Charlottesville NOW 

Freedom Hair is based on the inspiring true story of a young mother working at a shelter for battered women who decides to start a natural hair braiding business to achieve financial independence for herself and others. To do so Melony Armstrong must overcome unexpected obstacles imposed by a powerful cartel and the State of Mississippi. Free admission and refreshments, but must register. Front Auditorium at 540 Belvedere Blvd. Accessible, with plenty of free, accessible parking

Charlottesville NOW and the League of Women Voters of the Charlottesville Area host a Women’s Equality Day social to commemorate the women’s suffrage movement and to thank and recognize local activists and leaders who are carrying that legacy forward. Join us to be in community with grassroots friends and get inspired for the equity and justice work ahead! Complimentary appetizers—dinner options available for purchase. Cash bar. At Eastwood Farm and Winery (owned and operated by women), 2531 Scottsville Road, just outside of Charlottesville. Wednesday, August 27, 5:00 - 7:00 PM.  Wearing of purple or white and sashes is encouraged!

This chapter meeting will be all about us—NOW history, the year in review, and what's coming next. And it will include our biennial election of a board of directors, who will serve for the 2025-2027 term. Come meet the candidates, mingle with long-time NOW friends and make some new ones. Everyone welcome, but only members in good standing may vote for the incoming board. Refreshments. Northside Library, 705 Rio Road West has parking and is accessible.

For Earth Day Charlottesville NOW and Sierra Club Piedmont Group team up to provide practical solutions to save our environment at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, April 22 at Northside Library in Charlottesville. From landscape architect Martha Donnelly and a short video, learn how to restore nature and experience the joy of creating native habitat. Whether you have a single pot on a balcony or acres of land, you can be part of the Homegrown National Park movement that’s saving biodiversity in our yards. And hear an eye-opening talk by Kendl Kobbervig, Advocacy and Communications Director with Clean Virginia, the group working to advance clean government and clean energy by fighting utility monopoly corruption in Virginia politics.

Charlottesville NOW presents The Art of Resistance at McGuffey Art Center, featuring the work of artist and activist Dawn Hanson. Hanson expresses her political worldview in a less-than-subtle mixed media exhibition, “What’s Left? What’s Right?”—calling out the absurdity, corruption and injustice of current events in American politics. Designed to educate and to motivate people toward action, her thought-provoking works perfectly align with NOW’s core values and mission. Connect with NOW leaders, support C'ville NOW, and enjoy the artist talk, studio tour, and special guests at this after-hours special event. Friday, March 14 at McGuffey Art Center, 201 2nd St. NW, in downtown Charlottesville. If possible, arrive before McGuffey closes to the public at 6:00 PM, locking all but one door. Enjoy the Art Center on your own until 6:00 PM when The Art of Resistance program begins. Festive refreshments will be served.

Post national election, we turn our attention to the states. On February 4 the Cville NOW Chapter Program will focus on how laws get made in Virginia. Our guest speaker is Professor Craig Volden from the Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the Department of Politics at the University of Virginia. He also founded and co-directs the Center for Effective Lawmaking. The Center has compiled a massive database, the first of its kind, to measure the effectiveness of nearly every state legislator in the U.S. The data will help good governance partners such as Cville NOW as well as lawmakers. Our own state lawmaker, Delegate Amy Laufer, also joins us to share some legislative priorities for the 2025 General Assembly session. And she has a wonderful gift to present to Cville NOW. Don’t miss this informative and fun program!

Post-election party! Join C’ville NOW’s Friendsgiving celebration to debrief, de-stress and decompress together after the election. The festivities will begin at 6:30 PM, and some notable guests may stop by! Festive light refreshments will be provided. Don’t miss the fun! Northside Library, 705 Rio Rd. W., with accessible parking.

Cville NOW presents a FREE screening of My So-Called Selfish Life, an entertaining and thought-provoking documentary about one of the greatest social taboos: choosing not to be a mother. Drawing upon pop culture, science and history, the film showcases the rich diverse lives of people who say no to having kids and reveals the forces that marginalize them in society. Award-winning filmmaker, author and activist Therese Shechter deploys her characteristic wit and keen intellect to confront the entrenched assumption that motherhood is not only a biological imperative but the defining measure of womanhood. Entertaining, inspiring, and extremely timely, My So-Called Selfish Life questions the cultural narratives that shape our identities, and sparks a debate about who’s really in control of women's bodies and lives. Available in person at 6:30 PM on October 9 at Northside Library and available to stream Oct 10-24.

NOW is excited to cosponsor the Cville Sabroso Latin American/Hispanic culture festival, 1 - 10 PM Saturday, September 21 at the Ting Pavilion in Charlottesville. The non-stop live music, dance performances, artisan crafts, food and interactive cultural activities will immerse you in the warmth and hospitality of Latino communities. This family friendly event includes a Free Kids’ Zone (1 - 6 PM) with face painting and supplies for making traditional handcrafts. Come visit Cville NOW’s table 1 - 6 PM and experience the fun with us. Priced for all to enjoy: Under 13 FREE, 13-17 $5, Adults $10.

Join Cville NOW and other community organizers on September 14 to celebrate Democracy Day, an international day established by the UN to promote and uphold the principles of democracy. Visit our table display to score info, swag and snacks! There will be music, and great speakers, including Senator Creigh Deeds, Delegate Katrina Callsen, and former Delegate David Toscano, will fire up the crowd! Don’t miss the fun!

Join Charlottesville NOW at the Virginia NOW statewide conference to be held in Charlottesville! Bring your ideas, enthusiasm, goals — this is the time for everyone to be involved! The Conference will be on Saturday, July 13, noon-4:00pm at the Water Street Center, 407 E. Water Street. Lunch will be provided. RSVP is required: https://shorturl.at/FU137. For questions about the conference, email executivevp@vanow.org. This is also the year for VA NOW's biennial officer election. If you’re interested in running for office, apply using this form: https://shorturl.at/gvxN4. You can view the officer position descriptions on Virginia NOW’s website: https://vanow.org/about-us/governance. A nominee for state office must be a member of Virginia NOW for 3 months prior to the election date. All members in good standing at least 30 days prior to the election date may vote.

To celebrate Women’s History Month and Earth Day, Charlottesville NOW joins other community partners for The Community Read and followup event. FREE copies of the book are available at all branches of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library and at Little Free Library locations throughout Albemarle and Charlottesville. Read with us! All We Can Save: Truth, Courage and Solutions for the Climate Crisis is a collection of writings from women at the forefront of the climate movement. The Community Read will culminate with a resource fair and panel discussion on Sunday, April 21, 1-3pm at JMRL Central Branch, 201 E. Market Street in downtown Charlottesville. Thought-provoking dialogue, helpful resources related to climate work, ways to celebrate women, inspiration to imagine a more inclusive and equitable world, and more! RSVP to learn more and subscribe to the event newsletter for updates and recommended reads from the community partners, including Albemarle County, the City of Charlottesville, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library, the Piedmont Group of the Virginia Sierra Club, Piedmont Environmental Council, ReLeaf Cville, and Resilient Together.

On March 20, hear Rachel Beanland discuss her novel, Florence Adler Swims Forever. The book won the 2020 National Jewish Book award and was chosen for the Same Page Community Read by the Jefferson Madison Regional Library. 
5:30pm Wednesday, March 20, Jefferson School African American Heritage Center (book signing at 6:30)
FREE -- Limited seating so arrive early.

On March 23, hear Virginia Senator Danica Roem speak about her book, Burn the Page: A True Story of Torching Doubts, Blazing Trails, and Igniting Change. Roem, the first transgender state senator in the U.S. and a vivid storyteller, shares how she transformed what some might consider weak points into her greatest strengths.
10:30am Saturday, March 23, Paramount Theater (book signing at 11:30) TICKETS $15 General Admission / $8 Students

Screening of the 2024 Oscar nominated short film, The ABCs of Book Banning, a powerful and timely examination of book banning efforts which are sweeping the country. Showcasing those impacted by school district book bans, the film explores the human toll future generations will pay for depriving children of the right to read and learn about our complex world. After the film, panelists will discuss book bans in Virginia and share their lived experiences of not seeing books that reflect and speak to them. And bounteous bagel spread for refreshments!

Join Cville NOW to wrap up 2023 and get fired up for 2024! At this last chapter meeting of the year we’ll recap this year’s work and accomplishments and make plans for the future. Bring your ideas and your questions. Afterward we’ll get social! Join the fun as we mix, mingle and jingle our way toward the new year together. Ugly holiday sweater attire is encouraged! Light festive refreshments.

Post-election, celebrate with feminist friends—join Charlottesville NOW for Friendsgiving! Enjoy potluck savory or sweet snacks (appetizer or dessert) as we engage in an election debrief and preview what’s next. Nosh and network Friendsgiving fun for everyone!

Candidate meet and greet at The Center at Belvedere. An informal gathering to hear from state and local candidates whose platforms align with NOW priorities. And plenty of postcards to write there or to take home to do later. All supplies provided for this immediate, easy action to turn out underrepresented voters in the critical November General Assembly election. And refreshments to fuel the fun! Bring friends, bring kids—everyone welcome! The Center, 540 Belvedere Boulevard, has plenty of easy parking.

Charlottesville NOW interest meeting and postcard writing party! We know you’re ranting…we are too! Learn more about Cville NOW and how you can get involved. Take immediate action by writing postcards to underrepresented voters to turn them out for the Virginia General Assembly election in November. Stop by or stay for a while. We have 1000’s of postcards, all the supplies you need and refreshments to keep you fueled for the write! Handwriting not your thing? There are labels. And stamps. Bring your friends…bring your kids! Feminist fun for all!

On Saturday, August 26, the day women gained voting rights in 1920, we celebrated from 2:00-4:00pm at Firefly. Suffragist Susan B. Anthony made an appearance! Members brought friends and their kids.

On Thursday, June 22, Charlottesville NOW will hold an in-person chapter meeting. Join us at 5:30pm to say thank you to outgoing board members and welcome our newly elected board! After chatting over refreshments, we’ll enjoy a speaker program about indigenous people from our area. Local Native American Mary Wilson will share a synopsis of her personal journey and how the topics of erasure, sovereignty, and justice have been and are woven into her Red Road path: erasure in not being seen, sovereignty in pidgin-holing through symbols, and justice in discrimination. Register to attend.