Our first event will bring together women of the Scheherazade Project to tell at least one story per night in any form (words, dance, music). (Online storytellers and gatherings in other communities also welcomed!). We begin on July 25, 2020—101 American nights before we all go to the polls to finalize with our vote what we will have begun with our storytelling arts.
The Scheherazade Project’s 2020 “101 Nights” event is the beginning of a movement. The organization will promote women’s activism through art for generations to come as we entertain, delight, enlighten, and promote social justice at the doors of Presidents and Prime Ministers, Governors and Legislators, Mayors and University Presidents across the nation and around the world.
A letter from Co-Founder, Julia Alvarez:The Scheherazade Project takes its model and inspiration from the storyteller and activist, Scheherazade of The Arabian Nights. For those not acquainted with this classic from the Arab world, The 1001 Nights collects the stories told by a young woman who is living in a kingdom ruled by a cruel and misogynist sultan. Every night a girl is brought to him and put to death at dawn.
Scheherazade hides out in her father’s library, reading his many books, learning all the stories. Not satisfied with her own safety and privilege, Scheherazade volunteers to go into the sultan's quarters. She takes her sister Dunyazad along. That first night, Dunyazad requests that Scheherazade tell the sultan one of her wonderful tales. The sultan is delighted by the story and asks for another one. As the sun is coming up, Scheherazade is still mid- tale. The sultan spares her so she can finish her story the next night. Read More
And so it goes, each night, Scheherazade finishes one tale and begins another. After 1001 nights, the sultan is smitten with love and repents his evil ways. Scheherazade has succeeded in saving, not just herself, but all the women in her kingdom as well as transforming the sultan into a good man and enlightened ruler, through her storytelling. We, the women artists-activists of the Scheherazade Project, have volunteered to tell a story in any form (words, dance, music). Originally, these were meant to be live performances in front of the White House, but because of the pandemic the project is now an online, nightly event. Each night, beginning on July 25th, an artist activist will tell a story. (Online storytellers and gatherings in other communities are also welcomed to join us each night!) For 101 American Nights, until November 2, the eve of election day, we will use our arts to playfully, fiercely, creatively, lovingly call attention to the dire situation in our kingdom, its violence toward women, people of color, the undocumented, Mother Earth, weaker nations unable to protect themselves against the rampage and raping of their resources and people. We are inspired by the Civil Rights movement, the climate movements, the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements. We have no hopes of transforming this president’s heart, but our performances are not for him but for us: we, the people. As we approach the next election, we must not sit back, ensconced in whatever safe and privileged version of our “father’s library' we have. We must mobilize and think outside the box (this project as one example) so that we protect, love and therefore save our kingdom and affirm the values we hold dear. We must not be deterred by the strong currents of the status quo, the worn ruts of divisive rhetoric and thinking. Together we can create a groundswell of creative expression to carry us forward, ever closer to the beloved community we must become if we are to survive in this hurting nation and ravaged planet. |
Our Mission
ARTIVISM: The Scheherazade Project is an activism through arts movement. It uses the power of art, creativity, solidarity, and courage in promoting social justice, nourishing our spirits, and enabling a more beloved community.
Our Staff
Abi ColemanDigital Media Production Intern, Fall 2020
Abi Cole is a Digital Media Production Assistant at the Scheherazade Project. She is a junior at The George Washington University studying journalism. Her art form is documentary filmmaking, and she made this short film during an internship with Persistent Productions. The film, Between the Lines: Liz at Large, is centered on cartoonist Liz Montague. |
Maggie D’AmaroSocial Media & Analytics Intern, Fall 2020
Maggie is a senior at Syracuse University! While studying Economics with a business minor, she hopes to gear her degree towards the corruption that surrounds socioeconomic, sexism, and systemic racism. As for her experience with service, she is a brother in the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. She is also a board member for the largest audition-based dance company on campus, Dance Works. Lastly, she is a Transfer Transition Leader; she takes care of mentoring transfer students throughout the school year, speak on panels to answer questions, and organize orientation events to integrate new students. With a background of dance, journalism, and painting, storytelling is her truest form of expression. |
Emily GoldmanSocial Media & Marketing Intern, Summer 2020
Emily was attracted to The Scheherazade Project because it incorporates art in women’s activism, which she finds to be a unique combination. She’s inspired by creativity, which is why she is a University Innovation Fellow at Bucknell and focuses her studies on art and innovation. She’s interested in all forms of art, including drawing, painting, studio art and jewelry making, and hopes to incorporate these interests in her future career. Emily has worked with nonprofits in the past, and is excited to see this organization grow. She is passionate about pursuing art in a way that can inspire others and The Scherhazade Project is the perfect way for her to do so. |
Olivia TripodiSocial Media & Marketing Intern, Summer 2020
As a journalism student, storytelling is in her nature, and she looks forward to discovering other forms of storytelling through art. In addition to interning with TSP this summer, Olivia will complete a business school certification while training for her senior year soccer season. She is on the Board of Directors for Street Soccer RVA, where she is able to share her passion for soccer with disadvantaged youth. She loves to tap into her creative side by painting and dreaming of owning her own business one day. Olivia has always had a great appreciation for art and is excited to spend her summer learning more about activism through this medium. |
Board of Directors
Julia Alvarez
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Lisa Leibow
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Organizer Bios
More details coming soon!
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