by Rachel P. Goldstein, Regional Coordinator
One billion women and girls are raped, abused, or beaten in their lifetime.
That statistic was the driving force behind the efforts of myself and my team as we passionately took on Eve Ensler and her One Billion Rising campaign to stop this senselessness.
In February 2012, I saw a Facebook post that mentioned the One Billion Rising campaign, which I immediately reposted. “This is just the beginning of hearing more from me about this new campaign,” it read. I could almost hear Eve saying those words in her playful yet powerful cadence. It noted that on Valentine’s Day 2013 the largest global movement would organize and become realized, with millions of people dancing around the world to stop violence against women and girls.
One billion women and girls are raped, abused, or beaten in their lifetime.
Even after this Valentine’s Day 2013, when One Billion Rising manifested in 207 countries and sparked conversation, dance, dialogue, action, awareness, and understanding throughout the world, I keep saying that line to myself and think, how can we stop this together? Hearts are so big while ignorance and hatred are so weak. How do we communicate and translate a message of peace?
One billion women and girls are raped, abused, or beaten in their lifetime.
New York City hailed as the epicenter of this movement, and my team and I were overjoyed to be the regional coordinators helping to make it all happen. There were over 100 local risings, all of which culminated in a 2,000-person dance party at The Hammerstein Ballroom (the same venue that launched V-Day 15 years ago). Highlights include dance parades across Brooklyn Bridge, flash mobs in Washington Square Park and Union Square Park (over 500 people did the Macarena with powerhouse organizer Michelle Goldblum of I. AM. creative in Union Square!), and dancing on display in ABC Carpet + Home’s iconic Broadway windows. From religious centers to senior care facilities, public schools to private corporations, all of New York City stood up and said: we’re together, and we can stop this.
One billion women and girls are raped, abused, or beaten in their lifetime.
Glenn Close, Rosario Dawson, Kate Clinton, Morley, Betty, DJ Beverly Bond, DJ Spinna, and DJ Hesta Prynn commanded the stage and audience at The Hammerstein. The night was punctuated with outstanding performances from the Brooklyn High School of the Arts, Joya Powell’s Movement of the People Dance Company, and more. My favorite part? The Thriller flash mob by Thrill the World that we scheduled to rise straight from the dance floor at the end of the night!
I am so thankful for Eve for giving my team and I this platform to make a difference in the world. It’s missions like these that confirm my trust in humanity and my love for my work. Looking forward to the V-Day 20th Anniversary!
One billion women and girls are raped, abused, or beaten in their lifetime.
