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SOUTH AFRICAN .WOMEN'S . DAY

AUGUST 9, 1956•78 SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN'S DAY

As early as 1913, women marched and burned passbooks in protest of the much hated pass law system in . On August 9, 1956, 20,000 women of all races assembled in Pretoria despite tremendous intimidation. The women stood in complete silence for thirty minutes, then began to sing a new freedom song; . "Now you have touched the women,' you have struck a root, you have dislodged a boulder, you will be crushed." South African Women's Day, a massive response by women in opposition to the South African government, has become a symbol of unity and action for people against . In celebrating this day, we are also affirming our own strength to continue our struggle for justice here at home.

PROGRAM

1:00 pm African drumming and dancing African fashions

1:30 pm Introduction Biography of Florence Matomela July 26 Choreopoets

2:00 pm Biography of Winnie Mandela Poem by Zindzi Mandela Third World Women in the U.S. Poem on Harriet Tubman

2:30 pm Gwir.'"'\.i, four women playing traditional Zimbabwean instruments

3:00 pm Biographical sketch of Lillian Ngoyi

3:45 pm Workshops at Langston Hughes Center, 17th and Yesler

4:45 Conclusion LANGSTON HUGHES THEATRE WORKSHOPS

--Krugerrand Campaign. Includes slide show on South Africa and U.S. global corporations. Will focus on the importance of gold in the South African economy and the work being done in Seattle around banning the sale of the gold coin minted by the South African government.

--Bank loans campaign. Includes a slide show, "Bank­ ing on South Africa. Will focus on the role of U.S. banks which loan money in South Africa.

--Black consciousness and awareness. Will deal with the Black consciousness movement in South Africa and the United States. A slide show, "South Africa: Freedom R~sing," will be shown.

--v.W. Divestment campaign. Will talk about activi­ ties on the university campus working toward divest­ ment. The slide show, "South Africa: Freedom Rising." will be shown. JOIN HANDS TO BREAK THE LINKS SPONSORS: OW Black Studies Dept, OW Women's Commission,Third Wolrd Coalition,AFSC-Southern Africa Summer, Lan9ston Hughes Cultural Center. Endorsements: Radical Women, Health Activists Alliance, Rev. WID. Cate,Guardian Club of Sea., Yvonne Wanrow Defense, University YWCA