Well, it's now over a month since BOLD 2006 ended. Did BOLD really have over 40 performances in 4 days...in our first year? We sure did!
Our next big BOLD step is to secure funding so BOLD not only talks the walk, but walks the talk (ie, if we don't take care of ourselves then we can't be centered and confident that our message rocks). So the next few months we'll be searching for funding to support our operating budget and special projects. We're looking for grants, but also "companies who rock" that wish to support our cause. We know they're out there! If you have any suggestions please send BOLD an email!
One project that I'm hoping to fund soon is the "My Body Rocks" BOLD College Campaign. At many of the BOLD talkbacks this year people begged us to take BOLD to college campuses to educate and tell the truth about birth so college students know, hopefully before they have a baby, the politics of giving birth and how to get a powerful birth. Hopefully very soon we can make this happen!
Our BOLD Book Club also has aspirations of being the "Oprah" of childbirth Book Clubs. Wouldn't it be great to get pregnant women reading Ina May's book, discussing it online with her and then videotape a gathering of women to meet Ina May and chat about her book? We think this is possible. Right now our book club is having a wonderful conversation about Ami McKay's book, The Birth House. Readers can't believe how this book is such a strong contribution to birth as well as fiction.
I'm also dreaming every day of next year, BOLD 2007. The performances of Birth are going to be spectacular and the talkbacks are going to be hip, informative and straightalking about birth. We're also going to add another way to participate in BOLD called "Red Tent: Tell the Truth" events (locations can do it in addition to a performance or instead of a performance). I couldn't resist starting Red Tent events after BOLD's very successful "Bagels and Birthstories" event on Labor Day weekend at the Red Tent Women's Project in Brooklyn. Intimate and deeply passionate, a packed room gathered in Brooklyn, New York under a "red tent" to share the truth about birth in the New York area. We slotted in 2 hours for the event and it last almost four. As I walked out I thought: this must be done again. Our birth stories are too powerful, too important to let them only live inside of us. My vision is that all over the world next year, for BOLD 2007, people will gather to hear women tell their birth stories. No judgement, no shame, no blame. It's time we tell the truth together, as a global community.
Starting the Red Tent events is also my attempt to give countries an opportunity to be a part of BOLD, what we stand for, if they feel the play doesn't work in their cultural context. I know in Austin, Texas they already definitely plan to do the play AND a Red Tent event. Check the website next month for more details!
Well, my kids are sound asleep, the heavy rain today has stopped and we're going pumpkin and apple picking tomorrow with my cousin and her daughters. Hope all of you are spending time connecting with your family, yourself and (if you live in the northeast) enjoying the leaves changing colors!
Karen
