Activisim log 4

Andee Ondina
Jeannina Perez
WST 3015

March 22, 2010

Activism Log 4

• Activism 

     Over Spring break I received an email from Barry Wilder a manager at Sweet! By Good Golly Miss Holly, wanting to know more information on our Animal Safehouse project. I responded informing him what Animal Safehouse was and what it aimed to do. I also attached fliers with more information. Barry responded saying that he is more than happy to help out with the project. At first we discussed tabling outside of the store, however the landlord had an issue with it. Barry suggested we arrange and in store table where we raise awareness and instead of taking donations, a portion of the sales that night would go towards Animal Safehouse. I sent an email out to the group letting them know the good news and we decided that it may be beneficial to do 2 different events since the Italian restaurant was not wanting us to table during a busy time of day.
      Another great step for Animal Safehouse happened this week. The woman I spoke to at the dog park, Lauren Mialki, producer of The Daily Buzz, had asked me to forward her information to Arielle and Leandra in hopes of getting them on the show. This week that all actually happened. Arielle and Leandra went on live TV and spread the word of Animal Safehouse on a national television. It felt good knowing that this all fell into place and all it took was handing a flier to the right person at the right time.

• Refletion

       The week of spring break although somewhat of a slow week, I feel like the things that were accomplished were big achievements. Being able to get in touch with Barry Wilder, the manager of Sweet! a popular frozen yogurt and cupcake shop in the Waterford area was a big step for our group. We had set our sites on small mom and pop joints so we could avoid the hassle of corporate. The fact that Sweet! contacted us after Katelyn and I handed a flier to them 2-3 weeks ago goes to show that having high hopes and faith that things will work out, will pay off. The fact that one little action can make a difference makes me smile. "The process of creating change requires a combination of theoretical insights and understandings, visions of alternatives and action. This involves using your head, heart, and hands in ways that reinforce one another" (Kirk and Okazawa-Rey 584). The circumstance of The Daily Buzz also shows this. I was just at the dog park handing out fliers trying to reach people on a micro and meso level, the people of the community. All it took was me to hand the flier and talk to one woman who could bring the awareness of Animal Safehouse from the micro to the macro level, a national television show. "Whether small and individual or large and in a group, the steps we take to change the world connect us with others" (Seely 15).

•  Reciprocity

   The feeling of knowing that one conversation at the dog park led to such a great moment for Animal Safehouse is very inspiring. At first I was a little timid to walk up to people and talk about such a touchy subject, as abuse. However after seeing what one conversation could do, one fearless act could achieve, I am no longer timid and am more than willing to talk to anyone who has questions. It feels empowering to know that you are part of such a great organization.

Work Cited

Kirk, Gwyn, and Margo Okazawa-Rey. Creating Change: Theory, Vision, and Action. Women's Lives Multicultural Perspectives. 5th ed. New York: McGraw Hill, 2010.583-598.

Seely, Megan. Fight Like a Girl: How to be a Fearless Feminist. New York and London: New York University Press, 2007.