Susan Hawthorne has a new poem featured on the Feminist Peace Network's website. Read the poem on their website here. It is in reaction to the proposed mining of the Liverpool Plains in NSW.
In response to an article in The Age, Julie Gale writes in a letter to the editor published Sep 18 09: 'No, all is not well. Christine Gordon (Comment & Debate, 17/9) shooting a messenger such as social commentator Melinda Tankard Reist will not help "young women find their own way". There is little doubt among child development professionals that all is not well in girl world. Yes, many kids are doing well, but many others are struggling. Research links sexualisation with increased anxiety, depression, eating disorders, early sexual contact and increased sexually transmitted infections. The rate of self-harm in young females has increased by more than 50 per cent in the past decade. John Marsden may write "wonderful books for young people" but that does not mean he is right when it comes to the sexualisation issue. Women should support each other in helping our struggling girls (and boys) navigate their way through the sexualised culture we have imposed on them.
Getting Real has been released to great media attention, including a double-page spread in The Weekend Australian Inquirer section and a multitude of radio. Melinda Tankard Reist was a guest on Jon Faine's Conversation Hour, as well as Life Matters -with contributor Louise Newman- plus Sydney 2UE, ABC Southern Qld and ABC Northern Tas, while contributor Julie Gale appeared on RN's Counterpoint.
& look out for Melinda on ABC TV Q&A this Thursday, 9.30pm.
Melbourne University's Cordelia Fine writes about waxing, plucking, tweezing and womanhood: 'Meanwhile the younger generation watches and learns. In Getting Real...Melinda Tankard Reist shows how the relentless pressure on women to be better-than-real is touching the lives of girls at an increasingly young age...She describes a Melbourne-based website for girls that -until complaints were made- promoted Brazilian waxing alongside ads for Playschool and Barbie Princess dolls.'
Jordie Albiston and Patricia Sykes will be participating in a session on libretti on Fri 28 Aug, and Melinda Tankard Reist converses on 'birth wars' in an interview with Mary-Rose MacColl, Sat 29 Aug.
Former High Court Judge of Botswana, Unity Dow will speak at the University of SA's Hawke Insitute on Weds 16 Sept on the topic, Through Their Eyes: Of Diamond Rings and Cows, Diamonds For Love and Cows For..?
Getting Real: Challenging the Sexualisation of Girls will be launched at NSW Parliament House on Weds 23 Sept, 6pm as part of a forum on the early sexualisation of children, organised by Greg Donnelly MLC.
To be launched by Melina Marchetta, MC Sophie York and with entertainment by vocalist Evelyn Duprai. Featuring editor Melinda Tankard Reist and contributors Maggie Hamilton and Julie Gale.
Wednesday 23 September, 6pm Staff Dining Room, NSW Parliament House Macquarie St, Sydney
rsvp to Spinifex Press, tel 03-9329 6088 or women@spinifexpress.com.au
