Well friends, you’ve done it, you’ve made it to Friday! Woot-woot! Anyone have any special plans? I’m going to a mystery dinner on Saturday night, which I think I might write about for next week. (Gives you something to look forward to.) You know, it’s funny that every week I worry that I’m not going to have anything to write about, and then Fresno just goes and drops an amazing event right into my lap. 🙂
I know that there are a few exciting things to do this weekend. The Civil War Revisited is happening out at Kearney Park. It’s also the weekend for Zappcon, which I wrote about here. Maybe there is a new movie out that you’d love to see. (Hello, Nicholas Sparks lovers.) Then there will be those who will probably be celebrating a sports game or two. 😉 Suffice to say, there’s a lot going on this weekend. Before going wild at one of these events, I suggest heading to Fresno State Friday (that’s tonight) to watch a movie or two. Yes, you heard me correctly, a movie at Fresno State. 🙂
Friday night is the Lunafest.
The Lunafest is an annual movie festival with proceeds benefiting the Breast Cancer Fund, as well as Fresno State’s Women’s Resource Center. The Fresno Lunafest was started over 10 years ago when a woman named Carla Jo Dakin approached Dr. Francine Oputa. At the time Dr. Oputa was the coordinator of the Women’s Resource Center. Carla Jo Dakin wanted to bring this national film festival to Fresno State. The films are “By…For…About Women.” In 2006 Carlo Jo Dakin passed away after battling breast cancer. Now, every year, the Lunafest is held in honor of her. I’ve known way too many women who have been affected by breast cancer, and this is a wonderful opportunity to honor or support those people.
The Lunafest is also “empowering women through short films.” What a great opportunity to shine the light on what the Women’s Resource Center offers the students of Fresno State. This short film addresses some of what the center has to offer.
The Women’s Resource Center is also a confidential reporting space on campus. This means victims of violence/assault/harassment can meet with someone and not have to worry about their incidents being reported to other offices, or outside organizations if they choose not to. This is very important and empowering for women, and men as well. Far too often people are stuck in a situation where they want help. Maybe not help to fix the problem, but instead just someone to listen and support them. Sometimes all someone needs is a place to go where they feel safe. I cannot stress enough the importance of this.
When I was a student at Fresno State, I would go to the Women’s Resource Center to pump. I was a new mom who breastfed my daughter, yet I was still a student. For a while I would pump in my car, until one day someone told me about the Women’s Resource Center. I’m so happy that person told me! When I went in I was offered a room where I could be alone, take my time, and pump milk for my child. Never once did I feel weird being in there. In fact, I was treated with kindness and everyone was willing to help. What a wonderful resource available to students!
The Women’s Resource Center is bringing the student’s of Fresno State together, it’s creating a community. If you happen to be free Friday evening, please show your support of such an amazing resource, as well as honor a person who fought breast cancer.
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