NIU slates events for Women's History Month

Focusing on a theme of volunteerism, NIU has scheduled 17 events to coincide with the celebration of Women's History Month in March.

The NIU Women's Studies Program, together with various co-sponsors, is pleased to bring attention to important women's issues. Volunteerism encompasses the lives of women in various arenas, including community support, activism in the pursuit of social justice, dedication to home and family, and the balancing of career and family.

This year's Women's History Month events will kick off with three nights of student performances of "The Vagina Monologues," sponsored by the Women's Alliance. Performances will be held in the Diversions Lounge of Holmes Student Center at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 24, Tuesday, Feb. 25, and Thursday, Feb. 27. A $6 donation is suggested.

The month's activities also feature a number of distinguished speakers.

Floris Barnett Cash, a graduate colloquium speaker, will present her lecture titled, "African-American Women and Volunteerism: A Historical Perspective of Women in Chicago," at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center. Cash is an associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in history at the State University of New York, Stony Brook.

She also will present a seminar, "Ida B. Wells Barnett, A Feminist Race Woman," at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 19, in the Center for Black Studies. The center and the NIU Women's Studies Program are sponsoring the events.

Jewell Parker Rhodes, a professor of creative writing at Arizona State University, will read from and discuss her newly published novel, "Douglass' Women," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, in the Heritage Room of the Holmes Student Center. A book signing will follow her presentation, sponsored by Unity in Diversity, the Department of English, the Center for Black Studies and Women's Studies.

Women's Studies also has joined with the English and geography departments in sponsoring two other graduate colloquium speakers.

Judith Mayne of Ohio State University will give an address, "Marlene Dietrich and Hollywood's Representation of the Aging Female Star," at 3 p.m. Friday, March 28, in Gabel Hall's Cavan Auditorium. Gillian Rose, of the Open University of the United Kingdom, will speak at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Davis Hall, Room 308. Her talk, titled "Family Photography and Domestic Spacings: A Case Study," will address feminist interpretations of self, time and space.

The annual International Women's Day Luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, in the Chandelier Room of Adams Hall. The featured speaker will be Josephine Mendez-Negrete, assistant professor of Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Call (815) 753-9614 for reservations (fee for lunch). The event is sponsored by University Resources for Women, University Resources for Latinos and the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women.

Mendez also will give a formal address, titled "The Gender Pipeline: Culture, Education, and Opportunities," at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, in the Heritage Room of Holmes Student Center.

The annual Women's History Month Art Show will exhibit art by female faculty and graduate students in the NIU School of Art. The opening reception will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the DeKalb Area Women's Center, 1021 State St., DeKalb. Interested viewers can call (815) 758-1351 for gallery hours.

Other highlights include a panel discussion, "Volunteerism, Past and Present," which will highlight women who represent such diverse areas as the Girl Scouts and a local battered women's shelter. The panel will be held at 3:30 p.m. Monday, March 17, in Reavis Hall, Room 211.

The final event in celebration of Women's History Month is titled "Vagina Seminar: Re-imaging Women's Bodies." The seminar, a popular event continued from last year, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, in Faraday Hall, Room 143. The seminar allows the audience to ask questions in a safe and comfortable atmosphere.

In addition to these events, many other programs are scheduled. All events are open to the public, and unless otherwise noted, are free. Sign language interpreters are available upon request; call (815) 753-6515 (one week's notice is preferred).

For further information and a complete schedule of events, visit http://womenshistorymonth.niu.edu or contact the Women's Studies Program at (815) 753-1044.

2-24-2003