interview with molly radical cheerleader & feminist activist
Why did you decide to start the Lucy Stoners?
Have you ever been to a really great show, one with such a high energy that you don't want to leave? One night after one such show, my friend and I stayed up all night talking about how great the mood was there. It was very "how can we keep this spirit alive." For some reason [this show] stuck with me. It was such a great atmosphere, very "we can take on the world." I just wanted to take this feeling home, back to my boring life in Akron, and apply it to daily life. I think that's what the Lucy Stoners are trying to do. We've all had these really great moments, ones that really reassure us that everything's going to be okay.
How did you get the word out?
Our most recent undertaking was the creation of a 'zine entitled "The Slut Manifesto." It has been distributed locally, as a means to spread our message...Generally though, we're big flyer people. I take a stack with me everywhere, it seems. I go to the really good record stores and coffee shops and handout flyers. It's a great way to meet people, a good conversation starter. The only way to ensure people will go, it seems, is to sit down and really talk with them...
You're in the midst of planning a feminist conference and art show. Describe your planning process:
The planning is basically divided among willing groups of people. There's a group working on the art extravaganza and another working on the conference...The biggest and ever present issue is where to have the conference. Right now, we're planning to hold it in a giant community center, as it is one of the only places that allows groups to meet for free, but that might change by September. They're rather apprehensive about a group of 17-year olds booking their room, so it's really up in the air right now.
How does this affect your community at large?
There is a huge need to connect, to show that not every member of this generation is apathetic. The whole point of this is to connect with people, to talk, learn, create, whatever.
