The Power of Transitional Objects for Activists
This summer I travelled to Freetown, Sierra Leone joining 1000 + other feminist activists for the 10th Annual African Conference on Sexual Rights and Health. While there I facilitated arts activities with attendees – offering them the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, learnings and new connections.
Critical approaches to advance girls and women’s rights and end gender-based violence were shared at the conference, including decolonizing sexual health rights and contraception, the importance of self-care, pleasure and emotional support, and the need to resource and support young feminist leadership.
Drawing from the concept of a transitional object, the “Take me with you” activity was simply focused on helping people absorb the power of their experience. A transitional object, defined by the American Psychological Association, is “any person or thing that provides security, emotional well-being, and a symbolic connection with a valued other,” attendees were invited to create a jewelry piece while reflecting on someone they met, something that was said, or something they felt at the conference and that they wanted to remember when they returned back to their home countries and everyday lives. We provided a range of beads to create bracelets, necklaces, earrings or anklets.
“The Take Me with You activity was simply focused on helping people absorb the power of their experience. ”
Workshops, retreats, or conferences like this one are a unique space for personal growth, recharging, and new relationships. Once the experience ends it is hard to make the transition back to normal life and retain these experiences. For activists especially, it's a dramatic shift to go from a place that affirms their vision and identity to one where they are fighting a new and different world. A transitional object is designed to support this passage from solidarity to some level of isolation.
It was moving to spend time with so many activists, quietly beading, seeing the gorgeous jewelry pieces created, and hearing what they would be taking with them from the experience. I’m grateful to Purposeful and the WOW Team who hosted made space for wellness activities like this at the conference.
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