Court Activism & T-Shirt Contest!
Submit Your Idea
Our January Sisters in Solidarity Forum went great yesterday. Interesting and candid discussions arose and new plans for activism crystallized. Thanks to all who participated.
SIS is the new Activist Arm of Women’s Coalition International. Members have committed to engaging in activism that contributes to ending the Post-Separation Crisis.
Previously, the plan was to wait until all Sisters understood well and could speak clearly about the true nature and cause of the Post-Separation Crisis. But new women are joining every day and many are steeped in misinformation they have gotten from professionals and organizations that have misled them—so that may be a while.
Hence, a new plan has emerged.
In the interim, while educating new Sisters is ongoing, activism will begin in places where there is at least one Sister who is well-versed in the crisis and can lead the others.
COURT ACTIVISM
The type of activism we are talking about here is Court Activism. We will be adding other types subsequently.
There are two parts to Court Activism: Inside & Outside Court.
INSIDE THE COURT
When a mother requests support at her hearing (and it is approved), Sisters and other Women’s Coalitionists will attend Inside the Court. We will sit together quietly during the proceedings. This is not the traditional court watch where you take notes and record what the judge does wrong. We know the problem is systemic, not a matter of individual, corrupt judges.
This Court Activism is not viewed as “helping” mothers because there is no way to predict what will help and what won’t help, since the system is rigged against women. Hopefully it will help; but regardless, we are there to be a powerful female presence, to let the judge know that we know s/he is engaging in systemic male entitlement and female oppression. This may result in the judge treating the mother more fairly and respectfully, if not actually changing the almost-surely preordained outcome.
OUTSIDE THE COURT
Optimally, there will also be an Outside the Court component that takes place either an hour or so before and/or after the hearing. Sisters will raise awareness with court-goers and the public about the crisis. There will be SIS posters and flyers which will help draw attention and expose the injustice women are facing inside the repressive Family Court. This will serve to warn women about what awaits them inside the courtroom and also to gather women to join our cause.
The Lead Sister(s) will be responsible for answering questions about the Post-Separation Crisis, keeping participants on the right track and speaking with reporters when media is involved.
NOTE: There does not need to be a mom’s hearing to do court activism. Sisters can stand outside the court any day of the week or even have a regular day every week or month when they raise awareness and get more women to join the cause. Mothers in San Diego made a “Family Court Friday” and did it every week. They said it was empowering to let mothers know what awaited them Inside. It also provides a modicum of accountability for the judges.
COORDINATING OUTFITS
Ideally Sisters will all be wearing coordinating outfits. This is done to grab people’s attention, incite curiosity, and show solidarity of purpose—to drive home the point that this is a women’s issue and we are united in the effort to end the crisis.
A purple blazer will be worn over a t-shirt that says: Sisters in Solidarity, with any kind of long, dark pants or jeans.
T-SHIRT CONTEST
We will have a t-shirt contest (no, not the wet kind) for the best design.
The shirt must say Sisters in Solidarity on the front (nothing on the back). Our logo may be used if desired:
Submit ideas to: womenscoalitionintl@gmail.com, Subject: tshirt
More than one design may be chosen.
If you would like to model the outfit, let us know.
Your reward will be knowing you contributed to ending the Post-Separation Crisis and a Certificate of Appreciation from The Women’s Coalition!
WEBINAR
There will be a webinar training in March for those who are interested in being a Lead Sister in their area, but any Sister who would like to attend may.
All who have signed up for SIS will be sent an invitation. You may sign up after reading this column and watching this powerpoint by filling out this form.
A main goal of Sisterhood activism is to get as many women on board as possible. It is only when women unite as a class that we will have the political power to take down the patriarchal family court system and replace it with a new system that provides respect, protection and due process for ourselves and our children.
Thank you to everyone who takes time out of their busy schedule to make a difference in this vital issue!
IN OTHER NEWS
DR. BLUE’S BOOK
The Prologue and first two chapters of Dr. Blue’s book: Mother-Fucking: The Saga of One Fucked Mother were posted in a Women’s Coalition News & Views column last week. It was received with great enthusiasm.
From now on, one chapter a week will be posted on Wednesdays, so check your email! Or you can visit WCN&V posts page anytime for the links.
You may also support the Coalition’s work through a one-time or recurring contribution at paypal.me/TheWomensCoalition
I think court activism will be good for women. Family court judges will know we're there. Raising awareness about the systemic male entitlement dominating family court will open some eyes. It'll point out that women are not bad mothers or crazy. Hopefully, it'll lessen some of the guilt, pain, fear and loneliness many women experience. It'll help empower women. Mothers that are going through custody battles and mothers that have been through it. Family court judges will see us. Court activism will be good for women.
Very excited to begin this chapter of activism