Freedom Socialist • Vol. 29, No. 3 • June-July 2008

Radical Women Conference

The Persistent Power of Socialist Feminism

October 3-6, 2008, The Women’s Building, San Francisco

Credit: RW

Key Topics
• Women and revolution — alive and inseparable!
• Nourishing a grassroots feminist movement independent of the twin parties of war and reaction
• Women of color and immigrant women ignite a labor revival
• Multi-racial organizing in a society divided by racism
• The dynamic leadership of youth and queers
PLUS • Skills training • Strategy workshops • Political theory • Poetry, music and much more

Radical Women’s 41st Anniversary Conference occurs at a very important time. Around the world, women are part of a bold resistance to reactionary social and political forces. In Latin America, women and indigenous people are providing vibrant workingclass leadership against crippling neoliberal trade agreements. In Mexico, “Adelita” brigades shut down congress to oppose privatization of the nationalized oil industry. These movements provide a powerful stimulus to the entire hemisphere.

In the U.S., women are both targets and opponents of repression. In the anti-war, racial equality, immigrant, labor, student and queer movements, organizing is sparked and driven by women, especially women of color. They demand justice for Sean Bell and Black youth in Jena as well as funding for services in New Orleans. They oppose racist shock-jocks and lead unionization campaigns. They have stopped shipments of Iraq war supplies on the streets of Washington State. They defend civil liberties and continue the fight for affirmative action, childcare, and an end to sexual violence. They infuse the immigrant rights movement with militancy inspired by anti-imperialist upsurges in Latin America and fueled by the fight against U.S. xenophobia.

U.S. women are fighting tooth and nail to keep gains won by past generations, as well as to advance women’s cause. But feminist reformists and NGOs hold back the movement by diverting organizing into single-issue and Democratic Party politics. Radical Women looks for inspiration and strategies to our revolutionary socialist foremothers, and to the civil rights militants, students, lesbians, and unionists who spearheaded the Second Wave women’s liberation movement. Such women today are the sparkplugs for radical change and, by working in coalition with supportive men who have their own stake in achieving human liberation, they can truly shake the status quo.

Now is the time to mobilize women who are open to revolutionary alternatives to capitalism. The Radical Women conference is an opportunity to grapple with ideas, examine the limitations of reformism, gain the confidence to challenge the system, and build the ranks of socialist feminists. Radical Women has a time-tested program, decades of experience, and the responsibility to reach out, connect with, and train women who are outraged and ready to take action to change the world.

If you are interested in attending or helping with this exciting and historic event mail in the registration form or contact the Conference Organizing Center at radicalwomenus@gmail.com or 206-722-6057 or 722-2453.

Check for conference updates at www.RadicalWomen.org

Register today! Print out and mail this form with check to: Radical Women, 5018 Rainier Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98118.

Enclosed is $_______ for:

__ $55 for four days

__ $25 for student and low-income for four days

__ $______ for ___ days @ $15 per day

__ $______ for ___ days @ Student/low-income $7.50 per day

__ $______ donation

__ I would like to volunteer.

Women and men are welcome. To make hotel accommodations call the Best Western Americana at 1-800-736-3766 before August 27 and ask for the Radical Women Conference rate. If you want to share a room, contact RW before calling the hotel.

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