited as originating the role), Barsha Badal (Spork Festival), Angelo, The Comedy of Errors (Capital Classics Theatre) Favorite Film credits: Loins of Punjab Presents, Arya and Butterfly Screams (Lincoln Center).Favorite TV credits: The Daily Show and VH1 Denmark. Shetal is a native New Yorker and first generation Indian. She performs her poetry throughout New York City, most recently at Lincoln Center and the Bowery Poetry Club.

Rebecca Marcus- Digital Media Assistant
rmarcus@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Becca is the Digital Media Assistant for Paradigm Shift TV. In 2008, she graduated from Vassar College with a major in Media Studies and a correlate in Women’s Studies. Becca did her senior thesis on “Gender in the Media” where she remixed the 1992 film Pretty Woman into a horror film trailer. She spent a year teaching classes at an Apple store and is now a freelance video editor. Becca also volunteers for the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, a non profit that provides professional development for women. She is passionate about media literacy, female empowerment, and building forts.

Morgan Boecher- Blog Supervisor & Editor
mboecher@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Morgan helps with editing and maintaining Paradigm Shift’s blog. His first experience as a blog writer was in high school, journaling about his year as a Rotary exchange student to Tokyo, Japan. Morgan is a 4th year student at New College of Florida in Sarasota, working diligently on a thesis about the Japanese tea ceremony and feminist space in order to graduate and move on to new and exciting frontiers. His Area of Concentration (NCF speak for “major”) is in anthropology/gender studies, and he is passionately involved with the New College Feminist Alliance and Queery, the LGBT group on campus. Biking, illustrating, and exploring big cities are other interests.

Sarah Carter- Business Consultant (currently on hiatus)
scarter@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Liza Lopez- Event Coordinator
llopez@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Laura Joy- Researcher
ljoy@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Winnie Yung- Volunteer/ Feminist Under 18
wyung@paradigmshiftnyc.com

pic and bio coming soon

EVENT LIST

• 12/1/09- Sex. Consent. Power. Pleasure. “The Line” Documentary Screening & Panel discussion. TimeOutNY Critics’ Pick. Featuring: Nancy Schwartzman, Filmmaker, Erin Burrows, Students Active For Ending Rape, Joseph Samalin, Men Can Stop Rape, Campus Strength Coordinator, Ignacio Rivera, Sex educator, Organizer & Performance Artist. Over 85 attended.

• 11/19/09- Progressive Single Mingle: A Cocktail Party for the Left-Leaning. TimeOutNY Critics’ Pick. Raffle Sponsors include: Rubin Museum, Jivamukti Yoga school, Brooklyn Museum, Bluestockings, Tastee Vegan. Supported by the Planned Parenthood of New York City Activist Council, NARAL Pro-Choice NY, NOW NYS Young Feminist Task Force, The Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership.  Over 30 attended.

• 11/2/09- NARAL’s Pro-Choice Election Phone Banks- Co-sponsored by Paradigm Shift

• 10/29/09- “Amelia” Film Screening & Discussion

• 10/11/09- National Equality March for LGBTQ rights in Washington, DC.  Paradigm Shift was a part of the NYC National Equality March Mobilization Coalition.

• 9/23/09- “Fight for Your Reproductive Rights: How You Can Help Pass the Reproductive Health Act” co-sponsored by NYCLU, featuring Corinne Carey, Interim director, Reproductive Rights Project, New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), Rev. Matthew Westfox, National Coordinator for Field Services at Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice & Associate, Pastor at All Souls Bethlehem Church, Dr. Carol Roye, EdD, RN, CPNP, researcher in reproductive health, Jenn Proulx, Filmmaker of “Another New Yorker for the Reproductive Health Act”.  25 attended.

• 8/19/09- “Feminist Men: Increasing Visibility”. TimeOutNY’s Critics’ Pick. Featuring Dr. Michael Kimmel, one of the leading researchers and writers on men and masculinity, Vinnie Angel, purveyor of social justice consumer products, Robert Brannon, Co- Founder NOMAS, Jerin Alam, NOW NYS YFTF, Ben Siegel, former VP Hunter Women’s Rights Coalition.  Over 80 attended.

• 7/22/09- “The Sari Soldiers” documentary screening & discussion with Julie Bridgham, Filmmaker.  Portion of proceeds to Sari Soldiers Outreach Fund

• 6/17/09- Paradigm Shift TV & Blog Launch & LGBTQ Pride Party featuring Rickie Gal, Jennifer Friedman, Inky Glass, and Phoenix

• 4/1/09- Women & Religious Equality with Leora Tanenbaum, Author “Taking Back God: American Women Rising Up for Religious Equality”- lecture and discussion. Portion of proceeds to Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual.  22 attended.

• 3/7/09- MichFest Half-way Soiree, a benefit for Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival featuring local and internationally renown talent such as singer/songwriter Pamela Means, Amber Darland, and Juliana Marx.

• 1/21/09- Roe vs. Wade Anniversary documentary screening of “I Had An Abortion” and discussion with Jennifer Baumgardner, Activist, Author, Filmmaker, Gillian Aldrich, Filmmaker, and women featured in the film. Portion of proceeds to NY Abortion Access Fund.  74 attended.

• 1/14/09- Are You Financially Secure: Women & Finances Workshop by Tanya Osborne, Independent Financial Services Professional at Primerica Financial Services

• 11/19/08- Feminism & Motherhood with Amy Richards, Activist & Author “Opting In: Having a Child Without Losing Yourself”, lecture and discussion. Portion of proceeds to New Space for Women’s Health.  Over 25 attended

• 9/23/08- Open Mic & Special Guest Pauline Delage, French Feminist Scholar

• 8/1/08- “Feminazi” Off-Broadway One Women Comedy by Suzanne Willett & Panel discussion featuring S. Willett, Alexandra Zimmermann and Nichole Casamento of Younger Women’s Task Force- NYC Chapter, & PShift Co-Founder, Meredith Villano

• 5/29/08- The Real Sex In the City: Sexuality Workshop by Ducky Doolittle, Author & Sexual Health Advocate

• 5/8/08- Ecofeminism with Marti Kheel Ph.D.., Author “Nature Ethics: An Ecofeminist Perspective” & Scholar- lecture and discussion

• 3/28/08- From Violence to Empowerment featuring NYC’s Radical Cheerleaders

• 3/1/08- MichFest Half-way Soiree, a benefit for Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival.  TimeOutNY’s Critics’ Pick. Featuring local and internationally renown talent such as singer/songwriter Nedra Johnson, poet Staceyann Chin, Filthy, and Laura Joy. 110 attended.

• 1/25/08- Feminist Entrepreneurship: No Glass Ceiling to Smash featuring Annmarie Agosta, MSW specializing in Holistic Psychotherapy and LGBT issues.

• 12/7/07- Abortion Speak Out and Open Mic

• 6/07- Bushwick Artist Open Studios- Open Mic

• 3/07- Paradigm Shift LAUNCH EVENT- Body Image/ Self-Love- Open Mic

ParadigmShiftNYC.com content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.  Work can be copied or distributed with author’s credit and a link to the post.  The opinions expressed by Paradigm Shift bloggers do not reflect the opinions of Paradigm Shift: NYC’s Feminist Community as a whole or as an organization, however some of us may passionately agree.