Parenting, Gender Expansiveness, Allyship and Community.
Gratitude to all who came out! Parenting, Gender Expansiveness, Allyship and Community.
“Sometimes your children will be on a path that you have no reference point for, yet still you need to rise to the occasion and join them on that path. ”
From an early age, Jodie Patterson’s child, Penelope, self-identified as a boy. In an interview with Mother magazine, Jodie recounted how she not only rose to the challenge, but how she also went above and beyond by becoming an advocate for all transgender children. Her allyship runs the gamut from conversations within her home and community to work as chair of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation Board.
Special Event Recap: Jodie Patterson in conversation with Dr. Aisha Mays.
Over 60 people made it out to our utterly transformed Brightworks library to welcome Dr. Aisha Mays and Jodie Patterson to Brightworks on February 22. The intimate conversation covered identity, community, and love – all themes from Jodie’s book, The Bold World, which was inspired by her love of family, her parenting journey, and raising her transgender son, who at 3 years old said, “Mom, I don’t feel like a boy; I am a boy!”
Dr. Mays and Ms. Patterson shared a rich discussion of gender, race, and authenticity while reflecting on Jodie’s family's history and transformation. We learned about her children, who have acted as a vehicle for her growth and acceptance of her diverse family, and her experiences as a wife, mother, and, eventually, activist. It was powerful to learn about Patterson's relentless drive to change the world. This message resonated deeply and was inspirational to the room full of parents, educators, and students, alike.
We are deeply grateful to Dr. Mays and Jodie for sharing their time with us. What a gift it was to have this powerful opportunity to reflect on our individual strengths and tenacity, our very real fears, and, most of all, our singular ability to transform despite the odds. Learn more about the work Dr. Aisha Mays does at the Dream Youth Clinic here. Check out The Bold World, from SF Public Library, or pick up your copy at Black Bird Bookstore. You may also see the video that Jodie shared on 2/22 here {caveat, there are things she thinks differently about now}.
The Power and Privilege team would like to thank Lisa Nowell for her support with fliers and communications, along with Annette Munkeby Lee who voluntarily manages our social media. We give a big warm shoutout to Tina Blas and Brooke Raymond for handling the planning, purchasing, and preparation of food for the evening; wasn't it an amazing spread?
We appreciate Chantelle Fortin McKee, along with students Jennie Bennett, Ronin Liu, Octavio Rodriquez Leon, and Linnea Munkeby Lee, for food setup support, along with being our program distribution and welcoming committee. Gratitude also goes to Iris McKee for handling ticketing and welcoming folks to BWX. Lucy Rubenstein, Phoebe Pringle, and Arson Bratton were essential in providing safe and loving childcare. Thank you to all of Obsidian for helping with setup and teardown.
Alex Offinger, Naomi Hyun, and Aiden Krempetz, you were all instrumental in many logistical aspects and your overall manner of saying “Yes, we got it!” to all the last-minute day-of needs. Finally, Qi Lopez Diaz, thank you for the lovely gift you made for our keynote speaker and the warm welcome you gave our guests.
It was wonderful to have ImpactSF support the audio and lighting, and Mom’s Chairs for our chairs, and we are ever grateful to Blackbird Books for managing our book order.
With warmth,
Michlene + Power & Privilege Team