Let's Talk About Sex: The SisterSong Conference
Chela Élan Counts, 16
Georgia
Project South is a nonprofit organization that provides space for people to come together, get organized, and become better acquainted with what's
really going on in the world. The organization provides political and economic education to build grassroots leaders for a stronger movement for
social and economic justice. Recently, Project South helped bring the first U.S.-based Social Forum to Atlanta, Georgia. This forum included an
opening day march, youth parties, and over 900 workshops with topics ranging from helping indigenous people*, locating family members (people from
Louisiana trying to get in touch with lost loved ones), and much more.
Chela Counts is a member of the Project South Youth Council, a team of 8-10 youth leaders that travels to different states around the U.S.
(including Louisiana, Tennessee, New York, and California) talking with other youth about the issues they face and how they can come together
collectively to find solutions. Chela attended the recent SisterSong Conference and she shared her experience with Teen Voices.
What do you know about sex? I recently traveled to Chicago, Illinois to attend a special conference to learn more about that very subject.
An organization called SisterSong planned this three-day conference called ³Let's Talk about Sex² for women of all colors and ages.
It included workshops that addressed issues about sex, women's bodies, and reproductive justice.
When I first stepped foot into the office of SisterSong's Reproductive Justice Center, I had no idea what to expect, but I knew I was in for
a treat. During the conference, I was able to relax, focus, and truly learn about reproductive justice. I had the chance to decide whether
I stood for it, and, if I did, how I could become involved in the movement and encourage my peers to join.
During the day, participants attended workshops that taught us about sex and our bodies. The coordinators distinguished between the facts
and the myths surrounding sex, and they answered any questions that we had. I learned that, according to SisterSong, reproductive justice
can and will be achieved when women and girls of all colors have the economic, social, and political power to make healthy decisions about
their bodies for themselves. Then, at night, we all loosened up and enjoyed some fun ice-breaker games.
Chela Counts and Youth Planning Committee for the SisterSong Conference.
I had the opportunity to attend many workshops that the SisterSong conference offered. These workshops included "The Impact of State
Restrictions on Abortion Access," "Building Healthy Sex Esteem for Youth," and "Young Mothers Speakout! Stories from Young Mothers
Organizing in the South Bronx."
A group called Sistas on the Rise facilitated one workshop that particularly stands out in my mind. Sistas on the Rise, an organization
for young women ages 13 to 21, seeks to build sisterhood between young women who have children and those who do not. The young women in
this group were of African American, Dominican, and Latino descent and they are all teen mothers. They have stayed in school, continued
their education, and mentored others who need help. As part of their workshop, they talked about the issues that teen mothers face on an
everyday basis and provided a fresh perspective on birthing and parenting at a young age.
I was sad when the conference was brought to an end, but by then I felt much more confident about my body. Also, I felt empowered and
energized by what I learned in those three days with SisterSong. Going back home, I knew that I had to share what I learned with my family,
friends, and youth council members. I left knowing that if I ever have a question that needs to be answered, I should not be afraid to ask
a parent, and if they don't know the answer, I should ask someone that is educated in that area for more information. When all was said and
done, I had a blast at the conference and learned a lot more than what I anticipated. From my experiences there, I will continue to spread
knowledge about reproductive justice and take the time to educate my peers.
*Indigenous: a group of people who originated in a certain area; for example, Native Americans are indigenous to North America.
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