|
Spring 2006
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH Saint Mary's College - March 27-30, 2006 For more information on these events, please contact Astrid Henry at ahenry@saintmarys.edu.
Documentary: "I Was a Teenage Feminist" followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Therese Shechter Monday March 27 7 p.m., Vander Vennett Theater, Student Union
From the film’s website (http://www.trixiefilms.com/teenfem): “I WAS A TEENAGE FEMINIST is a personal journey into a powerful, political movement that once sparked passionate response and social revolution, but now routinely evokes discomfort, indifference and even disdain. Armed with a video camera, an inquiring mind, and an irreverent sense of humor, filmmaker Therese Shechter crisscrosses both the continent and her own psyche in the hope of reconnecting to the power and sense of purpose that feminism gave her as a teenager in the 1970s. As Therese searches for her own voice and place in the feminist movement and tries to come to terms with her identity as a woman today, she asks fundamental questions: How did feminism lose its voice? Does it even exist today and for that matter, what is feminism? . . . In this delightfully creative and engaging film, Therese acts as a surrogate for all women asking questions about women’s roles and identities in our society and culture. I WAS A TEENAGE FEMINIST features insightful commentary from Gloria Steinem and Ms. founding editor Letty Cottin Pogrebin, as well noted Third Wave activists Jennifer Baumgartner (co-author of "Manifesta") and Jennifer Pozner (of Women In Media & News.) With Therese’s witty, honest voice, a vibrant cast of thought-provoking characters, and a sassy soundtrack featuring Ani DiFranco, Gina Young, MoxieStarpark, the classic Free to Be…You and Me and the legendary Helen Reddy, I WAS A TEENAGE FEMINIST redefines the F-word for a new generation.”
Talks by Women's Studies Affiliated Faculty Tuesday March 28 7 p.m., Science 105
Women’s Studies Affiliated Faculty Edith Miguda (History), Carolette Norwood (Sociology), and Jennifer Zachman (Spanish) will give presentations on their recent research on women's lives and feminist activism internationally.
Edith Miguda, History Department/CWIL “Women and Politics in Kenya”
This talk will focus on women's experiences in seeking parliamentary seats in Kenya. The presentation will highlight how women arrive at the decision to seek parliamentary seats, the barriers that they face in this pursuit, and ways in which those who have been elected have managed to overcome such barriers.
Carolette Norwood, Sociology Department “Women's Status, HIV Risk Reduction Strategies and Microcredit Participation”
Microcredit is perhaps the most prominent development policy embraced today. In fact, the United Nations has proclaimed the year 2005, the year of microcredit. Microcredit advocates boldly claim that participation in the programs can effectively reduce poverty and empowerment women in the third world. Recently, promoters have also been touting the usefulness of these programs in raising awareness about HIV and AIDS, and as a means of reducing the spread of the HIV virus through prevention education. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, this study assesses the independent effects of microcredit participation on HIV prevention and risk reduction strategies, women’s empowerment status and family planning attitudes and practices in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Additionally, this study evaluates local meaning and perception of women’s empowerment and family planning, the usefulness of microcredit programs, and barriers to HIV prevention.
Jennifer Zachman, Spanish, Modern Languages Department “The New Feminism(s) of Contemporary Spanish Theater: Women’s Theater Collectives in Alicante, Barcelona, Málaga and Madrid”
Since 1992, four women’s theater collectives have emerged in Spain. Even more fascinating than the emergence of four women-centered collectives in fewer than ten years is their enthusiastic espousal of feminist goals and practices and their self-definition as feminists. The women of these new collectives enthusiastically embrace feminism and have incorporated feminist theory into their works and into the official constitutions.
Senior Comp Presentations by Women's Studies Minors Tuesday March 29 4:30 p.m., Moreau 232
Five Women's Studies Minors will present overviews of their senior comprehensive projects completed within a variety of academic departments, followed by dinner in the West Wing of the Dining Hall. Please contact Professor Henry at <mailto:ahenry@saintmarys.edu>ahenry@saintmarys.edu if you need a meal ticket.
Ginger Francis, Psychology “The Complexity of Sexual Assault: An Examination of Trauma and Coping Strategies”
Sexual violence is an on-going epidemic that plagues countries all around the world, including the United States. My literature review examines the complexity of sexual assault with a specific focus on trauma and coping strategies following the assault. Sexual assault trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression are the psychological effects examined. Factors affecting coping capabilities such as prior victimization, social support, and control are also discussed. Survivors often cope by using one or more of the following strategies: approach-oriented coping, avoidant coping, or religious coping. An examination of the psychological effects and factors affecting coping capabilities leads to useful recommendations for which coping strategies are most effective in dealing with sexual assault.
Katie Kelly, Psychology “Attitudes and Perceptions of Sexual Risk”
My senior comprehensive researched how people define sex behaviors and their perceptions of risk through a study of Saint Mary’s College students. In this presentation, I will offer information related to my research, such as the frequency of sexual health behaviors since sex definitions were not significant in risk perception.
Sarah Medina, Sociology "(Sexual) Minority Report: A Survey of Student Attitudes Regarding the Social and Cultural Environment for Sexual Minorities"
This research project surveyed students at Saint Mary’s College to examine their understanding and feelings about sexual minorities. In the survey, the respondent was asked how they would react in certain situations regarding racial, ethnic, and class minorities and sexual minorities. Factors included the number of classes that the respondent has taken dealing with minority issues, the knowledge of resources, and the availability of resources.
Stephanie Snyder, Philosophy “A Work in Progress”
This paper focuses on the question, what is selfishness? It examines Hobbes' view of selfishness as an innate element of the human condition. I argue against this view with the philosophies of Emerson and Dewey. The final section is greatly influenced by Sarah Lucia Hoagland and Adrian Piper. Come help in the process of discovering the self through this question of selfishness.
Natasha Uffner, Sociology “Revenge, Greed, Passion and Murder: Film Representations of Women Who Kill”
Social construction theorists find that the media socially constructs the images of individuals, including criminals. Given the media attention to several high profile cases of female murderers (e.g. Susan Smith, Andrea Yates), this study analyzes how women murderers are socially constructed in film and compares these constructs to actual statistics. Using a content analysis of eight films from the 1940s and the 1990s, this study focused on the characteristics surrounding the individual murder and the female murderer. Overall, this study found that the images constructed by films do not give an accurate representation of women murderers. Instead, films over-represent white, heterosexual, single women.
FILM: “North Country” (2005) Thursday March 30 7 p.m., Regina 152
For our final event for Women’s History Month, the Women’s Studies Program and Feminists United will be screening "North Country" (2005), starring Charlize Theron. Directed by Niki Caro (“Whale Rider”), the film is a fictionalized account of the nation’s first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit—Jenson vs. Eveleth Mines—where a woman who endured a range of abuse while working as a minor filed and won the landmark 1984 lawsuit. Theron was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Josey Aimes, a miner working in the iron mines of northern Minnesota.
Feminism Meets Popular Culture
As part of the seminar “Feminism Meets Popular Culture,” the Women’s Studies Program will be screening three Hollywood films that attempt to (however successfully) address feminist issues and concerns. Screenings are open to the public, and all are welcome. For more information, please contact Professor Astrid Henry at ahenry@saintmarys.edu
"The Stepford Wives" Monday January 30, 2006 7:30 p.m. - Vander Vennett Theater
As part of the "Feminism Meets Popular Culture" seminar this semester, the Women's Studies Program will be screening several films throughout the spring . Our first is the 1975 film that spawned a cultural catchphrase: The Stepford Wives.
"The Stepford Wives is about a small suburb where the women happily go about their housework - cleaning, doing laundry, and cooking gourmet meals - to please their husbands. Unfortunately, Bobbie and Joanna discover that the village's wives have been replaced with robots, and Joanna'a husband wants in on the action." (from imdb.com)
Waiting to Exhale (1995) Sunday February 26 at 7 p.m. Moreau 228
Based on the best selling novel by Terry McMillan, Forest Whitaker’s film follows the lives of four African-American women as they try to deal with their lives and relationships. Their shared friendship becomes the strongest bond between the women as men, careers, and families take them in different directions. Often light-hearted, this movie speaks about some of the problems and struggles that modern women face in today's world. Starring Whitney Houston, Angela Bassett, Loretta Devine, and Lela Rochon as the four friends.
Thelma and Louise (1991) Monday March 20 at 7 p.m. Regina 152
Directed by Ridley Scott, Thelma and Louise sparked a national debate about women and violence. While some critics saw the film as “toxic feminism,” others applauded it for showing women who take control of their own lives, even if they have to resort to violence to do so. Louise (Susan Sarandon) is working in a fast food restaurant as a waitress and has some problems with her friend Jimmy, who, as a musician, is always on the road. Thelma (Geena Davis) is married to Darryl who likes his wife to stay quiet in the kitchen so that he can watch football on TV. One day they decide to break out of their normal life and jump in the car and hit the road. Their journey, however, turns into a flight when Louise kills a man who threatens to rape Thelma. They decide to go to Mexico, but soon they are hunted by American police.
For more information, please contact Professor Astrid Henry, ext. 4476, ahenry@saintmarys.edu
Spring 2005


|