Peace Education Center

From the Desk of Melissa Osborn, Co-Chair of the Peace Education Center

The Peace Education Center of Greater Lansing (Michigan) is announcing the formation of a Women’s Rights Task Force, in honor of International Women’s Day (March 8).

Why now? Let’s face it, the struggle for women’s rights is an ongoing effort, and with the current political discourse in this nation, we see the efforts of our grandmothers and mothers crumbling before our eyes. But it’s not only this recent traction with war on women that is pushing this effort forward. We still struggle with several peace and justice issues that disproportionately affect women, such as human trafficking, sexual assault in the military, rape as a weapon of war, domestic violence, and poverty, just to name a few.

There are also very personal reasons for me, as a survivor of domestic violence and poverty, that led me to form this task force. I am asking supporters of the cause in Mid-Michigan to join me, bring your experiences, ideas, and your passion, and let’s start fighting back for ourselves and the women around us. It’s time. As a newly formed task force, we can form this together, the mission, the events, everything. The first meeting will be held on March 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church in East Lansing, Michigan.

And men, you are welcome to fight in this effort with us.

PEC Women’s Rights Task Force Meeting:

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 at 7 p.m.

Meeting Location:

Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing
855 Grove St
East Lansing, MI 48823
(517) 515-5634

A “Now More Than Ever: Education Equity Rally at MSU” has been announced for January 28, 2012, on the Michigan State University campus at Beaumont Tower in East Lansing.

Theme: Now More Than Ever

When: Saturday, January 28th at 1:30 p.m.

Where: Beaumont Tower, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

This morning, 15 million children growing up in poverty woke up, got dressed, and went to a failing school. A school which will allow 50% of those kids to drop out before they graduate high school; a school which will allow the other half to perform, on average, at an 8th grade level. They are told that they too can be a part of the American Dream—however, to those low-income students the ‘American Dream’ is just that: a dream. Their voices have gone unheard for too long.

Until January 28th…

Now, more than ever we need to unite students, organization, faculty, and community members of East Lansing to come together to raise awareness of the educational inequities which exist in the US today. Now, more than ever we each need to ask, “What can I do to make an impact on the single biggest social injustice which is occurring in the United States today?” On January 28th, we will meet at Beaumont Tower, and together (1,000+) we will march to Wells Hall where we will hear from people who have dedicated their lives to solving this issue and will give you the opportunity to find ways that you can play a role in ending educational inequity.

Now, more than ever a small direct impact today is worth more than just the thought of a better tomorrow.

How can you help right now?

Step 1: Register yourself here.

Step 2: Confirm your attendance by RSVPing to the Facebook event and invite all your Michigan friends!

Step 3: If you have a Twitter, follow @MoreThanEverMSU for exclusive coverage and updates on the event.

Let us know if you want to get involved directly as a volunteer! Send an email to John Matthews at john.matthews@teachforamerica.org.

– by Julianna Bradley