The National Organization for Women will hold their annual state conference Saturday.
Under the theme "Everyday Activism," the conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., followed by an auction from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. It will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 4800 W. Bradford Drive.
"It's the idea of being able to do something no matter where you are, no matter if you are the only one who believes in a certain issue," conference co-chair Sue Errington said. "Whether you are in a town or you are in a city, with an organization like NOW you can work with how to act on your principles."
The conference features four workshops and several smaller sessions. Workshop topics include the same-sex marriage amendment and reproductive health. Planned Parenthood is sponsoring a workshop on sexual education. Author Michael Stevenson will speak about his book "Everyday Activism."
Local NOW vice-president Katie Johnson also said they are hoping to arrange a book signing with Stevenson, whose book sparked the conference's theme.
NOW Executive Vice-President Olga Vives will give the keynote speech. Johnson, who is also a Ball State graduate assistant, said the speech "A Red Nation on Not, Strategies for Living in a Red State" will be about living in a mostly republican state and how to survive being a minority.
The conference is being run by the local NOW organization, but the auction is sponsored by the NOW political action committee. Johnson said it will include vintage NOW items such as posters and books, food and gift certificates.
Registration for the conference is $50, but Ball State students only pay $10. NOW members may also receive need-based discounts, Errington said.
"We felt it was very important for young people to participate in something like this about issues that will affect them now and also when they get out of school," Errington said. "This is the next generation of people who are going to be following in the footsteps of people like me. We want to make sure they have the opportunity to work on issues."
There are currently 60 people registered for the conference, but Johnson said she is expecting at least 70. The registration fee includes the workshops and lunch. The auction is free. Johnson encourages Ball State students to attend because of the topics covered at the conference.
"I think it raises awareness of issues that Ball State students would have an interest in, issues like the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered workshop and access to health care," Johnson said. "Especially for younger women, it is a great way to empower women just out in the world. It will give them tools to use their voices in powerful ways."
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