For those of you just joining us, we’re about to engage in another eight week experiment with 12 women from all over the country (and the world for that matter).  It’s the Moxie Project, version 3.0.

For the last two years, we’ve partnered with DukeEngage to recruit a cohort of Duke students up for joining in the mix of the current women’s movement. They have the opportunity to consider first hand how feminism works (or doesn’t) within the practice of current-day policy, to develop valuable historical context for the public policy challenges facing their generation, and to reflect on the ethics of sustaining political commitments and seeking social justice. Students are placed singly or in small groups to work 35 hours/wk in local or national organizations serving women or girls in New York City.  While some students work on policy issues that impact domestic workers, sexual assault survivors or women in non-traditional employment (trade industries), other students work with foundations that fund the work of advocacy organizations, and others work directly to change the influence of media and violence on the lives of women and girls.  Weekly reflection dinners, readings, guest speakers, and seminar discussions help students connect theory to practice and encourage the critical analysis of both.

Returning partners for this year include: Third Wave Foundation, Legal Momentum, Hollaback, Ms. Foundation,  Sanctuary for Families, and the Sadie Nash Leadership Project.  We also expanded the number of student this year and so added two new partners: Women’s Media Center and the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

Over the next week, you’ll be hearing from the moxies about their first week, their organizations and a bit about themselves.  We welcome your comments as we sally on!