February 27, 2013
University to celebrate Women’s History Month
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Women’s History Month 2013 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a celebration of women and their accomplishments.
Beginning Thursday, Feb. 28, and continuing through April 13, there are a wide variety of special events including films, awards, forums, discussions, workshops and much more. The theme of this year’s Women’s History Month is “Honoring Inclusive Excellence.” Most events are free and open to the public.
“Sickening Queens: Class and Ethnic Differences in Drag Performance” kicks things off on Feb. 28, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Museum Auditorium in Faner Hall. Rusty Barrett, associate professor of linguistics at the University of Kentucky, will discuss drag performances and how they differ among different cultures, nationalities, classes, ethnicities and social groups. He will explore the ways drag reflects social differences beyond bender and how language is involved as well.
Linda Renee Baker, a professor with the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, will discuss “Women in Leadership,” on Monday, March 4. Baker previously served in key state agency positions in Illinois, including secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services and director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. That evening, Jenn Freitag, from The Women’s Center in Carbondale, will speak about “Confronting Street Harassment.”
“Women Dialoging Across Differences: Perspectives on Dating,” on March 27, will focus on the ways women in different cultures view dating. Students from around the globe will share their perspectives.
Other events on tap include the annual “Celebrate Women” luncheon benefit to raise funding for women’s scholarships; the Roxana Rivera Memorial Poetry Contest Award ceremony; a “Women’s Civic Institute: Community Leaders’ Panel,” film and documentary presentations, panel discussions, and a health relationship forum.
The calendar wraps up with a “Girls Make Movies” fundraiser at 7 p.m., April 13, which will feature a special screening of film and media projects involving women associated with the University. Event proceeds go toward the annual residential summer camp for high school girls.
Find a complete schedule of events at http://inclusiveexcellence.siu.edu/brc/womens-history-month-calendar.pdf.
Sponsors include the Center for Inclusive Excellence, University Women’s Professional Advancement, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, the Hispanic Resource Center, the LGBTQ Resource Center, and Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies at SIU Carbondale.
For more information, contact Heather Hernandez at heatherher@siu.edu or 618/453-3470.