Trust the women in the world to make change and they will. Singer, songwriter Olivia Rodrigo successfully concluded her inaugural Daisy Chain Fields Festival on Saturday, August 29, in Irvine, California.
The star-studded event included performances from artists such as Stevie Nicks, Karen O, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Bikini Kill, Rachel Chinouriri, Garbage, The Breeders and Mitski. The festival was inspired by Lilith Fair, which was co-founded by Sarah McLachlan in 1997 in response to the misogyny she and her peers were facing in the music industry.
At the event, Rodrigo announced that they had raised $20M for women-focused organisations, aided by a donation from Melinda French Gates. Before she began her performance, Rodrigo thanked all of the musicians who took part in the festival: “The fact that they took the time out of their insanely busy schedules to come and do this festival for free is something I’m so grateful for,” she said. “Because of that, and because of all of you who came to hang out today, I can stand on the stage and say we are donating $10m to 10 incredible charities. I really believe that giving women the tools to decide their own futures and live healthy lives free of violence and discrimination is the most effective tool we have at changing the world for the better.”
Rodrigo then introduced Melinda French Gates, praising her as “one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met”. “She’s devoted her life to empowering women and girls that might have otherwise been forgotten,” Rodrigo said. “She’s generous and brave and has done so much good in this world, and I’m totally floored because as well as being in attendance here tonight, she’s pledged to double every dollar that we made here today to a grand total of funds being donated to $20m. I’m so grateful!”
Funds raised through the festival will be split equally among 10 beneficiary organisations: Baby2Baby, Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Centre for Reproductive Rights, FreeFrom, Jhpiego, John Hopkins Centre for Indigenous Health, National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Institute for Reproductive Health, National Women’s Law Centre, and Planned Parenthood. Here's what the organisations do:
Baby2Baby provides children in need with diapers, clothing and basic necessities.
Black Mamas Matter Alliance aims to address maternal health inequities among Black women and improve their maternal health
Centre for Reproductive Rights is a legal organisation protecting reproductive rights and reproductive health globally
FreeFrom works to end gender-based violence and offers programs centred around finances and cash assistance
Jhpeigo aims to improve access to critical health care globally
Johns Hopkins Centre for Indigenous Health promotes health equity for Indigenous people
National Domestic Workers Alliance works to win labour rights and protections for domestic workers
National Institute for Reproductive Health partners with state and local advocates to provide strategic guidance, support and funding for access to reproductive health care
National Women's Law Centre advocates for 'gender justice' through courts and in public policy
Planned Parenthood provides sexual and reproductive health care for people nationwide
Rodrigo said the organisations are doing "incredibly important work every single day in the U.S. and globally." "I'm so grateful to every person who bought a ticket, every artist who waived their fee, every sponsor for signing onto a brand new festival and every donation that helped get to $10 million to support women and girls," she said.
The event came as US President Donald Trump attempted to overhaul family planning grants that reproductive health clinics used to provide birth control and treat sexually transmitted infections. His administration paused $27.5 million last year for such organisations, including some Planned Parenthood affiliates, before officials agreed to restore the money.
Rodrigo and her festival co-organisers have hinted that the event will return, as a post to its Instagram page showed the huge crowds in attendance with the caption: “One year down, and we’ll just keep growing.”
