Feminist Friday Funday: DC opportunities!

Good evening, feminists! It's a balmy 85 degrees in Washington, and the rain clouds have temporarily parted.

The District is one of the greatest cities in the world. It is riddled with poverty, cocaine, crime, a broken school system, rampant political disenfranchisement, and an HIV/AIDS epidemic comparable to sub-Saharan Africa. It contains the most powerful government on the planet, powerful advocacy organizations, a thriving academic community, and the most delicious burgers I've ever experienced.

I love Washington.

We're attracted to its power, its opportunities, its chili cheese half smokes. Washington gives so much, and it deserves some TLC in return.

So that brings us to today's word: public service.

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) is seeking a DC high school junior to serve as a House page in her office this fall. According to the application, the deadline to apply is Monday, July 13. If you know young women who would be good candidates, encourage them to apply ASAP!

The "Gender and Justice: An International Inquiry" conference will be held June 14-16 at American University's Washington College of Law. The WCL's Women and International Law Program is co-sponsoring the program, which is open to the DC community and free for AU and WCL students.

National HIV Testing Day is Saturday, June 27. An estimated 1 in 20 DC residents is HIV-positive, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classifies as an epidemic. To counter the spread of HIV, the DC Department of Health HIV/AIDS Administration distributes free condoms to local health and community organizations.

If you are in a student organization at a DC college, please take advantage of this program and distribute condoms on campus. Condoms are expensive, and are sometimes difficult to access at your local drugstore. Online retailers are another cost-effective way to purchase bulk condoms for distribution on campus.

Have a great weekend and see you next week!