AWC BERLIN NEWSLETTER

THE BEAR FACTS

FEBRUARY 2020

Dear {Contact_First_Name},

February is a month for awareness and activism. This month, AWC Berlin turns its attention to Black History Month. In the United States, where Black History Month has its roots and is widely celebrated, the theme this year is “African Americans and the Vote.” Indeed, the year 2020 is a significant milestone for voting in the U.S.: it marks 150 years since Black men obtained the right to vote; 100 years since women obtained this right; and 55 years since the passage of the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965, which sought to eliminate racial barriers to voting. Black history, of course, transcends the borders of the U.S.

Last month, we visited Mandela: the Official Exhibition at Bikini Berlin. This month, in honor of Black History Month, AWC Berlin is pleased to welcome Ms. Rhea Ramjohn as the guest speaker at our February General Meeting. Rhea, a literary artist, will give us her perspective on the history of Black intellectuals, artists and activists who have shaped Berlin and Europe. It is sure to be an enlightening and thought-provoking discussion. More details on the February General Meeting are below, and an email invitation to you is forthcoming.

In February, we also recognize the movement to end violence against women and girls. On February 14, as in years past, AWC Berlin will support this movement by gathering at Brandenburg Gate to participate in One Billion Rising, a global movement grounded in the idea of rising through dance.

Of course, this month also is full of the Club’s usual events and gatherings involving culture, coffee, book discussions, entertainment, and so much more. No matter how you choose to spend your time with the AWC, I hope you feel connected and engaged in your AWC Berlin community.

To end on a lighter note, February 2 is Groundhog Day in the U.S., when attention turns to the little Pennsylvania town of Punxsutawney and a groundhog named Phil. Did you know that the idea of using a groundhog (or badger or hedgehog) to predict the weather was brought to the U.S. by German immigrants who settled in the state of Pennsylvania? Here’s hoping that this Groundhog Day, Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow and predicts an early spring!

I wish each of you well, and hope to see you soon!

Cheers,

Shweta

Shweta Gupta

President, The American Women's Club of Berlin

president@awcberlin.org

CLUB NEWS & HIGHLIGHTS

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Tess Avellina
Michelle Catudal
Daphne Chiang-Ratke
Patrizia deCandia-Schloss
Danae Friedrichs
Jade Keller
Rachna Reiter
Freya Schrader
Ekram Wassel

We look forward to seeing you soon!

EVENT SPOTLIGHT

February General Meeting: Black History Month

Join us for this special general meeting with guest speaker, Ms. Rhea Ramjohn.

Thursday, February 13, 7:00pm - 8:30pm, Location TBA

Rhea Ramjohn will speak on the rich and deep history of Black intellectuals, artists and activists that have shaped Berlin, and Europe as a whole, and how their impact still actively inform the politics and culture of our world today. Her talk will cover the current intersectional anti-discrimination and empowerment initiatives taking place in Berlin, especially as they pertain to the LGBTQ+, migrant, and asylum communities. Rhea, who, among her many talents, writes poetry, will conclude her talk with a poem that she most recently performed last month at the Haus der Kulturen Welt during German Anti-Discrimination Days 2019.