JoAnn - Reflections on New Orleans

V-Day New Orleans was more then I had bargained for. The 2 day gathering was to be the 10th year celebration of "Ending Violence Against Women", and to bring" Super Love To The Superdome."

Our trip to New Orleans started early. At 12:30 Fri. morning, an eager and motley crew of 50 women, one 3 year old daughter and one faithful new-age kind of guy, boarded a well integrated bus in Atlanta for the eight hour drive to New Orleans. Twelve of the ladies were professional makeup artists, who were there to pamper and nurture the survivors of the Katrina catastrophe with their special skills and expertise.

The rest of us were (I believe, though I didn't get to talk with each of them), going to learn about what others were doing to empower women and to contribute our time and energy to the cause. There were some stars there giving speeches, like Suzie Orman, Jane Fonda and Eve Ensler. Oprah was supposed to be there but she was too sick to attend.

Many of us tried to sleep on the bus, but there was too much nervous energy to sleep for very long. When we arrived at the hotel at 8:30, they weren't really ready for us. Checkout time for the existing guests was not till 11:00. So after a quick buffet breakfast, our little group decided to help the makeup artists set up for the day.

The biggest shock was the size of this Superdome and the feeling of doom within its circumference. It was huge in all its dimensions. Just in walking through the Superdome one could not help but feel the dark, heavy sadness that still hung in the dense, air conditioned space. Our little troupe marched through like love warriors on a mission, makeup cases, lights and mirrors in hand. How could we possibly make a difference in a place this big that had held so much fear, anguish and distrust?

Friday, the first day, felt chaotic. There were many wonderful speakers, but they were lined up one right after the other. It was too much to absorb. No down time to integrate all that was being said.

The Authentic Beauty coordinator from Atlanta, Alyson, had prepped her team to be aware that they would be on their feet all day standing in service to the victims of the Katrina disaster. One could see the difference in the degree of aliveness in the women's eyes and the smiles they wore on their faces as they left the area. Shari and I took turns handing out affirmation cards and giving hugs to these lovely ladies as they left for the big auditorium.

By late Saturday morning, we all felt a shift. Something had changed. Things were flowing better, anxious anxieties had faded away. We somehow felt safer, more cherished, and more whole. I found it easier to be present in the big auditorium with the thousands of others and the speakers were easier to hear. That night we enjoyed the performance of "The Vagina Monologues", with its many star studded cast.

Eve Ensler said that New Orleans was metaphorically like the vagina of the U.S.; musically alive, jazzy, passionate, moist wetlands that were taken for granted, abused, neglected, and disregarded after Katrina.

I could see this and all the devastation and waste, and yet, as I looked into eyes of the women who were there and saw their strength, courage and fortitude, I was lifted and inspired by their spirit. It was those women who made the journey for me completely worthwhile and totally rewarding. I was gifted by them and I am grateful.