Just Do It

Generation Collaboration

by Amy Strauss

Sat., April 5, 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m., free, Penn Women's Center, 3643 Locust Walk, 215-546-4890, sisterspace.org

Your mom's worn copy of The Feminine Mystique doesn't have a whole lot in common with your Bikini Kill playlist — at least not on the surface. When 20 years or so gets in the way, communication between like-minded women can be difficult. In order to bridge the generational gap between feminists, SisterSpace, a citywide women's organization, is hosting a networking forum.

"It was time to reach out to the new generation of women," says Jordan Pascucci, president of SisterSpace. "Women in activism is an old interaction, and with younger women recently involved, we're looking to move forward together through powerful discussion that'll shape the future." The afternoon of girl talk will be divided into three sessions: a mixed-generation conversation on activism, politics and spirituality; an age-separated chat on decade-specific stereotypes; and a concluding discussion on the causes of negative energy between age groups. Ultimately, SisterSpace hopes the day inspires many get-togethers that break down images of burning bras and other age-old, feminist cliches. "The forum is basically an introductory session to start future dialogue and become openly comfortable with one another without passing any judgment," says Pascucci.