Feminist Friday

Feminist Friday - Established July 15, 2023

LEARN MORE ABOUT US: Join our Facebook Group: FEMINIST FRIDAY

WHAT: Always the last Friday of the month, don't miss this local, national, and international in-person networking and empowerment event for women 18 + Bring your friends, business cards, clothes to swap, and your smile.

WHO: Feminist Friday was started in the summer of 2023 by Shannon Joy Mekeel the author of now in its second edition. Feminist Friday has evolved since then into a community staple in Grand Junction, CO, connection local, national, and international women at this hybrid event.

WHEN: The last Friday of Every Month 6 PM MST - please be prompt. Kick off in Grand Junction is May 29th, 2026. Get your in-person tickets now!

Tickets are capped at 50 women per live event.

WHERE: 687 24 ½ Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81505

Nexus Clubhouse located in the back of the property.

Look for the red barn.Parking is limited, so car pooling is recommended.

Better yet, be chauffeured and dropped off by your partner at 6 PM. They are welcome to join us at 9 for campfire chats. (Learn more, below: “WHAT TO EXPECT")

ABOUT: Inviting women of any age, race, walk of life, or ability level to come together for education, empowerment, and connection. Offering campfires, smores, and fun with friends.

All are welcome. Let’s start a movement with monthly meetings, social media support, and the best friendships you have ever made. BYOB to share. You’ll get a gold star if it’s a local vino or libation.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

6 PM - 6:30 PM - Registration, enter our drawing. Let’s mingle, get a snack, and set out our items for the clothing/handbag/shoe swap.

6:30 - 7:15PM - Empowerment: We watch a thought provoking movie, comedy act, or a video related to our theme. There will be noisemakers on hand for each member so women can make some noise when they see something that makes them uncomfortable. When someone makes a noise, we pause the media and discuss why that makes them angry. We talk about how to use our words in a more powerful way when we might be triggered out in public so that we can make a bigger impact as a community.

7:15 - 8:00 PM - Education: We review books, magazines, and printed articles that fit the theme of the evening. Then we choose quotes, write them down, make a collage, and talk about them. Everyone goes home with their favorite quotes to put on the fridge to remind them of what they learned during the meeting.

8 - 8:45 PM - Edification: Now that we are all friends, let’s get down to business! We start this session in a circle with a beach ball getting the wiggles out with our favorite adjectives about ourselves for five minutes. Then after we have all have CTFO, we introduce ourselves to the group, tell everyone what we do for a living and how the members can help us each in our businesses, passions, vocations, or volunteer pursuits. Then we move into a calmer time and space where female business owners can network, sell their wares, and share business cards or brochures, giving them an opportunity to talk about their businesses and network with other women.

8:45 - 9 PM: Drawing: The bay doors go up and so does the volume as we announce the winner of Shannon’s Special Feminist Friday Empowerment Gift Basket (value: $100+)

9-10 PM: Campfire chats, live music. The male partners of women in attendance are welcome to join us at this point if they wish. Relax and chat in our hammocks or have a s’more (or two). We will enjoy the last hour together as a community with a view of the Colorado National Monument under the moonlight. Dogs are also welcome at our large off leash dog park near the clubhouse.

WHY: Back in 2023, in Clearwater Florida, author Shannon Joy Mekeel was hoping to finally connect with thought-provoking women who lived in her area and wanted to talk about important matters that affect women. She was lonely for friends since she moved to Clearwater in 2020 during the pandemic, and has worked from home since then. She was also looking for a group of women to bounce ideas off of as she was finishing her book and needed insight from other women.

A larger goal of this venture was to create a safe space where women could connect with others in more meaningful ways, vent about their lives, and start a movement for change.

BACKGROUND: Learning about feminism ideals has been an ongoing pursuit for our host for the past twenty years. What she has learned is that women’s contributions to our society have been nearly erased from the history books, so we must deliberately seek out this information. From other groups she has been a part of our host realized that the best way to learn about feminism ideals is in a group for support and guidance.

USAF Veteran,mom of 3, professional marketer, journalist, and author, Shannon Joy Mekeel first created an private Facebook group with the following in the About section: Feminism is not a dirty word. It just means that men and women deserve the same rights, and consider this… as a feminist, I will stand up for the most objectified person in the room. I created this group as a way for fierce women to meet up to discuss the issues that matter to them. DM me with any questions. I look forward to hanging out with you on the last Friday of every month. Together we can change the world!

A humble beginning; in the Tampa Florida area back in 2023, a few neighbors became to our initial in-person group. Also, a handful of loyal friends and supporters across the US who logged on to get involved with the group virtually. They wanted to be able to tune in to what was happening and potentially start other groups like this in their area. The idea grew and will continue to grow in Colorado, now that Shannon has come home.

NOTE: Attendees of the main meeting in Grand Junction will be able to interact with other women across the US and internationally.

CURRICULUM EXAMPLES

• Early Feminism: ex. RBG, Jane Fonda, 1950s era birthing video, Anais Nin
• Creating Allies: Struggles of LGBTQ Community
• Modern Day Feminist: ex. Chanel Contos and her work in Australia regarding consent.
• All About Barbie Viewing Party
• The Lies we Were Sold: Breaking the DIsney Princess Programming
• The Epstein FIles and how it relates to all of us
• Can women really have it all? Tradition vs. independence - striking a healthy balance

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Shannon Joy Mekeel