Eastern Michigan University celebrates Women's History
Month this month with events including a film series, a
musical lecture by an internationally acclaimed artist,
panel discussions about gender assumptions and Guerilla
Girls on Tour. All of the events capture this year's theme, "Celebrating
Our Diversity."
"Women's History Month is a way of celebrating our ancestors
and looking forward to the increasingly diverse roles of
women in a global society," said Linda Pritchard, interim
director of the women's and gender studies program. "We
(EMU) are looking forward to embracing our past and celebrating
our future."
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WOMEN'S KEYNOTE: Bettye
Collier-Thomas,
a professor of
history at Temple University, is
the keynote speaker for EMU's
celebration of Women's
History
Month. |
Bettye Collier-Thomas, the keynote speaker for Women's
History Month, presents her lecture, "The Nexus:
Women, Religion and Civil Rights," Wednesday, March 18, 7-8:30
p.m., room 202, Porter Auditorium.
Collier-Thomas is a professor of history at Temple University
and a Woodrow Wilson Fellow during 2008-2009. She is an
Organization of American Historians Distinguished Lecturer
for 2008-2011. Collier-Thomas founded and served as the
first executive director of the Bethune Museum and Archives
National Historic Site, in Washington, D.C. She received
a Conservation Service Award from the U.S. Department of
the Interior for her work.
Her publications include "Daughters of Thunder: Black
Women Preachers and Their Sermons," and "Sisters in the
Struggle: African-American Women in the Civil Rights-Black
Power Movement." Collier-Thomas is currently working on "Jesus,
Jobs and Justice: A History of African-American Women and
Religion."
Other Women's History Month events include:
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WOMEN'S WEAR: Artist
Erica Spitzer Rasmussen
shows her mixed media
work, "Red Hot," during
the
opening reception for
the "Women's
Ware/Women's
Wear"
exhibition at University
Gallery. |
"Women's Ware/Women's Wear" brings together the work of
approximately 15 artists and goes beyond the literal to
a deeply metaphoric examination of women's thoughts, feelings
and ideas. This exhibition runs through March 26, in University
Gallery. The exhibition explores the role that gender plays
in women's art and features works in a variety of media,
such as fibers/textiles and jewelry/metalsmithing.
"It's Great to be a Girl: A Mentoring Success
Story," is
scheduled Tuesday, March 3, 4-6 p.m., room 310B, in the
Student Center. Panelists include Carole Lapidos, director
of "It's Great to be a Girl;" Hodan Said, membership specialist
for Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan; Bethamie Wyatt and Kimberly
Grover, EMU adjunct lecturers of women's and gender studies;
and EMU students Jessica Williams and Railee Johnson.
Students studying in EMU's Women's and Gender Studies
program can take the course, "Conversations with Girls," which
teaches them to mentor. Eastern Michigan University students
then have the opportunity to mentor girls in an Ypsilanti
middle school. This discussion describes a mentoring success
story.
Women's History Month officially begins with the Women's
History Month Kick-Off Concert, Tuesday, March
3, 8-10 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. All-girl bands
Mylo Fix, Just Jill and Nervous But Excited are scheduled
to perform. All three bands are Michigan based.
 |
FEMINISTS ARE FUNNY: Guerrilla Girls on
Tour
comes to campus March 3-12. An EMU student
will be cast to play one of the roles in their
"Feminists
Are Funny" performance.
|
Guerrilla Girls on Tour takes over EMU's
campus Tuesday, March 3, through Thursday, March 12. An
EMU student will be cast to play one of the roles in the "Feminists
Are Funny" performance. Auditions are scheduled Wednesday,
March 4, and Thursday, March 5, 12:30-3:30 p.m., at the
Student Center Dining Room Stage.
The Guerilla Girls on Tour hosts a Street
Theatre Workshop Wednesday,
March 11, 3-5:30 p.m., room 310B, in the Student Center.
Students interested in participating should call Nancy
Romano at 487-1268 or sign up in room 114, Ford Hall.
Join the Guerilla Girls on Tour after the workshop for
a meet-and-greet reception from 6-7 p.m., in University
Gallery.
The Guerilla Girls perform "Feminists are Funny," Thursday,
March 12, 7-8:30 p.m., in Sponberg Theatre. The lack of
opportunities for women and people of color will be addressed
in a performance that combines visual and performing arts.
This energetic romp through "herstory" provides an up-to-date
account of this group's latest actions in politics; the
performing arts and the media; a recreation of some of
their street theatre protests; and a look at some of the
funniest female activists and their accomplishments.
Learn about the history of International
Women's Day Monday,
March 9, noon to 1:30 p.m., room 300, in Halle Library.
Enjoy food from around the world while listening to presenters
speak about current issues facing women in their societies.
"Name that Decade: Gender Assumptions about Technology,
Law and the Workplace," is scheduled Thursday, March 12,
9:30-10:45 a.m., room 350, in the Student Center. This
discussion will explore three different examples of gender
assumptions from three different decades. Presenters include
Denise Pilato, associate professor of technology studies;
and Darcelle White, professor of technology studies.
 |
FILM SERIES: "Raise
the Red Lantern,"
a
Chinese film, will be
shown as part of the
Women
Around the
World Film Series. |
Women Around the World Film Series premieres at EMU Monday,
March 16, through Friday, March 20, room 300, in Halle
Library. This series is presented in conjunction with International
Week.
Monday, March 16, represents China. "King of Masks" screens
noon to 2 p.m. and "Raise the Red Lantern" screens
4-6 p.m. Sub-Saharan Africa is represented Tuesday, March
17. "I
Have a Problem, Madam" screens 11 a.m. to noon
and "Women
with Open Eyes" screens 12:30-1:30 p.m. Thursday,
March 19, brings India into the focus. "Water" screens
noon to 2 p.m., "Bandit Queen" screens
2-4 p.m., and "Monsoon
Wedding" screens
6-8 p.m. Japan wraps up the film series Friday, March 20. "Secret
Life of a Geisha" screens 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
and "Paradise
Road" screens 2-4:15 p.m.
Joan Boonin presents, "Finding Her Voice: Speech,
Language and Communication in the Transgendered Woman," Tuesday,
March 17, 9:30-10:45 a.m., in the Student Center Auditorium.
Boonin is a speech-language pathologist with the University
of Michigan Health System.
A panel discussion entitled, "Adding Value to
the Chain: Promoting Careers in Supply Chain Management
to Women," is scheduled Thursday,
March 19, 3:30-5 p.m., room 201, Gary M. Owen Building.
Panelists include Pamela Hill of General Dynamics and Amanda
Malone of Eaton Aerospace. Anne L. Balazs, department head
of marketing at EMU, serves as the moderator.
 |
Hsu-Li |
Magdalen Hsu-Li, an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter,
painter, and cultural activist, gives a musical lecture
entitled, "Smashing the Ceiling," Tuesday, March 24, 11
a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the Student Center Auditorium. This
musical lecture will share her personal experiences, while
assisting the audience in finding ways to explore and redefine
their own identities.
Carol Haddad, a professor in EMU's School of Technology
Studies, presents, "The Avalon Dragons - Women
Using Technology for Life," Wednesday, March 25,
4-5:15 p.m., room 310B, in the Student Center. This is
a photo-documentary presentation of breast cancer survivors
in Newfoundland, Canada.
Women's History Month concludes with "Gendered
Media During Election '08." This panel discussion includes EMU faculty
members Marilyn Corsianos, associate professor of sociology,
anthropology and criminology; Elaine Martin, professor
of political science; and Michael Tew, professor of communication,
media and theatre arts.
Women's History Month kicked off with food, dancing and
live music with "Women of Culture," Monday,
March 2, in the Student Center. This event included a panel
discussion with attorney Laura Echartea; Lakshmi Vora,
an electrical engineer; Juliette Thorpe Okatie-Eboh, senior
vice president of community affairs for MGM Grand Casino;
and Kay McGowan, an EMU adjunct lecturer of sociology,
anthropology and criminology. The speakers discussed some
of the obstacles they have faced, the biggest misconceptions
about their cultures and provided tips for future generations.
For more information about Women's History Month, contact
the EMU Women's and Gender Studies Program at 487-1177
or visit www.emich.edu/wstudies.
