Featuring Jillian Hanesworth, Buffalo’s Poet Laureate and author of The Revolution Will Rhyme; with Shaina Merchant, WNYPC Office Manager and poetry afficianado; Deidra EmEl, WNYPC Executive Director and arts instigator; and Vicki Ross, WNYPC Community Coordinator.
Discussion:
values we bring
Poetry and Activism
Poetry and Healing – for individuals; for the community
The origins of The Revolution Will Rhyme, with remarks by Dr. Cornel West
plans and hopes for the future
ways people can make, promote, and get involved in poetry
The show is taped for just under an hour by Think Twice Radio: Home of the Future (thanks to Richard Wicka, our wonderful producer). The Zoom recording, livestreamed on Facebook during the taping, will air on WBNY 91.3FM on the following Monday at 1pm EST. After airing, you can also find the video archived on the WNY Peace Center YouTube channel.
In honor of Women’s History Month, The Western New York Peace Center would like to recognize a strong woman, who continues to spread her traditions and culture to all with peace, strength and resilience. Louise Herne McDonald, Bear Clan mother, aka Mama Bear, is the woman we would like to acknowledge this month. Some of us had the honor of meeting her at the International Women’s Day Talking Circle, which was held at The Niagara Arts & Cultural Center. Mama Bear is a light and a force, she is the true definition of what it means to be a strong woman. Mama bear is from Tribal Nation Kanien’keha:ka which translates to People of the Flint. As stated in an article by Spirit Aligned she is “a condoled Mohawk Bear Clan Mother, she pulls the threads of ancient matrilineal knowledge from Sky Woman’s origins to the present. Louise activates ceremony as a way of being and knowing over the life course—truly as a pathway away from violence, abuse, and illness to health”.
To read more about the Haudenosaunee Creation Story, Sky Woman please go here.
Mama Bear speaks about matriarchy and how her culture has always been heavily based upon strong female leaders. Women have always been important in the Native American cultures, when electing leaders, and when it came to living situations, it was dependent on the women. Everyone has a voice, and all people in their society are equally important and necessary to each other. The role of the Clan Mother has been passed down for generations. She envisions a world where women are equals, where women are empowered, and where women are leaders.
In an interview with Women’s Media Center she stated “it’s unfortunate that the patriarchal European male mind could not comprehend the worth of women, and the brilliance of women, and they chose to ignore them; and I think that’s what’s eating away at the world: patriarchy. And, you know, I wouldn’t venture to say that it’s men in general, it’s the mentality that puts the privileged white male at the forefront of our decision making to the detriment of the rest of our society”. The full interview can be found here. If European men looked at the Native American model when they originally migrated to America, things may have been different. Instead they changed everything, suppressed women, and disrupted society. Women eventually fought back, with the help of Indigenous people as the inspiration of the Women’s movement.
Mama bear cares so deeply about this Earth, and her people. In her role “she has taken on responsibilities for her people, leading her to efforts of healing, restoring, and finding voice. Louise tells us that her people are evolving the story of trauma and loss to a new story of strength that is grounded in cultural resiliency” (Spirit Aligned). She gives so much to her community, and continues to educate the rest of the world. She is a strong, resilient woman, who deserves recognition during Women’s History Month.
All members of the WNY community are invited for solidarity, healing, inspiration, and shared learning and perspectives. This event is organized/presented by the WNY Peace Center and hosted by Riverside Salem UCC/DC.
The community will meet at Lafayette Avenue & Niagara Street at 12:45 PM, then at 1 PM march together to Broderick Park (foot of Ferry) for the event. We will have a family area, guest speakers and performers, and a comfortable environment for all to stand in solidarity.
Parking: There will be some lot and street parking available around the meeting point. If you plan to park at Broderick Park, please do so by 12:30 PM as it will be closed off to vehicles after that for the event.
Please bring your dry good donations to the #WomensMarch WNY at Broderick Park between 1 and 3 PM tomorrow! We are also looking for volunteers to help lift and a truck to transport these goods. Please contact (by phone or text):
Deidra EmEl at 716-603-0015
WNYPC Google Voice 716-253-1486
If you are able, please wear a shade of blue to the event; a color that represents peace and healing, as well as connects us to the mission of the Afghan Peace Volunteers: “a human family to live without wars, to share our resources and to take care of our earth under the same blue sky.”
Program
Opening Ceremonies
Welcome: Deidra EmEl, WNYPC Executive Director
Gnonyoh: Jill Yagwoneest Clause, Tuscarora
Land Acknowledgement: Sarah Kirschner, WNYPC MSW Intern
Underground Railroad Acknowledgement: Ras Jomo
Speakers & Performances (Please check in with a WNYPC Volunteer.)
If your organization or business would like to support (i.e., affirms our principles and goals, and will publicize) the event, please complete our supporter interest form at https://forms.gle/wEsTYu5x2ysD59Ln9.
Questions? Call the office at 716-332-3904, text our Google Voice at (716) 253-1486, or email womensmarch@wnypeace.org.
Mission: The Women’s March of Buffalo/WNY, opposed to all forms of oppression, seeks to increase equity and equality for women and all oppressed people by ensuring structural and systemic changes in our local government, local businesses and organizations, and within society at large in order to guarantee a women’s right to health, safety and freedom from violence. We seek this regardless of racial, economic, or citizenship status; and value the dignity and humanity of women of color, women with disabilities, and LGBT/queer and gender non-conforming people, and everyone’s equal place in the movement and in society.
Stop by our Welcome table to 
