Two East End Organizations Partnering To Host Hamptons One Billion Rising

On Sunday, February 14th, The Neo-Political Cowgirls, a women’s dance theatre company, and The Retreat, the East End’s only domestic violence agency, are joining forces to present a local One Billion Rising event as part of the global call to stop violence against women and girls.

Taking place at Guild Hall in East Hampton, the event is open to all, from singers to performers to poets to writers, as well as those not directly involved in the arts. Attendees will support the call by rising through dance, written word, and songs to show encouragement for the community and commemorate that together, it is possible to defeat violence.

“The Neo-Political Cowgirls are always proud to partner with The Retreat to bring creativity to the forefront as a method for changing the world, confronting demons and brightening the future for our community,” said Kate Mueth, Founder of the Neo-Political Cowgirls, who organizes the dance.

One Billion Rising launched on Valentine’s Day 2012. The annual campaign started as a call to action established because of the astonishing statistic that 1 in 3 women (which totals one billion women and girls worldwide) will be either beaten or raped during her lifetime. The event was created to bring together people from across the world to express their disappointment, strike, dance, and rise in defiance of the inequalities that women suffer and to demand a halt of the violence.

“One Billion Rising is a powerful campaign that motivates us to work harder to prevent and end violence against women, not only on the East End of Long Island, but throughout the world,” added Loretta K. Davis, Executive Director at The Retreat.

In 2015, the theme shifted to support a “rise for revolution” to alter the paradigm, request liability, justice and efficient change. 2016’s Rising will also support the call for revolution, with a focus on marginalized women and bringing national and international attention to their issues.

One Billion Rising at Guild Hall will take place from 3 to 5 p.m.

Guild Hall is located at 158 Main Street in East Hampton. For more information, visit www.guildhall.org.