A Step Ahead Chattanooga, in collaboration with headlining sponsor Hamico, announced the Decades Silent Disco, a celebration marking the organization's journey and 10 years of service in breaking barriers to contraception access in the Greater Chattanooga and surrounding areas. The event will occur on Sept. 19, from 7-9:30 p.m. at Parkside Hall, 2035 Polk Street, Chattanooga.
Founded by Rachel Schulson and a dedicated group of passionate supporters in 2013, A Step Ahead Chattanooga identified Chattanooga's need for educational resources on birth control and endeavored to address it.
Since its establishment, ASAC has led discussions on the significance of family planning, offering education and access to resources that positively impact education, lifetime earnings, and community health outcomes. To date, the nonprofit has served over 8,500 individuals in this region with access to free birth control, and the numbers continue to rise.
The Decades Silent Disco allows the community to renew support while uniting in celebration and reflection. Guests can enjoy a "silent" musical journey of their choosing through the 1970s, 1980s, 90s, and 2000s, experiencing the cultural significance of each era's music while amplifying the importance of access to birth control in our communities. Officials said, "Let’s not be silent about the crucial role that education and access to birth control play in empowering individuals and shaping our future." The event will also feature local women-owned businesses and vendors selling fun goods like candles from The Rustic House, one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry from The August Sisters, chain-stitch embroidery from Kait Makes, and live T-shirt screen printing from Chan Design Co.
Mandy Cowley, executive director of A Step Ahead Chattanooga, said, "This silent disco and happy hour is not just a celebration of the strides we've made in birth control access over the past decade; It's also a poignant reminder of the ongoing journey of ensuring reproductive health and birth control access for future generations."
The Decades Silent Disco is a testament to ASAC's commitment to advancing reproductive health equity in our community. As the organization has expanded its reach beyond Hamilton County, now covering an 18-county service area spanning Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama, this event underscores the importance of collective action in achieving lasting change.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ASAC's website at astepaheadchattanooga.org/calendar/decades-silent-disco. Decades attire is welcome. This is an 18 and up event.
Event Schedule:
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Bar and Hors D’oeuvres: 7-9 p.m.
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Women-Owned Vendor Corner: 7-9:30 p.m.
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The Rustic House Candles
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The August Sisters One-Of-A-Kind Handmade Accessories
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Kait Makes Chain Stitch Embroidery
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Custom Event Design T-Shirt Screen Printing by Chan Design Co.
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Silent Disco (featuring music from the '70s - 2020s): 7-9:30 p.m.