AN EVENING OF RECKONING & RISING COMES TO ATLANTA
On October 8th, a V25 gathering – AN EVENING OF RECKONING & RISING at The Carter Center celebrated V’ s book and V-Day’ s 25th anniversary raising over $ 80k for the City of Joy.
Our deepest thanks to V-Board members Pat Mitchell, Jane Fonda, Rosario Dawson and Maya Penn for leading the host committee and whose performances captivated the audience. With gratitude for our host committee: V( formerly Eve Ensler), Paige Alexander, Angie Allen, Nikki Noto Benitez, Sara Blakely, Sarah Cipperly, Tena Clark, Enid Draluck, Staci Fox, Pat Mitchell, Laura Turner Seydel, and Susan Celia Swan who contacted friends and networks, wrote emails and social media posts and spread the word. There are people who can make an event truly sing, and V-Day’ s own Tony Montentieri deserves a special bow for this evening – thank you Tony! Special shout out to The Carter Center team who welcomed us with open arms and made the evening so beautiful. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ran a piece in advance of the event entitled“ Tony-winning playwright’ s healing crusade, battling violence against women.”
The event was preceded by a cocktail reception in honor of Christine Schuler Deschryver( Co-founder and Director of City of Joy / V-Day Congo) and the extraordinary, powerful and necessary work of City of Joy. A buzzing, joyous gathering of activists, supporters and friends of our host committee & the V-Day movement.
We are in awe of our amazing presenters and performers: The Carter Center’ s Susan Marx, Pat Mitchell, Rosario Dawson, Joaquina Kalukango, Maya Penn and Jane Fonda. Jane was unable to join in person, but she taped her performance via video and ended it with a wink that the crowd adored! Ending the evening with Tena Clark’ s anthem for One Billion Rising“ Break The Chain” was the icing on our 25th anniversary cake.
On Monday, V( formerly Eve Ensler) and Susan Celia Swan visited the incredible Highlander School and leaders in the Stop Cop City movement as well as the forest where activists have protested the complex and near to where the 26 year old nonviolent protester Tortuguita was murdered by police.