Reflecting on Wilmington’s First Womyn’s Month

Posted By: Anabell Romero March 26, 2012


Wilmington’s First Womyn’s Month in March is a collaborative effort between local organizations and community residents to bring awareness to the issue of violence in the community. By creating a series of workshops for women, this group was able to create safe spaces to become empowered and knowledgeable.

(Left: Local Artist, Gloria painting at the Viva La Mujer Community Celebration)

Although the March Workshop Series is nearing its end, this group is already planning on how to continue to share knowledge and resource to
create a safer community for all residents.

I find myself reflecting on what I have learned this month as both an organizer and participant of this event. The recent violence in Wilmington has weighed heavily on me, and I know that I’m not alone; we are all affected by the loss of life in our community. The makeshift altars have mapped out the violence in Wilmington, mixing pain and death, with love and remembrance.


As helicopters circle above my head and I hear stories in the news about my brothers and sisters in Wilmington being killed, I often feel hopeless and continue to ask myself, “What can I do to help inspire change in Wilmington?”


I know that I can’t just sit around and expect things to get better. Many of us in Wilmington are stepping up and starting to get involved (attending community meetings and marching together for peace), I want to be a part of the solution. Fortunately, I was given the opportunity to work with a group of like-minded people who were ready to take action. Together we planned various workshops for Wilmington’s First Womyn’s Month.


With each death we answered back: empowering ourselves with self defense classes, and educating and expressing ourselves through workshops and discussions. Together, we connected with women and men in Wilmington who supported us by being part of our workshops and events. I believe that we will continue the legacy of love for our city. We can continue to build a strong, vibrant, educated, supportive and loving community, not only for ourselves, but for our children and our children’s children. So lets continue to take action! With heart, compassion and education, the possibilities are endless.


If you would like to learn more about the Wilmington’s First Womyn’s Month, please visit our Facebook Page: facebook.com/vivalamujer310.


(Right: Self Defense Class instructed by Officer Garcinella. Photo by ELLAS collective member, Monique Arellanes.)

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