| CREATIVE CONSULTANT / FREELANCE WRITER. M. DANTE is a respected critical and creative writer, qualitative researcher, and photographer. Most known for her critical writing, commentary, and sexual communication workshops, she is also popular for her esoteric creative non-fiction and poetry. Publicly active since 2003 in discussion on survival sex, sex work, and sex trafficking, she has been writing on the topic since the early 1990s, supporting programs and legislation essential to empowerment, community health and human rights.
Contributing to projects combining her background in the creative arts, the health arts and sciences, volunteer service, and her familiarity of urban dynamics, Melanie enjoys a physically active, cosmopolitan lifestyle in Greater Philadelphia / Valley Forge. BACK STORY: As a Goddard College Ambassador Alum (BA 2003 / HAS MA 2005), Melanie has a strong sense of community, along with immense respect for individualism. Receiving the Drexel University Deans Scholarship for excellence in research, Melanie selected to stay between her home in Lancaster, PA and her studies in Plainfield, VT, completing the Goddard College Health Arts & Sciences (HAS MA) program. The HAS MA is an interdisciplinary program founded on the principle that community health, personal health, and the health of the natural world are equal.
In 2009 the Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) awarded Melanie a grant to complete a small business start up program offered by Assets Lancaster. As a result of Assets, she operated a unique craft and collectibles project, Beautiful Day Creations, through the death of her mother, who shared company with her after having to retire early as a result of Multiple Sclerosis. During the decade of time, from 2003-2013, besides her academic and creative accomplishments, Melanie worked in health care in Lancaster as an attendant and advocate. In the Valley Forge area she continues to evolve her health care skill set while working in multiple counties of South Eastern and Central PA serving diverse need care communities.
Often asked from where she hails, Melanie is a vibrant thread in the weave of the American tapestry. Originally from Boston's North Shore, she lived in Coastal Florida and New Mexico during her middle school years as a result of her parent's creative and entrepreneurial pursuits. Independent since 16, she moved to Brooklyn at 18, living between New York and San Francisco for over a decade. Pennsylvania has been "home" since 1999.
Goddard
College adviser Katt Lissard wrote: "Melanie was always a
pleasure to work with. She's articulate, intelligent, highly
creative, and has a strong sense of justice and the individual's
right to personal freedom. Her work moves between the
transgressive & the transformative, always including compassion
& heart."
2019: 2019 D/17 Philly IDTEVASW
2019 SWOP Behind Bars 2018 SWOP Behind Bars 2018 Incarnation Institute Of Sex & Faith IISF 2018 The Erotic Literary Salon Philadelphia 2018 Philadelphia FIGHT Re Entry and Prison Health Care Summit 2018 Goddard College Presentation 2018 Retreats From Oblivion The Journal Of Noir Con 2018 Word Press Word Camp Bethlehem 2018 Blind Filmmaker David Block
2017 Dotlen Academy Of Science 2017 National M.S. Society GRC 2017 Crossroads Women’s Center
2017 ESPU-Philly
2016 Read by 4th Lead Tutor 2015 Suffolk County Community College 2015 Contemporary Jewish Museum San Francisco 2015 Lit-quake San Francisco 2015 J/Noir P M Press 2015 Woodhull Sexual Freedom Alliance 2015 Philadelphia / Project SAFE 2013-2015 Community United for Safety and Protection (CUSP) 2012-2015 The ESPLER Project / ESPU San Francisco 2012-2014 Lady Dahlia Entertainment 2012-2015 The Erotic Literary Salon Philadelphia 2015 Philadelphia Fight End AIDS 2015 SEXx Interactive in affiliation with "Sex with Timaree" and GALAEI 2015 Regain That Feeling with Dr. Mitch Tepper, PhD M P D 2015 Noir Riot 2014 Sen-Sexual E-Anthology in affiliation w. The Philadelphia Erotic Literary Salon 2014 The Projection Booth Podcast hosted by Mike White and Rob St. Mary
2014 Faulkner Society Short Story Finalist Archived Projects Include:
Philadelphia 2012 - 2013 2012-2014 IOTA: The Arlington Poetry Mic Hosted by Miles David Moore 2012 The Walking Fish Theater Philadelphia 2012 HeadPress 2.6: Collaborative interview with V.Vale of ReSearch Publications 2012 PA Ballot Access Coalition, Philadelphia and Harrisburg 2012-2014 Free Tours by Foot Philadelphia 2012-2013 Sales Gaspillee: Upstairs at The Irish Pol
Lancaster 2005-2011 Kalargyros Gallery Dosie Dough Bakery Dog Star Books Millersville University/ Ganser Gallery
Franklin & Marshall College 2005-2011 FUND RAISERS Clare House (Shelter for Women) Crispus Attucks Community Center Team American Spirit The National M.S. Society
The Red Thread 2005-2011 FREELANCE & COMMUNITY EVENTS CB Richard Ellis, Philadelphia Christina's Pantry, Lancaster DJ Gerri Hoff & The International Network, Lancaster Dog Star Books, Lancaster Eyes Wide Open /American Friends Service Committee, Lancaster Gallery 141, Lancaster Goodman Creations, Lancaster HeadPress, UK Mimi Shapiro, Lancaster Octavia & the Earthblood Blues Band, Paradise Padmani Kundalini Yoga Products, Lancaster Party of One, Lancaster / NYC The Maternal Diva Rose Hudson, York Andy Black's Necronomicon, UK Barrel Entertainment, Detroit
Beautiful Day Creations Memorial Website
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