WAM! It Yourself

Want to do something about gender bias in media?
Then WAM! It Yourself wants you.

(click here to download the Call for Proposals)

We’re looking for people around the country and the globe to hold events promoting gender justice in media, all on the same weekend: March 25 – 28, 2010.

Who’s invited? Media producers, PR strategists, journalists, activists, academics, community organizers, feminists, funders and philanthropists, “citizen” media watchdogs, media policy advocates, alternative-network-builders, bloggers, writers, teachers, artists, technology trainers, cartoonists, dj’s … We want your involvement.

WAM! It Yourself is a brand-new, decentralized version of the annual Women, Action & the Media (WAM!) Conference. This year, instead of asking everyone who cares about gender justice in media to gather together in one place for WAM!, we’re asking you to help make WAM! happen exactly where you are. Together, we can produce the biggest and most effective WAM! yet – in dozens of cities at the same time.

Here are some types of events you might choose to produce for WAM! It Yourself:

  • A happy hour or other social event bringing together media makers and activists in your area
  • A panel discussion on a topic related to gender justice in media
  • A direct action (letter-writing campaign, flash mob, boycott, demonstration, etc.) intended to draw attention to, protest or change a gender-related media practice
  • A workshop, training or skillshare event to train participants in media or media-activism related skills
  • A strategic planning, collaboration or action/organizing meeting
  • A temporary art installation related to gender bias in media
  • A film screening with discussion
  • A virtual event (livechat, video contest, themed blog day or blog carnival, etc.)
  • A concert, party, performance, or other ticket-based event to raise funds for WAM!
  • Any other format you can dream up!

For more specific topic ideas, check out the full list of 2009 WAM! conference sessions – but please don’t be limited by them! http://www.centerfornewwords.org/wam/presenters_sessions.php

Want in? There are three easy ways to participate:

1) Plan a WAM! It Yourself event in your community! It’s easy, and the WAM! National Office is ready to help you with promotions, connections and logistics. To get started, just click here to download the Call for Proposals.

2) Are you an experienced event organizer? WAM! It Yourself is looking for mentors to pair with new event coordinators who could use a little support. E-mail Jaclyn for more info, or to volunteer.

3) Want to help out with an event that’s already being planned? E-mail Ashley and she’ll put you in touch with organizers in your community. Events are already being planned for the following locations:

Boston
Chicago
DC
Los Angeles
New York City
San Antonio
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(last updated 2/23/10)

Plus, we’re asking all WAM! It Yourself events to build in a way to share something from their event with others not in their area – so check back here for report-backs, videos, liveblogs, photos and more…

See you at WAM! It Yourself – wherever you are!