Just over a year ago I traveled to India for work.  Our offices were located just outside of Bangalore and the hotel I stayed at was just down the street.  It was pretty easy to get around.  All I had to do was get in a car that was waiting for me and go from hotel to office and back again.  That was part of my problem.  From reading this blog you know that I do a lot of outside exercise.  The back and forth from one artificial environment to the other was making me claustrophobic and just a little more than a little crazy.  At one point I’d had it and I went to the desk to ask them if it was okay if I ran up the road (it was a big loooooonnnnnngggg road) for 2  miles and back.  Just 2 miles and back.  I’m sure I’d make friends with a few street dogs along the way but dogs like me so that was cool.  “Oooooh NO ma’am,” was the answer.  It was said with such certainty and a dash of “are you off your rocker” attitude that I didn’t even question it and instead slowly shuffled off to the hotel’s tiny smelly gym.  Based on recent news stories out of India about gang rape victims I suppose I should send the hotel a gift basket.

Honestly my personal relationship with violence against women is non-existent.  I was lucky to grow up in an atmosphere where women are equal, not possessions, and sometimes even a tad bit smarter than the male sex (wink).  Still, I realize this isn’t true of all countries, of all families, and of all people.

Feb. 14th has been designated the day for one billion to rise up against violence against women ( http://www.onebillionrising.org/).  One Billion Rising is an event led by V-Day, a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls founded by Eve Ensler (author of the Vagina Monologues).  According to the web site:

“The concept of the campaign [One Billion Rising] is simple. If you take into account the statistic that 1 out of 3 women will experience violence in her lifetime, you are left with the staggering statistic that over 1 billion women on this planet will be impacted by violence. On V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, 2.14.13, we are inviting ONE BILLION women and those who love them to WALK OUT, DANCE, RISE UP, and DEMAND an end to this violence. V-Day wants the world to see our collective strength, our numbers, our solidarity across borders.”

I plan to take part in the event and would love if you would as well.  Visit the event web site to search gatherings that are happening locally.  The movement is global but if there isn’t an event close you can learn the dance to Break the Chain and jump out of your chair midday for a solo dance party! (Video of song with dance is embedded below.  You can also find a how-to video online where Debbie Allen will break it down for you.)

Woman freakin’ rock — and rock hard!

(First set of pictures is of some of my favorite ladies dancing, just because it is fun, in Bangalore.  Second set of pictures is of some of my favorite ladies dancing at Dee Dee’s bachelorette party in downtown LA.)