March 4, 2008 issue
Women's History Month explores accomplishments, challenges for women

By Krystin Jarrell

 

Eastern Michigan University plans to celebrate and recognize various accomplishments of women and examine the challenges that still exist during this year's Women's History Month Celebration.

In recognition of an election year and Hillary Clinton campaigning for president, a month of activities and events are scheduled to "challenge power."   

Feldt

"Not every event has to do with politics, but most of them do because this is an election year and we have the first major woman candidate running for president," said Linda Schott, program director of women's and gender studies.

In an effort to connect the generational gap in terms of understanding feminism, the keynote event, "Women, Girls, Ladies: A Panel of Intergenerational Feminism," will feature four women from different age groups discussing the changes and common goals within the feminist movement. The keynote is scheduled Tuesday, March 18, 7 p.m., Student Center Ballroom.

Martin

The panelists include: Gloria Feldt, 65, author, commentator, speaker and "freelance rabble rouser;" Kristal Brent Zook, 42, award-winning journalist and author; Deborah Siegal, 38, consultant of women's issues and author; and Courtney Martin, 27, journalist, filmmaker, teacher and author.

"Older and younger women define feminism differently, so we hope to appeal to all generations with this event by explaining how the different generations are similar and different," said Schott.

Other Women's History Month events include:

• Paint the Pray-Harrold Kiosk to kick off the month, Monday, March 3, noon, Pray-Harrold Kiosk. Wear old clothes and join Kate Anderson, interim president of the Women and Gender Studies Student Association, for a study break of red, white and blue paint, as well as hot cocoa and doughnuts.

• *Women from around the world will speak of their lives through story, song, and symbol during "International Women's Day: Gender in Global Perspective," Friday, March 7, 11 a.m., room 301, Porter Building. Refreshments from around the world will be served.

• *During the discussion, "Can or Should a Woman be in the Oval Office?" Michigan politicians, academics and community representatives will give an overview of women's political representation in the U.S. and around the world Monday, March 10, 5 p.m., room 310A, Student Center. They will discuss the relationship between women in public office and the advancement of a feminist agenda in legislation and public policy making, and touch on the political and cultural significance of electing a woman to the Oval Office.

• POWER OF WOMEN: This logo for Eastern Michigan University's Women's History Month was created by Kate Anderson, a graduate assistant and interim president of the Women and Gender Studies Student Association.

  *EMU faculty members Marilyn Corsianos, Donna Killingbeck and Paul Leighton will examine "Gender and the Criminal Justice System," Tuesday, March 11, 11 a.m., room 203, Porter Building. Areas of focus will include the police, corrections and victimization.

• *Watch a screening of "Beautiful Daughters," Tuesday, March 11, 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. This documentary looks at the lives of four transgender women intertwined with the casting, rehearsal and opening of a V-Day benefit production of Eve Ensler's, "The Vagina Monologues." A discussion will follow.

• *A panel discussion will explore the intersection of gender and age, as the so-called "Demographic Revolution" and global aging impact societies worldwide. Highlighting the multifaceted nature of women's lives, "Grandmothers of the World: Gender and Age Across Cultures," will include presentations by advanced students from various disciplines. EMU faculty member Marisa Ensor will moderate Wednesday, March 12, 9 a.m., room 203, Porter Building.

• *Instructors and former students will discuss the impact of courses taught at the Huron Valley Correctional Facility during "Narratives of Incarceration: The Pros of Teaching Cons," Thursday, March 13, 6 p.m., Halle 300.

• *Discrimination, prejudice and racism are constant barriers to friendships between women of different racial and/or ethnic backgrounds. "Interracial/Interethnic Communication Between Women," scheduled Friday, March, 14, 10 a.m., Halle 217, will focus on the elimination of stereotypes; the creation of ethnic and racial understanding; and effective communication techniques for developing interracial and/or interethnic relationships among women.

• *Three geologically diverse Muslim EMU students will discuss their struggles growing up in society and their views on women in Islam in "Women & Islam," Monday, March 17, 11 a.m., Student Center Auditorium. The lecture will cover issues such as women's rights; women converting to Islam; the Hijab and other Islamic clothing; and polygamy in Islam.

• *Hodan Said, an immigrant woman from Somalia, will tell her story and explain her view about "Female Genital Mutilation" in her home country, explaining the main reasons women undergo FGM, Wednesday, March 19, 11 a.m., room G03, Halle Auditorium. This event will identify and describe both the medical and cultural sides of the FGM debate.

• *The V-Day documentary, "Until the Violence Stops," will be shown Thursday, March 20, 7 p.m., room G03, Halle Auditorium. Tickets are required for this event to raise funds for local domestic violence and sexual assault shelters.

• Bederman

  *Gail Bederman, a leading scholar of women's history from the University of Notre Dame, presents, "Contraception and its Advocates in the U.S.A., 1831-1965: A Revisionist History," Tuesday, March 25, 7 p.m., Roosevelt Auditorium. She will discuss the history of birth control in the United States.

• *EMU faculty members Joanna Scott, Elaine Martin, Lisa Laverty and Claudia Petrescu will discuss women's access to and performance in positions of power in business, government agencies, academic institutions, the nonprofit sector, community organizations and political parties during "Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling: How Women Get and Keep Power Positions," Thursday, March 27, 5 p.m., room G03, Halle Auditorium.

• The Princess Bride

  Join the EMU Philosophy Club and the Women's and Gender Studies Student Association for "Philosophy/WGST Swim-In Movie Night: The Princess Bride," for a night of swimming while watching a cult classic, "The Princess Bride," Friday, March 28, 7 p.m., Rec/IM Club Pool. Stay after the movie for an informal discussion about inconceivable logic, the cultural imagery of female and male roles found in Buttercup and Wesley; the realism of fairytales; the possibility of being only "mostly dead," and more. Food, beverages and floatation devices will be provided.

• *Watch the screening of "Under One Roof: The Bilals Stand Movie Premiere," Monday, March 31, 7 p.m., Student Center Auditorium. In this classic coming-of-age story, a recently widowed African-American mother struggles to support her family through her family's taxi stand while her son, Bilal, is forced to choose between upward mobility and duty to family. As Bilal embarks upon his journey to college, he struggles to define himself as a man and a Muslim despite the oppositional expectations of his mother. Dessert and discussion with the cast and crew will immediately follow the viewing.

For more information about Women's History Month, or any of these events, contact the EMU Women's and Gender Studies Program, 487-1177, or visit www.emich.edu/wstudies .

*Attending events marked by this symbol will earn students credit for the Learning Beyond the Classroom Requirement of the new General Education Program.