Yesterday, I had the insightful opportunity of attending the annual Campus Progress National Conference in Washington, DC. Similar to YP4, Campus Progress recognizes, challenges, and celebrates the young progressives to bring out positive social change.

I've attended my share of "progressive" conferences. The night before, I usually think about what kind of people might I expect to be participating in this year's conference. Questions like, how do the conference planner select this year's participants, or what are the participants' respective experiences and interests with regards to the progressive movement, usually come to mind.

The weather`s hot already meaning that it`s summer time! You woke up late and your hand's permanently glued to the remote control. It works for a couple of days, but now that's over....and you're bored. What are you going to do between now and that amazing vacation of yours? How do you stay active in the progressive movement when the summer sun is just telling you to go out there and have fun? These are the questions that I have asked myself as well. No worries though, here's a couple of things you can do to stay in the game:

1. Think small. - Do you have an overwhelmingly big vision that you want to get started but don't know how to? Do you want to have results by the end of the year or the start of next but simply don't know where to begin? Think small and start now. Make a few phone calls to organizations or people that you think share your dream. Make a list of groups you can collaborate with so that once the summer is over and everybody else is ready to work, you'll have people that are ready to work with you. A couple of phone calls or letters a day can really make all the difference.

Show your support to the women in Iran!

Reprint:

Feminist Daily News Wire

March 9, 2007

More Women's Rights Activities in Iran

Women's rights activists in Iran participated in protests yesterday commemorating International Women's Day, despite recent detainments of Iranian feminists. News sources are offering conflicting reports of yesterday's activities. The Los Angeles Times reports that about 50 peaceful protestors were "quickly confronted and overwhelmed by riot police, including dozens of young female officers wearing bright green uniforms with red stripes." Eight women and two men were reportedly arrested, and several protestors sustained beatings, according to the Los Angeles Times. Reuters and the Inter Press Service, however, report that several hundred activists attended the protest outside of the Iranian parliament and were attacked by police, though no one was seriously hurt nor arrested.