Are you writing important pieces and being frustrated at not being able to get them published? Do you have a wonderful idea for a nonfiction book, but don’t know how to write a winning proposal?
Are you feeling that you just can’t get ahead - can’t fulfill your dreams? Are you taking your place as a published author?

For the past 4 years the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership has been training women to write winning book proposals, feature articles and op-eds! We are inviting you to learn how our alumnae have broken through and are getting their voices out into the public!

“I had found my voice and belief in myself again. The supportive environment from Woodhull has literally changed my life.” -M. Wheeler, MA

“At Woodhull, I was given the confidence to reach for the moon! I was exposed to and taught by those who are living their dreams, making an impact on society through the expression of their truest voices; people on a mission, working cooperatively with the common goal of empowering ALL.” - Michelle Riu

Participants from past Non-Fiction Writers’ Retreats have become accomplished writers that truly know how to write an op-ed, a feature, a book proposal and how to pitch ideas. Hone your skills to become an effective and successful writer!

Click here for more information

Sometimes we feel disconnected from the experience of pleasure. Sometimes life gets in the way of us experiencing the deepest forms of pleasure. What is holding you back from experiencing pleasure and desire in your daily life? How can you rekindle flames of desire that might be smothered right now? What are the things that make you feel most alive? How can you work to bring those aspects of your life into greater alignment with how you live on a day-to-day basis? Water, and therefore, flow, lives in the second chakra, the home of our sexuality, our sensual selves, our desire. When we get stuck in our attachments, we dam the flow of pleasure in our lives. In this workshop we will use movement, meditation, reflection and group exercises to “unstuck” ourselves, create clarity about how to churn the butters of deliciousness in our lives, and open the second chakra to embrace pleasure and desire in a new way.

Amy Jo Goddard is a professional sexuality educator, artist, writer, activist, and sex and relationship coach. Her background includes a Master’s degree in Human Sexuality Education, training as a sex coach, 15 years of experience teaching sexuality to adults, youth and children, and her own deep work as a sexual being.

For more information about Amy Jo, check out http://www.amyjogoddard.com.

Call for guest blog, video, and graphic art submissions in preparation for Paradigm Shift’s next event:

“SEX WORK AND HUMAN RIGHTS: FEMINIST ADVOCACY STRATEGIES”

Panel Discussion & Screening Featuring:
SIENNA BASKIN, Esq., Staff Attorney, Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center
CHRISTINA CICCHELLI, Columnist, $pread magazine
MARYSE MITCHELL-BRODY, NYC Anti-Violence Project & Founding Member at Sex Workers Action New York
AUDACIA RAY, International Women’s Health Coalition & co-founder of Sex Work Awareness
WILL ROCKWELL, Editor, $pread magazine

Screening of “Sangram: Sex Worker Organizing In India” a collaboration between the International Women’s Health Coalition and SANGRAM
When: TUES, March 30th
Time: 7:00-10:00 pm
Buy tickets here!

Submission Deadline- March 28
Use these prompts as guidelines for submissions; essays, poetry, and artwork in all forms accepted:

- Discuss the empowering and/or disempowering aspects of sex work
- Positive or negative experiences as a sex worker or with sex workers
- The media’s image of sex workers
- The issue of choice and agency when performing sex work
- Human Rights issues of sex work and sex trafficking in poorer countries
- The pornography industry and its impact on women
- Feminist porn
- Response to books/media by sex workers
- Sex work and health
- Sex work & the law

Submit responses to blog@paradigmshiftnyc.com Please include how you would like to be credited (name, anonymous etc). Video submissions- please submit YouTube private link. Email subject line: Your Name- Blog post- 3/30 Event.

ParadigmShiftNYC.com content is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Please join Manhattan Young Democrats at our first annual event to honor women thought-leaders, activists, and philanthropists.

Honorees include Planned Parenthood’s Political Action Group, Service Women’s Action Network, and The White house Project with several special guest honorees to be announced shortly.

Wednesday, March 24th from 7 -10pm Nikki Beach Midtown - 151 East 50th Street

Please RSVP by ordering your tickets below.

Tickets prices: - $5 for MYD members - $15 for non-members - $20 yearly MYD membership and free admission at the door. *A yearly membership comes with discounts to upcoming events! Check out www.gomyd.com for more information on who we are and what we do!

Questions? Please email Elizabeth at events@gomyd.com.

BUY TICKETS- put Paradigm Shift in the “special requirements” space

Co-Sponsored by Paradigm Shift

Come think and discuss at Paradigm Shift’s event on March 30th:

SEX WORK & HUMAN RIGHTS: FEMINIST ADVOCACY STRATEGIES
Panel Discussion & Screening featuring:

SIENNA BASKIN, Esq.
Staff Attorney, Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center
CHRISTINA CICCHELLI
Columnist, $pread magazine
MARYSE MITCHELL-BRODY
NYC Anti-Violence Project & Founding Member at Sex Workers Action New York
AUDACIA RAY
International Women’s Health Coalition & co-founder of Sex Work Awareness
WILL ROCKWELL
Editor, $pread magazine
Screening of “Sangram: Sex Worker Organizing In India” a collaboration between the International Women’s Health Coalition and SANGRAM

moderated by Melissa Gira Grant, External Relations Officer, Third Wave Foundation & freelance writer

Portion of the proceeds donated to Sex Workers’ Project

Buy Tickets Now- Limited Seating- This will sell-out- CLICK HERE
Network with your community before & after discussion

When: TUES, March 30th
Time: 7:00-10:00 pm
Where: In the heart of the Feminist District
The Tank- 354 West 45th Street (between 8th and 9th Ave.)
Subway directions: Take the A,C,E to 42nd Street/Time Square. Walk West

Cost: $7 students/pre-paid, $10 at door
But Tickets Now- CLICK HERE- Limited Seating
OR Call The Tank directly for tx 212.563.6269

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On April 9-11, 2010, campus and community activists will gather at Hampshire College to unite for reproductive justice. We offer more than 40 workshops and trainings. Conference speakers address reproductive freedom as it relates to a broad range of social justice initiatives including economic justice, health care reform, racial equality, freedom from violence, immigrant rights, climate justice, and LGBTQ rights, just to name a few.

Over the weekend, you will deepen your understanding of issues you already know about, make new connections, and unite with others who are passionate about working for social justice.

Co-sponsored by Paradigm Shift! Check out more info here.

PARADIGM SHIFT: NYC’S FEMINIST COMMUNITY Proudly Presents

SEX WORK & HUMAN RIGHTS: FEMINIST ADVOCACY STRATEGIES
Panel Discussion & Screening Featuring:
SIENNA BASKIN, Esq.
Staff Attorney, Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center
CHRISTINA CICCHELLI
Columnist, $pread magazine
MARYSE MITCHELL-BRODY
NYC Anti-Violence Project & Founding Member at Sex Workers Action New York
AUDACIA RAY
International Women’s Health Coalition & co-founder of Sex Work Awareness
WILL ROCKWELL
Editor, $pread magazine
Screening of “Sangram: Sex Worker Organizing In India” a collaboration between the International Women’s Health Coalition and SANGRAM

moderated by Melissa Gira Grant, External Relations Officer, Third Wave Foundation & freelance writer

Portion of the proceeds donated to Sex Workers’ Project
Buy Tickets Now- Limited Seating- This will sell-out- CLICK HERE
Network with your community before & after discussion

When: TUES, March 30th
Time: 7:00-10:00 pm
Where: In the heart of the Feminist District
The Tank- 354 West 45th Street (between 8th and 9th Ave.)
Subway directions: Take the A,C,E to 42nd Street/Time Square. Walk West

Cost: $7 students/pre-paid, $10 at door
But Tickets Now- CLICK HERE- Limited Seating
OR Call The Tank directly for tx 212.563.6269

PARTNERS INCLUDE:
The Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership
Sex Workers’ Project
Manhattan Young Democrats
The Women’s Mosaic

PARTICIPATE & PARTNER!
Calling all progressives! Promote this event and we’ll promote your organization as a marketing partner.
Email: JWeis@paradigmshiftnyc.com

Facebook Invite

ABOUT

SIENNA BASKIN & SEX WORKERS’ PROJECT: http://www.sexworkersproject.org
CHRISTINA CICCHELLI, WILL ROCKWELL & $PREAD MAGAZINE: http://www.spreadmagazine.org
MARYSE MITCHELL-BRODY & NYC AVP & Sex Workers Action NY: http://www.avp.org, http://swop-nyc.org
AUDACIA RAY, IWHC & SWA: http://www.audaciaray.com, http://www.iwhc.org
MELISSA GIRA GRANT: http://www.melissagira.com

Email submissions to: blog@paradigmshiftnyc.com

by Jennifer Potter

I have never been diagnosed with anorexia or hospitalized for bulimia. Whenever eating disorders are discussed these extreme illnesses are at the forefront. I do, however, struggle every day due to my horrible relationship with food and my body. The Mayo Clinic defines eating disorders as, “a group of serious conditions in which you’re so preoccupied with food and weight that you can often focus on little else.” Extreme cases of eating disorders manifest as the diagnosable mental illnesses anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. This is not to say that if you do not have one of those illnesses you do not have some kind of preoccupation with food and weight. While there is no medical term for people who do not have a healthy relationship with food, these people are affected by the same biological, emotional, and societal issues that can lead to anorexia or bulimia.

There are many people living in the grey area between a healthy relationship with their bodies and the food they eat, and those struggling with disorders.  For me it’s an endless cycle of eating and beating myself up.  Each day I say today I will be “good”.  I usually start out strong with yogurt and oatmeal.  As the day progresses the temptation gets harder to deal with.  There always seems to be “bad” food everywhere.  Whether in the form of cookies someone brought to work to share or going for a quick drink with friends which results in chicken wings and nachos on the table.  Just one can’t hurt right? Don’t starve yourself or deny yourself of food.  That’s no way to live and not a healthy diet.  So I eat.  On the subway ride home my mind starts going.  Why did I eat all those wings? Why couldn’t I resist half that chocolate bar? I’m never going to reach my fitness goals and never going to have the body I want.  I then resolve to try again tomorrow.  Each time I look at myself in the mirror I feel disgusted by my inability to only eat “good” foods.  On days I manage to do that, I feel like I shouldn’t have eaten so much of it.

One fundamental problem with the concept of “good” versus “bad” food is that it sets me up for a mental beating later.  I’ve already labeled what I’m eating as “bad” and therefore should be punished for not being strong enough to resist eating it. This seems to be a commonly overheard conversation: “Should I be “good” and get salad or “bad” and get that cheese burger I really want?”  So how can this mentality be combated? The first step is to stop labeling everything I eat as “good” or “bad”.  Yes, there are horribly unhealthy foods out there, such as deep-fried pizza, but a healthy diet includes having a bit of chocolate in my daily routine without beating myself up for it later. In this sense knowledge is power.  The more you know about food and what daily requirements your body needs ,the easier it is to be “good” all day even while incorporating supposedly “bad” food.

The problem is that this knowledge is not easily derived for every individual. Everyone’s bodies are unique and the healthy caloric intake of food varies based on age, gender, height, weight, daily physical activity. Even internet research can only go so far. With personal nutritionists beyond of the economic reach of so many, myself included, we are left with few options but our own research and hope we’re doing it right.  This leaves too much room for error for many. Also the results of improved diet and exercise can take months to make a noticeable difference.  This is not very conducive to a culture of instant gratification and “Lose 5 pounds in 5 days” weight loss products.  The simplest solution becomes “I just won’t eat.!” More accessibility to complete and accurate nutritional information will help people in the grey gain a better understanding of foods and develop a healthy relationship with what they eat.

Besides my unhealthy relationship with food, I find that I exhibit the same kind of mental anguish over my body’s appearance. Every time I look in the mirror, change my clothes or take a shower I feel more and more frustrated by what I see.  In the last six months I have made improvements.  I’ve gone to the gym two to three times a week and am starting to see muscles develop.  This is not enough to quiet the voice in my head.  No matter how much weight I lose or how toned my arms look I’m never satisfied.  If one aspect of my appearance is acceptable I immediately find something wrong with another body part. At the gym I can never do enough.  Similar to my behavior with food, no matter how hard I workout I still punish myself afterward for not doing more. So why do I feel this way?  I am aware that there are improvements and if nothing else I am healthier for working up a sweat and getting blood flowing a few times a week.  Why am I not satisfied with the effort I put in and the results I have seen?

A large part of my body hate comes from constant bombardment of media and social ideals of unrealistic body expectations.  The media’s influence is considered so substantial that libraries of books, articles, and documentaries have been created to explain exactly how and why it’s damaging.  Most recently in the UK The Royal College of Psychiatrists’ (RCPsychs’) Eating Disorders Section called for the media to portray images of more diverse body shapes to help people feel positive about their bodies. Not having to stare at so called “perfect” bodies at every turn would be helpful, however the issue is not strictly external.  There is an internal struggle with perfection that would be there with or without the external images.  Low self-esteem, perfectionism, and impulsive behaviors are all linked to eating disorders. While media standards can be misleading and dangerous, our own personal standards can be damaging as well.

There is nothing inherently wrong with having lofty expectations for yourself.  The desire to do better and be better is important for people to push themselves and not be content with whatever their current situation is. It is far too easy for this perfectionist drive to become self-destructive. Physical appearance is an easy marker for perfection and ability to exhibit control.  By being “thin” I am seen to demonstrate self-control by going to the gym and by not overindulging in food. There is a negative connotation associated with people who are not super thin and their perceived lack of control.  The only reason they aren’t perfect, according to this outlook, is because they are too lazy. This is a very harmful attitude. In order to demonstrate we are not lazy we must be perfect in every aspect. Since such perfection is not attainable we are never comfortable in our own skin. For every goal I meet, a new one takes its place. The biggest obstacle in creating a positive relationship with my body and the food I eat is my mindset.  I must learn to forgive myself and be comfortable with my flaws.

Despite my acknowledgment that I do in fact have a very unhealthy attitude towards food and my body, I continue to struggle every day.  It is important to remember that eating disorders can affect everyone regardless of age, gender, or size, and the struggles come in all different sorts.  I will continue to look for ways to overcome my destructive behavior and hope to one day really and truly feel comfortable in my own skin.

Sources:

Mayo Clinic Website:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/eating-disorders/DS00294

Medical News Today:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/180142.php

Martin, Courtney E. Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body. Berkley Group, 2008.

by Therese Shechter

This article originally appeared in Skirt! on January 1, 2010 as part of their series “The F Word: Feminists Speak Out”

“I really do hold to a personal belief that sex is something special to be shared only with someone who is truly a soul mate…and, let’s just say that at this point in my life I still haven’t found that ‘special someone.’” TM, 41, from the blog The American Virgin.

I, too, was a late bloomer sex-wise. Growing up, I had bought into the whole magical/true love/special someone scenario which, for me, translated into losing my virginity to a handsome, med school-bound boyfriend. He failed to materialize, and by the time I was 23, I was tired of waiting.

So I said screw it, and had sex with a guy I had gone out with all of three times who made some smooth moves on me one night in his basement apartment. So what if it was awkward and we never saw each other again? I was no longer a virgin and I was thrilled. Much to my surprise, though, I felt totally unchanged by the experience. I didn’t even bleed—my hymen was as blasé as the rest of me. I had saved my “precious gift” for this?

I’ve since made up for lost time, but I remain fascinated by how people make their sexual debuts. Is there a right way to lose your virginity? A right reason? A right person? I’m making a documentary to explore these questions called How to Lose Your Virginity. I also write a blog about all things virgin, from more than made up the abstinence-only movement to virginity auctions to artificial hymens. Several months ago, my readers began sending in stories about their own experiences around virginity, which turned into a series of popular posts called “First Person.”

Natalie, 26, was one of the first to contribute, and I relate to her feelings: “Around my 20th birthday, I began to feel ashamed about my lack of sexual experience. The emotional baggage that went along with feeling unwanted and ‘different/defective’ was much more damaging than the physical act of never having had sex.”

I cringe when I think about all the times I nodded and smiled knowingly when college friends talked about sex. At the age of 23, I believed I was the oldest living virgin and everyone around me was having fabulous sex with their devoted boyfriends. In retrospect, I’m sure many were as full of shit as I was.

Rosie, 21, echoes the feelings of several women I know: “An older man was willing to give me some attention and make me feel special. It was hard to resist even though I knew the situation was really wrong. I knew I was being taken advantage of, but it was nice to feel wanted.”

I think “First Person” is popular partly because of the wide variety of experiences and opinions about virginity. We’re fed a lot of crap about what our first times should be like, whether it’s the promise of perfect wedding night sex after a life of abstinence, losing it on prom night with your football player boyfriend, or going wild on spring break while the cameras roll. Reality is something else entirely, so it’s no wonder many of us feel abnormal and then are too embarrassed to talk about it.

I’m so grateful for this post from Lilith, 21: “My first sexual experience was date rape, and after recovering from the incident I found I continued to identify as a virgin, partly because I didn’t feel attached to my body at the time. At times I wish my first time was all magical like I was led to believe, but I don’t regret it. It was what it was, I can’t change it, and it has led me to where I am now, having sex with someone I love.”

Dana, 26, was inspired to make her own sexual debut after reading “First Person.” She then shared her own story with the blog. I wish I could have read her post back when I was contemplating my first time: “Having sex was just another step along the gradual slope of sexual experience. I feel freer now to pursue sex so I want to go out there, find people I like, and have sex with them and enjoy myself. That’s my mission now.”

Therese Shechter is a filmmaker, writer and activist based in Brooklyn. She tweets at @TrixieFilms, and her blog “The American Virgin” is at http://theamericanvirgin.blogspot.com. More info on her work is at http://www.trixiefilms.com.

Reproduced with permission from Skirt!