The Bridge Project

Bridging Generations of the American Women's Movement

The Bridge Project, of the Veteran Feminists of America, offers feminists the opportunity to meet people of different generations, develop relationships and establish true lineage in American Feminism. The Bridge Project is open to members of the VFA. Members can submit an application to the Bridge Project Committee who will help match interests, identify pairs and send invitations to the two feminists.

The relationship is as strong or light as the partners define. Exchanging ideas, values, talents and skills. These matches can enrich the lives of all who participate; neither partner doing more or less, each contributing their best with as much or as little as they mutually agree. The hope is that matching intersecting pairs will create continuity, community and intergenerational communication.

The Bridge Project goes to Rollins College ~ October 2011

The Bridge Project went live just four months ago. As of November 1st we have 17 matches with many more in the works. A lot of conversations, planning, and heart went into the origins of this little project we hold so near and dear.

Very little has happened as I expected since we made our first match. Several of the initial applications we received were from veteran feminists, which completely took me by surprise. I had just assumed the bulk of interest would come from rising feminists, which I suppose is a product of all too often thinking of cross-generational relationships as unidirectional (and precisely why we avoided using the terms "mentor" and "mentee"). It was exciting to see veterans get it - that they had as much to gain as we risings do from building bridges. I have also been struck by the amazing individuals already a part of the the Bridge Project family. And time and again, I am in awe of just how fitting our matches are - just look at Monique and June on our match page to see what I mean!

On Halloween weekend we four committee members made our way to Rollins college for a few days of feminist magic. In addition to the wonderful presentations of oral history projects, a panel featuring Pat Schroeder and Gloria Steinem facilitated by Muriel Fox, and performance by the Guerrilla Girls, this was the first big feminist setting in which we all got to be together in speaking about the the Bridge Project. At our table, over lunch, in line, seated and waiting for a show to begin - each moment offered us a space to talk with others about building bridges. The response was dazzling. Whether 18 or 80, the project just clicked with the individuals around us. One student asked for a handful of postcards to take back to her campus NOW chapter. A couple of rising feminists stood and spoke with us for an hour about feminist dreams and all that this project might offer. And all through the weekend, veteran feminists met risings who showed them that in bridge matches, both parties learn and both parties teach.

Bridging is about sisterhood, about fun, about passion and compassion. Who are you meant to know? What have you always wanted to learn about the women's liberation movement? What issue sets your heart afire? Spending time with my own match, and seeing other bridge partners together sharing talk and laughter, reinforced what a treat it is to reach across those artificial boundaries of age and time to realize that sisterhood is transcendent, if only we take the time to listen and learn.

Chelsea Del Rio, Bridge Project Committee member, Nov 1, 2011

In Service to The Bridge Project

To know my feminist heroes, to carry on their legacy, and to inspire the activism of a new generation...this is why I am in service to The Bridge Project.

To have an authentic, personal connection to the women who have secured my rights in American society is an honor and a blessing. I have wished for this possibility my whole life; the Bridge Project makes it so.

To magnify the legacy of Pioneer Veteran Feminists is my small token of gratitude for their many years of hard work on behalf of American women. The Bridge Project illuminates the work our Pioneer Veteran Feminists have undertaken for women's freedom and equality.

To connect a new generation of feminist leaders to our Pioneer Veteran Feminists, our inspiration, is a priceless, treasured opportunity. The Bridge Project creates a lifeline to the knowledge, motivation, and courage necessary for the fight for women's rights to continue.

Lindsey Horvath, Bridge Project Committee member

Envisioning an Intergenerational Feminist Sisterhood

Dear Veteran Feminist sisters,

You are the reason I am a feminist. I honor the pioneering work you have done, your continued activism after decades of political ebb and flow, the history you represent, all of the rights I have because of you. I met you at 19 as I studied women's history and activism. It is because of you that I ran out and joined the local NOW chapter and fell in love with feminism. My strength and inspiration come from you. As my young feminist sisters and I became more immersed in the movement we craved connection with our veteran sisters; in some cases it took years to make such relationships work. Our differences in perspective, political issues, life stages, and approaches to activism can make these connections difficult, but ultimately, our commitment to feminism draws us together again and again.

Working alongside feminists of different generations has given me the opportunity to learn from the wisdom of others while also building my confidence in what I have to offer on my own terms. I am fortunate enough to have experienced the best of what intergenerational feminist friendships can offer me, the new veteran, and you, the pioneer - support, admiration, knowledge, fresh perspective, institutional history, a safety net, a sympathetic ear, a better understanding of the movement and our place in it. Let us share burdens, resources, joys, victories. Imagine the thrill of uniting our perspectives to build women's rights. Together, we can demonstrate the power of such partnerships and reveal the potential that is our future as a feminist movement.

Chelsea Del Rio, Bridge Project Committee member

A Dream Come True

Imagine the thrill of meeting one of your heroes. Better yet, imagine sharing and being friends with someone you have read about, heard about, bonding in common interests and degrees of passionate purpose, finding a person who reaches across generations is a dream come true. I know because it has happened to me. June 1, 2003 I got an email from Barbara Love, whose book I had read, underlined and treasured. This relationship changed my life so profoundly that I have wanted to make sure this opportunity is open to you.

Many times I have sat in the balcony watching people I admire on the other side of the theater. I wished I could sit next to Sally Miller Gearhart. I wanted to meet Kate Millet. I dreamt of writing to Riane Eisler. I wanted to meet Jessica Valenti, march with young women to Take Back the Night, blog with new feminists on pop culture, understand the language of young feminists and share in the feminist issues of the Twenty-First Century.

It was a life changer for me and I hope that the Veteran Feminists of America Bridge Project can make that happen for you.

Zoe Nicholson, Bridge Project Committee member