Six Amazing Regional Events! 

Read all about our inspiring actions! 

CODEPINK's six regional activist trainings around the country gave inspiration, taught new skills, and provided support to hundreds of women for International Women's Day! We discussed current campaigns; practiced role plays, deep listening, and public speaking; shared emotions, music and laughter; created banners, decorative t-shirts, peace panels and other visuals; learned pink herstory from Medea Benjamin and her powerful slideshow; and prepared for "5 Years Too Many" actions later in March.

These trainings met needs of new and experienced CODEPINKers, brought us together with allies, and whetted our appetite for future trainings and gatherings. Many thanks to all who participated!

Click here for more report backs from NYC, DC, St. Louis, LA, the SF Bay Area, and Corvallis, Oregon.

Here are glimpses from around the country:

• St. Louis, MO: Training at Washington University organized by local coordinator Laurie; included workshops on media, peace art and action -- the last led by Medea Benjamin -- and concluded with an action at Senator McCaskill's district office. "I was really glad I was able to get up to St. Louis to take part in the various events the Local CODEPINK had planned in honor of International Women's Day." -- Midge Potts
  
  
• NYC, NY: Training at Columbia University organized by local coordinators Nancy and Dana in collaboration with student activists; 85-90 participants ranging in age from high school students to older women, from NJ, Long Island, Columbia and Barnard campuses and other NY locations; focus on performing arts and international perspectives; concluded with a successful fundraiser evening event of musical and spoken word performances.
  
  
• SF Bay Area, CA: Gathering of women in the Marin Headlands coordinated by Janet and Rae included music; the making of beautiful banners, t-shirts and peace panels for the Peace Ribbon Project; ceremony with Iraq Veteran Eli Painted Crow, workshops on cultural awareness, interviewing, direct action, and counter-recruitment; an inspiring talk by Medea Benjamin, and a talent show, campfire and sleepover -- segued into monthly Walk for Peace on the Golden Gate Bridge and the launch of a "Really Real Green Zone" encampment for peace and environmental health in Berkeley at the Marines Recruiting Station. See photos on Flickr!
  
  
• Corvallis, OR: After returning from a visit to the Pink House in DC, Michele was fired up to bring the CODEPINK spirit to her town in Oregon and organized this training which drew women from Portland, Salem, Eugene, Seattle, and Corvallis! 18 peace, justice and environmental organizations teamed up with CODEPINK in a very full weekend of trainings on various campaigns; childcare provided as well as meals from Food Not Bombs; a featured speaker was Sara Rich from Military Families Speak Out. CODEPINK Corvallis plans to open their own Pink House soon for ongoing activist retreats.
  
  
• Los Angeles, CA: CODEPINK cofounder Jodie Evans and local organizer Sarah organized this daylong training which was attended by mostly new-to-CODEPINK folks! Speakers included an Iranian woman, an IVAW spokeswoman; workshops included Activism 101, anti-oppression, using the internet, writing; finished with music and wisdom from singer/songwriter Holly Near.
  
  
• Washington, DC: This wonderful three day training at the Pink House organized by local coordinators Sarah, Ariel, Desiree, Gael, Ellen, and Liz, offered workshops including organizing, anti-oppression, gender, and participants also joined selected trainings at the 11th Annual National Conference on Organized Resistance (NCOR)

Missed This Year's Training Sessions? Check Out Our Online Resources!
Click here for ideas for training sessions, a sample schedule, trainer tips, and location and outreach ideas. 

You don't have to wait until the next International Women's Day to have an activist training camp in your city! Check out our recipe below and contact us for help setting up a workshop or daylong training.

Activist Training Camp Recipe

A home-grown favorite for local activists!

Creating a savory, exciting, fulfilling activist training camp is easy and fun!  You could plan a 3 hour gathering, a day-long retreat, or a weekend overnight with an action!  CODEPINK national organizers are here to help you every step of the way.  For help getting started, contact our grassroots coordinator, Rae at locals@codepinkalert.org.

Ingredients needed:

• CODEPINK activists
  
  
• Time on International Women's Day
  
  
• A friendly space
  
  
• Big helpings of ideas and imagination
  
  
• Large bowl of practical details
  
  
• Spicy pink sauce of humor and fun

Directions:

• Mix together thoroughly a team of 3 time-tested local activists who are committed to the local chapter and the causes of CODEPINK!
  
  
• Enthusiastically form a plan for the Activist Training Camp: goals, outline of training (welcome, workshops, art/talent show, etc.) and admin details.
  
  
• Select a space (home, community center, YMCA or YWCA) and a time (an afternoon, the day of March 8, or the whole weekend of March 8-9).(Optional)
  
  
• Fold in trainers or presenters from allied non-profit organizations, such as League of Young Voters, Veterans for Peace, the National Lawyers Guild, or the American Friends Service Committee.
  
  
• Cook up some tasty workshops on topics of interest to your group such as media, war tax resistance, outreach to new members, creating visuals, voter education, US-Iran relations,  Women for Peace in History ~ the possibilities are many!