This 1990 performance piece, “herstory,” amplifies the voices of diverse women confronting oppression while celebrating resistance. Personal anecdotes are intertwined with political demands, highlighting the interconnectedness of individual experiences and larger social justice movements. The piece explores various forms of direct action, from smashing scales to challenge patriarchal beauty standards, to organizing against unjust working conditions. It also touches on defending abortion clinics, marching for women’s rights, and advocating for the dismantling of the U.S. military.
“Dozens of women who stumbled by the rally lined up to take a turn with the sledge hammer to obliterate this hated symbol of women’s oppression and smash the scales!”