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Rural Women Everywhere Fall 2021 Archive

Did you miss the conference? Below you'll find all of the sessions from Rural Women Everywhere, Fall 2021

Day One

Opening Poem | Nikiko Masumoto

Poet and organic farmer Nikiko Masumoto shares her poem “You Are Welcome Here” to open Rural Women Everywhere. Nikiko is a yonsei (4th generation) farmer at the Masumoto Family Farm. Though she grew up on her family’s peach farm, she came to farming herself through a journey that included a B.A. in Gender and Women’s Studies at UC Berkeley and a MA in Performance as Public Practice at UT Austin. She’s co-authored two books: The Perfect Peach (a cookbook) and Changing Season. She’s also the co-founder of Yonsei Memory Project which creates inter-generational spaces for ‘memory keeping’ within the Japanese American community and in alliance with other communities and movements for justice and healing.

Revitalizing the Promise of the Rural Agora | Moderated by Hahrie Han

A democracy is only as strong as its agora – the town halls, faith groups, parent-teacher organizations, and neighborhood associations that create opportunities for people to cultivate the capacities needed for self-governance. In many parts of rural America, however, the agora is eroding, and women are stepping up to rebuild. This panel looks at rural communities across the country where women are making decisions that build civic capacity and foster participation in democracy. The panel is moderated by Hahrie Han, inaugural director of the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University, and explores their particular challenges organizing in geographically dispersed rural communities, and the distinct methods they use to cultivate an active rural agora. Panelists include Nema Brewer, Kentucky 120 Co-Founder, Carmen James Randolph, Founding President & CEO · Women’s Foundation of the South, and Jessica Knight, family peer mentor Ohio Start Program.

Allyship with the Rural LGBTQ+ Community | Moderated by LB Prevette

We know it takes persistent work and participation to counteract that narrative of rural communities as inhospitable and non-inclusive. How do we support the flourishing of queer communities in rural America? This panel offers stories and insights from rural lgbtq+ leaders, who discuss their experiences building community in rural areas, what they most appreciate about their small towns, and how rural allies can continue to provide support. Moderated by advocate, organizer, and storyteller, LB Prevette, panelists include Kimberly Phinney, of the Rural Youth Catalyst Project, Lexie James, Youth Liaison for the Hopi Opportunity Youth Initiative; and Mikah Carlos, a member of the Center for Native American Youth- Youth Advisory Board and as a board member for the National Indian Child Welfare Association.

Olivia Komahcheet /Influential Rural Women

Olivia “Liv the Artist” Komacheet performs “Toko” in this video sharing stories of several influential rural women submitted by women across the country. Liv the Artist is a nomadic-bred multi-instrumentalist and emerging producer of Comanche and Otoe heritage whose vibrant music blends together elements of alternative R&B, neo soul, and indie-electronic. Her natural blend of organic sounds and downtempo bedroom Lofi beats resonates and embodies her unique and ever evolving music style as an emerging composer.

Raising Rural | Sarah and Jan Pytalski

Sarah Pytalski shares her story of returning to her home in rural southern Oregon to begin a family with her husband, Daily Yonder associate editor Jan Pytalski. Sarah Pytalski is a senior associate with the communication and policy organization Burness and previously worked at the National Congress of American Indians, where she served for four years as the policy research & evaluation manager.

Breakouts

At the Frontlines of the Pandemic: Perspectives from Women in Business and Public Health | Health Action Alliance

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the disparities in health care and vaccine access in rural communities across the country. This hour-long breakout session with the Health Action Alliance features a discussion of how women-led businesses in rural areas are vital to creating a healthier community, and a healthier community improves outcomes for businesses. Hear from women business owners from rural Iowa and Mississippi who have been on the frontlines during the pandemic as well as leaders from rural health systems in Minnesota and Texas who share the impact of public health and the burden the pandemic has played on women in healthcare in rural communities. Panelists include Emily Yu, Managing Director, Partnerships, de Beaumont Foundation, Aallyah Wright, Staff Writer, Stateline, Teresa Kittridge, Executive Director, 100 Rural Women, Jazzmine Brooks, Founder & Owner, Jai Olive Wellness, and Lesia Daniel-Hollingsworth, Owner, Funtime Preschool.

Rural Women in Journalism | The Daily Yonder

Watch as women from the Daily Yonder and other rural journalists discuss women in rural journalism. Panelists in include Caroline Carlson, digital editor of the Daily Yonder, reporters Kristi Eaton and Liz Carey, and Daily Yonder multimedia producer Xandr Brown.

Day Two

Diane Wilson | Interviewed by Tyler Owens, Rural Assembly

Diane Wilson (Dakota) is a writer, speaker, and editor, who has published two award-winning books, as well as essays in numerous publications. Her new novel, The Seed Keeper, was published by Milkweed Editions in March. The Seed Keeper follows a Dakota family’s struggle to preserve their way of life, and their sacrifices to protect what matters most. Rural Assembly’s Tyler Owens interviews Diane about her journey into this story, what lessons and practices we glean from it, and how Indigenous women build power and legacy in rural America.

Edyael Casaperalta | USDA’s Rural Utilities Service

Edyael Casaperalta, Senior Policy Advisor at the Rural Utilities Service, shares about the work of her agency in rural America. The USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS) provides much-needed infrastructure or infrastructure improvements to rural communities, including water and waste treatment, electric power and telecommunications services. Casaperalta is an attorney who has supported indigenous and underrepresented communities in telecommunications matters. Most recently, she served as ACI Project Manager for AMERIND, the only 100-percent Tribally owned insurance provider in the United States, where she supported the company’s efforts to bring high-speed broadband to Tribal Nations, businesses, and communities. Prior to that, she was a fellow in the American Indian Law Program at the University of Colorado Law School. Casaperalta also served for more than seven years with the Center for Rural Strategies leading the Rural Broadband Policy Group, a national coalition of rural organizations advocating for high-speed, reliable, affordable broadband.

Climate Resilience: Rural Women’s Voice on Hope and Meaning

Moderated by Gabrielle McNalley, Executive Director of Women for the Land

Listen as rural women leaders in agriculture and food systems reflect on how they are finding hope in dark times. Led by Gabrielle McNalley, Executive Director of Women for the Land, the panel includes Amy Garrett, Heather Medina-Sauceda, and Afrose Ahmed.

Breakouts

The Rising Generation and Indigenous Women Lead the Way | 100 Rural Women

100 Rural Women is creating connections and inspiring leadership across the state of Minnesota. This video features a discussion with Indigenous women, students, fellows and researchers who are working to affect positive change in rural Minnesota and their communities. They all approach their work with passion, creativity and strength. Learn more about food justice & sovereignty, language revitalization, transformational education policy, equity, and the networks that connect rural women. Panelists include Nevada Littlewolf, Executive Director and Campaign Manage, Our Children MN, Vanessa Goodthunder, Director, Lower Sioux Indian Community Early Head Start and Head Start, Dani Pieratos, President of Marketing and Sales, Harvest Nation Inc., Delaine Anderson, 100 Rural Women Graduate Research Assistant, University of Minnesota College of Public Health, Jasmine Terry, 100 Rural Women Intern, Undergraduate, University of Minnesota Morris, and Emma Ross Higgins, 100 Rural Women, Lead For America Fellow.

Courageous Mujer Podcast - Knowing Your Worth

Rural Women Everywhere presents Courageous Mujer Podcast with host Gladys Godinez and special guest Norma Flores López. In this episode, we get to know Norma who grew up as a child of a migrant farmworker family from South Texas. She began working in the fields at the age of 12, where she continued working until she graduated from high school. She has long been an active advocate for migrant farmworker children’s rights and continues to raise awareness on issues affecting the farmworker community.

Three Rural Women Who Inspire and Drive Rural Resilience | Our Towns Civic Foundation

Our Towns Civic Foundation Deb Fallows and Ben Speggen lead this conversation with West Virginia judge who directs a juvenile drug court with an iron compassion; a journalist in remote Maine who informs and connects far-flung neighbors through a regional newspaper; and a community visionary and organizer who built a cross-border collaboration among Native Americans, Mexicans, and Anglos in a desert town in southern Arizona. Panelists include Judge Joanna Tabit, Charleston WV; Lora Whelan, Eastport, Maine; and Tracy Taft, Ajo, Arizona.

Reflections on Calling & Action | The OnBeing Project

We are living through continuous change, carrying grief, and experiencing dramatic shifts and emergence. As we’ve endured these growing pains, many of us have found deep practices to sustain us and heard new callings rising within us. Lillie Benowitz from The On Being Project leads this reflective experience to open up space to explore questions of: What is mine to do? Where is my heart being pulled? What can I do to align my actions with where I am called?

Katie Fry | Singer

Californian Katie Fry sings “My California” her tribute to her rural roots.

Lacy Hale | Artist

Lacy Hale has shown her work and public created murals all over the state of Kentucky, including galleries in both Morehead and Frankfort, the Appalshop Gallery in Whitesburg, KY, and the Grayson Gallery in Grayson, KY. Hale’s work was included in a traveling Smithsonian exhibit in 2012. She is co-founder of the following regional arts groups: EpiCentre Arts, Appalachian Women of the Arts, and East Kentucky for Arts Education. She was also co-host of the monthly radio show Art Matters on Appalshop’s WMMT FM for four years. She serves on both the Artist Advisory Board and the Executive Board of the Appalachian Artisan Center in Hindman, KY; and was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Arts Council in February of 2015.

Eliza Blue| Folk Singer

Eliza Blue returns to our Rural Assembly gatherings this fall at Rural Women Everywhere. Eliza is a shepherd, writer & folk-singer. In her 15 years of performing, she has worked and played with Billy Talbot (Crazy Horse), Dessa, Charlie Parr, Channy Leanaugh (Roma di Luna & Polica), Jami Lynn, and Chastity Brown, just to name a few. Other highlights include performances at SXSW, Red Ants Pants, CMJ, and Sioux River Folk Fest. Her song “Let There Be Light,” was recently featured on All Songs Considered.

Dominique Day Hunter | Poet

Dominique Daye Hunter (Black/Sappony/Nansemond Native American) is a storyteller, BIWOC advocate, and multi-disciplinary artist who specializes in poetry and street fashion. She is the CEO of D. Daye Hunter Designs and Eloquent Expressions Writing Services. Dominique’s work explores the complex connections between history, intergenerational trauma, and healing in Black and Indigenous communities. She uses storytelling to create a safe, healing space for women, children, and those who are differently abled. Dominique completed a BS from Arizona State University in Nonprofit Leadership Management with an emphasis in American Indian Studies. The author of “Seeds,” Hunter is a member of Unlock Creative’s Fall 2020 Black Creative Flowers cohort and became a member of the Arizona Artist Investment Program, an invitation-only, pilot cohort program.

Analisa LaCour | Poet

Analisa LaCour Analisa LaCour is a mother and poet who writes about love, loss and identity. Her first book, To Cry for a Falling Star, documents her grief journey as she processed the sudden loss of her mother, a member of the Gila River Indian Community. Analisa is currently a stay at home mom; when she’s not chasing around her children, she enjoys roller skating, hiking, and tending to her plants.