Writers’ Sanctuary with Kim McMillon

Writers’ Sanctuary Presents Elimination of Violence towards Women and Girls: “They are all our daughters!” Hosted by Kim McMillon Tuesday, December 1st, 12 noon – 2 PM, PST (Oakland, CA), November 26, 2009 --- On November 25, 2009, the UN kicked-off 16 days of action for the elimination of violence towards women and girls, globally. Bay Area musician and healer MamaCoAtl, an “Artivist” has gathered a collation of local arts and human rights groups to take part in this global project. Mama CoAtl, who first initiated this observance in the USA five years ago, said, “This significant day has been marked internationally since 1999. But, in 2004 in San Francisco, a few friends and myself first began the commemoration with simple prayers at the Mission St, BART station for a societal healing of violence.” On Tuesday, December 1st from 12 PM – 2PM, Writers’ Sanctuary host Kim McMillon will interview MamaCoAtl, Maria Ochoa, the editor of the anthology, Shout Out: Women Of Color Against Violence, and two of the contributors, Teresa Pedrizco Romero, and Jackie Joice. MamaCoAtl has a varied stage persona, from revolutionary to Earth Mother, a performer unafraid to sing and speak about turbulent times. Comfortable in the art of performance, she curates “happenings” to bring beauty and a sense of sacredness to theaters, public spaces, and the heart. She sings for those humans rendered invisible in dominator culture; for the campesinas, the maquiladoras, and the silenced majorities. Her art is an invitation to healing our earth, to renewing our human spirit. Her album Border Crossing Diosa is a historical document of poetry, prayer and protest. MamaCoAtl, is a healer, and holds an MFA in Creative Inquiry from New College of San Francisco. María Ochoa, PhD, is a writer who teaches at San José State University in the Department of Social Science/Women’s Studies Program. Recent publications include the books Voices of Russell City: