• Loving Day

    June 13, 2009 // No Comments »

    “We loved each other and got married,” she [Mildred Loving] told The Washington Evening Star in 1965, when the case was pending. “We are not marrying the state. The law should allow a person to marry anyone he wants.”

    Mildred Loving fought for her right to marry someone of another race in 1960’s Virginia. More than 40 years later we are still fighting for true marriage equality.

    Stay tuned…..recap of Philadelphia’s First SwirlPhilly Loving Day events to come!

    Related Stories:

    Matriarch of Inter-Racial Marriage Dies

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24468808/

    The Huffington Post Interview with Loving Day Founder

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jennifer-gandin-le/loving-day-its-not-a-hall_b_51358.html

    Village Voice Interview with Loving Day Founder

    http://www.villagevoice.com/2006-06-06/people/love-actually

    2006 Washington Post Article

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201716.html

    Posted in ChangeBloggers, Diversity, LGBTQ Issues

    SwirlPhilly Hosting Loving Day Celebration @ The Franklin – RACE Exhibit Discussion

    May 30, 2009 // No Comments »

    SwirlPhilly is celebrating Loving Day this year by hosting a trip to see the RACE exhibit at the Franklin. We will meet after the viewing to participate in a discussion on the exhibit and Loving Day. Community dinner to follow!

    This is a family friendly event. Bring your children, spouses, parents, etc.!!

    franklin-race-exhibit

    Date: Saturday, June 13, 2009
    Time: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
    Location: The Franklin
    Street: 20th and Ben Franklin Blvd
    City/Town: Philadelphia, PA

    Phone: 215.776.1162
    Email: kathrini@swirlinc.org

    RSVP requested as we are receiving group museum rates!

    The Loving Day name comes from Loving v. Virginia (1967), the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalized interracial marriage in the United States.

    Loving Day’s mission is to fight racial prejudice through education and to build multicultural community. It is a global network of annual celebrations you can host or attend, as well as an educational campaign that you can be a part of every day. Swirl partners with Loving Day every year as it’s mission is central to our work. We are a national organization with 11 chapters focused on challenging society’s notions of race through community building, education and action.

    Posted in ChangeBloggers, Diversity

    MIA for a good cause…

    May 21, 2009 // No Comments »

    I just came up for air and realized that TDP has been MIA for several weeks. A combination of work and extra-curricular social justice activities are to blame.

    NSC is gearing up for several events over the next 6 months:

    World Refugee Day
    June 20

    Networking for a Cause (benefiting NSC)
    July 9

    2009 Global Tastes (annual fundraiser)
    September 30

    Stay tunes for more on these events!

    Of course there are tons of other projects in between those dates. I feel extremely blessed to be in such an extraordinary position. I still pinch myself sometimes. I recently interviewed a refugee who has been in Philadelphia for a little more than 3 months. He is absolutely amazing – his spirit and determination is mindbogglingly.  I cannot wait to share his story with everyone.

    Swirl Events:

    Swirl is coordinating Loving Day events with all of its chapters. This will be the first (of many) events where all chapters are coordinating around the same theme. Lots of exciting things going on with Swirl these days. I lost a co-organizer, but I am still excited about the momentum that we established here in Philadelphia. We have several individuals who are interested in a more active role in chapter activities.

    Come out to our May Happy Hour and Chapter Planning Meeting on Thursday, May 28, 2009 at 6pm at Bridgewater Pub in 30th Street Station.

    It is definitely past my bedtime, so I am off.  I am definitely back and will be posting more often in the days and weeks to come.

    Posted in Career, Community