Activism Log

                  This week was the countdown to d-day and the day itself. Last week I took up all my collections from my hygiene supply drives at my churches. I had several donations of supplies themselves and several monetary donations. I went to the dollar store and purchased 70 dollars’ worth of lotion, shampoo, conditioner, hair clips, and things of the like. I met with Dr. Santana on Wednesday to give her the supplies and plan for Saturday’s Women to Women Conference event in Apopka. We decided that rather than plan a specific duty for me for that day, that we would have me as a floater and I would work where I felt most needed. After arriving at the Community center I was told that we were expected to have 68 children in need of childcare from infants to 12 years of age. We found out that generally people my age are terrified of infants, but I found that my particular skills as a nanny and a childcare professional would best be served with the infants. Mrs. Tina and I cared for five infants ages 5months to 1 ½ years old all day, a job I was thrilled and comfortable with but challenged by a language barrier, even though the children were extremely young. The teamwork shown by the other volunteers and myself helped our event run almost seamlessly. Every person lent a hand when there was need. This event was not about us, it was about serving the female farmworkers and gaining perspective and awareness of the need that is very near to where we call home.

                I had so much fun at this event, I will probably volunteer next year again even as a graduate. From an activist perspective, I would like to hold more events like this to lend any aid to these women possible. This week in class we discussed the environmental issues involving women. The women who our event served are those working out in the environment with the produce who are exposed to the toxins and pesticides used on the crops producing the food we eat. They are the ones who are directly affected health wise by these environmental issues. “The people most affected by poor physical environments in the United States are people from communities of color. Many women of color and poor white women are in hundreds of local organizations campaigning for healthy living and working conditions in their communities which are disproportionately affected by pollution from incinerators, toxic dumps, fertilizers, pesticides, and hazardous working conditions in industry and agriculture.” (Lorber) The book refers to this common trend as “environmental racism” a term which I feel is extremely accurate. These women are undereducated, underpaid, and most of the time don’t have access to  healthcare to treat the illnesses they develop from these toxins. The issue of environmental justice is extremely present in Apopka, Florida, my backyard which means it is definitely present globally and should be addressed.

Word Count:494

References
Lorber, J. The Social Construction of Gender. 5th. 1991.