Activism Project
Third Wave Feminism
Spring 2006

Contact Me:
Dr. Meredith Guthrie
raeguth@bgnet.bgsu.edu
(419)372-0509 

The purpose of this assignment is to familiarize you with some of the activist work being performed in your local area. (“Local” can be defined as your town, county, or state. Try not to go beyond your home state.) All too often we hear about problems and think that there is nothing we can do to change them or make them better. For this paper, you will research a group that is doing something concrete to make people’s lives better.

Mechanics:

• At least 5 pages, double spaced
• 12 pt. Times New Roman font (or smaller – nothing bigger)

Due Date:

• NO LATER than Monday, May 1

Subject of your paper:

• For this paper, you must research a local charity group or political organization that performs activist work with women.
• You can research this group in many ways (the best papers will do all of these when possible):
• Look at their website
• keep in mind that many groups do not have websites, since they may not have the resources. If you know how to build a website, perhaps you could offer the group your services!
• Read their literature, such as brochures, pamphlets, and booklets
• Take a tour of their facility
• It’s a good idea of calling ahead to make sure it’s ok for you to stop by
• Call them on the phone
• Have your questions written down and ready before you call. The people in these groups are busy, and you don’t want to waste their time.
• Make sure you have done some research beforehand to make sure your questions are good ones!
• Interview a member of the organization in person
• Again, make sure you’ve done your homework first
• Your paper will answer these questions:
• Describe the organization:
• Where is it?
• What kind of facility do they have, if any?
• What is their history?
• Any other general information can you include?
• What is the mission of this organization?
• What group does this organization serve?
• What methods does this organization use (Do they primarily raise and hand out money? Do they work actively with the population they serve? Do they lobby politicians? What, in other words, do they do?)
• Does this group fit within the rubric of third wave feminism? Why or why not?
• What are the obstacles to this groups’ work?
• What help does this group need from the public?
• What does this group do well?
• What could this group do more effectively?
• What are the goals of this group in the short- and long-term?
• Also, include any other information you find to be pertinent.

Resources:

• Google! Common search terms include “activism,” “service group,” and any of the “isms” we’ve learned about plus the name of your town, county, or state. For example, I found these websites through that search (You’re not required to use these websites, they’re just examples):
• Campus Activism: http://www.campusactivism.org/
• ACLU in Ohio: http://www.acluohio.org/
• The Free Press Guide to non-profit groups: http://www.freepress.org/guide.php?strType=0
• Applied Research Center: http://www.arc.org/
• NAACP: http://www.naacp.org/
• Activist Websites for women’s issues: http://www-unix.umbc.edu/~korenman/wmst/links_actv.html
• National Organization for Women (NOW): http://www.now.org/
• NARAL: http://www.naral.org/

What makes a good group to study?

• They’re local
• Their main purpose concerns fighting the “isms” we studied this semester. (NOT being a social group that does charity on the side – this means that most fraternities and sororities are out)
• They’re non-profit. (for example, the charity efforts of a for-profit organization, such as Wal-Mart, are out)
• If you’re not sure about the group you have found, ask me and I’ll let you know.

What groups should I stay away from?

• Social groups
• For-profit groups 

As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask!