Past Events
The URI Women's Studies Program has offered either a lecture series, film series, or some other special event each year since its founding. Distinguished scholars from all over the world have visited URI in the last two decades. The program has also hosted several important conferences and cosponsored many exciting events. Browse through some highlights from the chronology of special events since 1980, the year that the major was approved.
Past Events for Fall 2009
October 1
Out of Diversity We Speak
Stephen Barber, Chair of the English Dept.
" HIV and Academics"
Lynne Derbyshire, Chaire of Communications Dept.
"What it means to be a first-generation working class college student"
Frank Forleo, Asst. Director of Talent Development Program
"History of diversity at URI over the last 40 years as I've seen and felt it"
Yvette Harps-Logan, Prof. of Textiles, Fashion Merchandising, & Design
"The hard struggles in our lives"
Professor Rosa Maria Pegueros, Latin American History and Women's Studies
"Another 'Wise Latina' Looks at the U.S Supreme Court: Why Justice Sotomayor Matters"
Past Events for Spring 2009
Dana Shugar Colloquia
February 3
Rob Widell, History
"Familiar Issues, New Directions: Black Women and the Long Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham"
February 17
Vanessa Quainoo, AAF
"'Cry Elmina': A Reader's Theatre." Excerpts from her spoken word epic poem about African slave women.
April 21
Dr. Annemarie Vaccaro, "Using Criticial Race and Feminist Perspectives to Explore the Intersections Between the Race, Gender, and Educational Engagement of Non-Traditional Age Undergraduate Women"
International Women's Day
March 5
Jane Lazarre and Jan Clausen. Reading. A joint event with Read-Write (English Department).
Worldwide Screening of Where the Water Meets the Sky, which tells the story of 23 women from rural Zambia who are trained in film-making and make a film about the plight of young African women orphaned by AIDs.
Fredrika Wild Schweers Memorial Lecture on Women and Health
April 9
Dr. Nancy Fey-Yensan, "Poverty and Nutritional Health: The Gender and Age Divide"
Annual Eleanor M. Carlson Lecture
April 16
Dr. Jody Heymann, "Meeting the Needs of Working Families: Getting to the Core of Global Gender Inequalities"
Co-Sponsored and Student-Initated Events
February 19
Circumference, a play by Amy Salloway (co-sponor with URI Hillel)
April 16
Jane Roberts, founder with Lois Abraham of the 34 Million Friends of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Speaking in WMS classes at 11am.
Participate in a Brown Bag lunch 12:30 to 1:30.
Past Events for Spring 2008
International Women's Day: Thursday, March 6, 2008
About International Women's Day
Lisa Starr poetry/Karen Stein on Doris Lessing
Annual Fredrika Wild Schweers Lecture on Women and Health
Deb Erickson-Owens RN, CNM, "Navigating the Birth Control Maze."
Wednesday, March 12
View Flyer
Dana Shugar Colloquium
Tuesday, February 5 - Kim Hensley Owens, Witing Program "Rhetoric of Childbirth"
Tuesday, February 19 - Karen De Bruin, French Department, Mme. De Stael and "La Femme Superieur"
Past Events for 2007
Spring 2007 Dana Shugar Colloquium Series
Tuesday, February 6 - Mary Ann Sorrentino
Abortion: How You Got Personal Choices and How You Could Lose Them
Galanti Lounge URI Library 5 - 6:30 PM
Tuesday, February 13 - Jody Lisberger
DES and Diflucan: Pharmaceutical Marketing Choices-Why Women Should Take Heed
URI Women's Center 5:15 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, February 27 - Donna Hughes
Sex Trafficking: Policy and Debates
Galanti Lounge URI Library 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, March 6 - Stephanie Dunson
The Old Folks at Home: Domesticity and Race in 19th Century Sheet Music
Galanti Lounge URI Library 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, March 13 Raging Grannies
Songs and Activism
URI Women's Center 5:15 - 6:30 pm
March 27 - The 27th annual Fredrika Wild Schweers Lecture
Featuring Janet Mancini Billson, talking about her research that led to publication of her book, Female Well-Being
White Hall Auditorium 7-9 PM.
Wednesday, April 4 - Dawn Paul
Reading from Still River
URI Women's Center 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Tuesday, April 10 Naomi Caldwell
Native American Women
URI Women's Center 5:15 - 6:30 pm
Past Events for 2006
End of the Semester Dessert Reception
Honoring Women's Studies December graduates and 2006-07 scholarship winners!
Women's Center from 6-7:15 on Tuesday, November 14.
Buffy Sainte Marie concert at 7:30 in Edwards Hall after reception.
Triota Honor Society
The Eleanor M. and Oscar M. Carlson Endowed Lecture in Women's Studies
As part of her endowment given out of "a deep interest in, and a great passion for, matters which affect the status of women in our society," Eleanor M. Carlson provided a $15,000 endowment to the URI Women's Program. Income from the endowment is used to bring to the university distinguished lecturers whose scholarship is related to the field of Women's Studies. Carlson Lecturers thus far have been:
- 2006: Ronnie Gilbert, Peggy Seeger, and Rosalie Sorrels "Women in Song" co-sponsored with the Honors Colloquium
- 2005: Elizabeth Roberts and Jennifer Lawless "Women in Politics"
- 2004: Anuradha Mittal co- sponsored with the Honors Colloquium
- 2003: Myrth York, J.D. "Women and Politics"
- 2000: Mairead Corrigan Maguire. "Hope for Northern Ireland and the World."
- 1999: Le Ly Hayslip. "Vietnamese Women: Voices Unheard."
- 1998: Kate Rushin. "Culture Not Color."
- 1997: Susan Love, M.D. "Women's Health: The Need to Tell the Truth." This lecture was held in conjunction with the 17th annual Frederika Wild Schweers Memorial Lecture.
- 1996: Katha Pollitt. "What's Next for Feminism?"
- 1995: Donna Lopiano. "Strategies for the Future: The Win/Loss Record in Women's Sports." This inaugural lecture was delivered in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of the URI Women's Studies Program.
The Fredrika Wild Schweers Memorial Lecture
Each April, the Women's Studies Program presents a recognized expert in the field of women's health. The endowment was established in memory of Fredrika Wild Schweers, a sixteen-year-old woman who died after a thirteen year battle with leukemia. The don or, the late Patricia M. Farnes, M.D., also died of cancer in 1985. This lecture has become one of the most important community events sponsored by the URI Women's Studies Program.
- 2007: Janet Mancini Billson, "Female Well-Being"
- 2006: Marlene McCarthy, H.L.D., Moderator and Presenter. Other presenters: Maureen Chung, MD, MSC, PHD, Linda Donegan, MD, Rochelle Strenger "Breast Cancer: New and Emerging Treatments and Technologies."
- 2005: The 25th annual Fredrika Wild Schweers Lecture "Women's Health and the Media"
- 2004: Kathy Kater - "Developing a Healthy Body Image in a Body-Toxic Culture"
- 2002: Dorothy Roberts, "Race, Reproduction and the Meaning of Liberty"
- 2001: Abigail Trafford - "Women as Consumers of Health"
- 2000: Suraya Sadeed - "Help the Afghan Children"
- 1999: Suzanne Arms - "Giving Birth: Challenges and Choices"
- 1998: Norma Finkelstein - "Women and Substance Abuse: The Relational Connection"
- 1997: Susan Love - "Women's Health: The Need To Tell the Truth?
- 1996: Mary Fisher - "How Well Are We Dealing with AIDS and What Should We Be Doing to Help People With AIDS?"
- 1995: Mary Harvey - "Recovery and Resiliency in Sexual Abuse Survivors" Implications for Clinical and Community Intervention
- 1994: Paula Caplan - "How Do They Decide Who Is Normal?"
- 1993: Gena Corea - "The Invisible Epidemic: Women and AIDS"
- 1992: Susan Kano - "Never Diet Again"
- 1991: Susan Troyan - "Breast Cancer: Lessons From the Past"
- 1990: Irene P. Stiver - "Women and Stress in the Workplace"
- 1989: H. Patricia Hynes - "Silent Spring: A Feminist Reading"
- 1988: Chris Norwood - "Women and AIDS: Advice for Life"
- 1987: Miriam Greenspan - "The Diagnosis and Treatment of Women in the Mental Health System"
- 1986: Patty Freedson - "Physical Activity and Well-Being for Women"
- 1985: Anne Fausto-Sterling - "Hormonal Hurricanes - Menstruation, Menopause and Female Behavior"
- 1984: Penny Wise Budoff - "Women In Pursuit of Better Health Care"
- 1983: Nawal El-Saadwi - "Women's Health and Development in the Arab World"
- 1982: Janet Bruin - "Women in the Nuclear War: Victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki Speak Out"
- 1981: Ruth Hubbard
The Annual Dana Shugar Women's Studies Spring Colloquium
This series of presentations is held in memory of Dana R. Shugar (1961-2000), Professor of English and Women's Studies.
Our Spring 2006 Colloquium series will feature URI Professors Karen Stein, Women's Studies and English; Julia Johnson, Communication Studies and Women's Studies; Kendall Moore, Journalism; and Ann Suter, Languages. Plan to join us. Tuesdays from 5-6:30 for a series of lively, provocative, informative talks.
- February 21, the Wal-mart DVD, "The High Cost of Low Price" in the Multicultural Center. (Co-sponsored with Hillel and the AAUP).
- February 28, Prof. Karen Stein, "Tillie Olsen's Proletarian Poetry and Prose" in the Galanti Lounge, URI Library. Co-sponsored with Hillel.
- March 21, Prof. Ann Suter, "A Hymn for the Ladies: The Female Poet of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter." URI Women's Center.
- April 11, Prof Julia Johnson, "Transracial Feminist Alliances: Connecting Through Difference," URI Women's Center.
- April 18, Prof. Kendall Moore, "HIV, AIDS and Women," URI Women's Center.
2005 series of talks by URI faculty in memory of Dana R. Shugar.
- Lisa Bowleg, Psychology Department, spoke on Oppression and AIDS, The Galanti Lounge on February 1.
- Kathleen Torrens, Communication Studies, spoke on "The Indigo Girls", The Women's Center on February 25.
- Valerie Karno, PhD, JD, English Department, spoke on "Shameful People, Shaming Punishments", The Dana Shugar Library, URI Women's Center on April 11, 2005.
Conferences, Film Series, and Lecture Series
- 2004: Co-sponsored with Departments of History and Modern Languages, and the Latin-American Studies Program: Colloquium on Latin American Women
- 1998: Maya Angelou. Cosponsored with Student Senate and other campus organizations.
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1997: "Abortion Rights and Medicine: Past, Present and Future."
• Featuring the film "From Danger to Dignity: The Fight for Safe Abortion," and a discussion with local experts.
• Conference: "Curricular Initiatives in Science, Engineering and Women's Studies:Exploring the Connections." Sponsored and coordinated by the URI Women's Studies, Science and Engineering Curriculum Project.
• Keynote lectures by Sue Rosser, "Female Friendly Science and Engineering: What Have We Learned So Far."
• Sheila Tobias, "The 'Problem' of Women in Science: Why is It So Hard to Convince People There Is One?"
• Anne Fausto-Sterling, "Science Matters! Let's Teach It That Way."
• Personal Stories: Women and Breast Cancer." A panel discussion with breast cancer survivors from the University Community; held in conjunction with the Schweers lecture by Susan Love. - 1996: Gill Perry, "Women Artists and the Parisian Avant-Garde"
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Fall 1994: Lecture Series "Eliminating Violence in Everyday Life":
• Jamie C. Tiedemann, "What is a Healthy Vision for Violence Prevention on a College Campus?"
• "Memory, History and Desire: A Talk With Joan Nestle"
• Ada Gay Griffin, Video: "A Litany for Survival: The Life and Work of Audre Lorde" -
Spring 1994: - Honors Colloquium "Walls & Bridges: Race, Gender and Class", co- sponsored with the Department of African and Afro-American Studies.
• Edna Bonacich, "Intersections of Race, Class, and Gender: A Theoretical Exploration."
• Elaine Hagopian, "Palestinian-Israeli Agreement: Its Meaning for Equality." Melanie Kaye- Kantrowitz, "Jews, Class, Color, and the Cost of Whiteness"
• Sylvia Peters, "Daughters of Wisdom"
• Panel Discussion, "Race and Ethnicity in Rhode Island"
• Video Presentation of Anna Deavere Smith's," Fires in the Mirror: Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and Other Identities"
• Celini Romany, "Latinas and Feminist Theory"
• Shelley Wong, "Containing the Spill: Narrations of Asian America"
• Hope Landrine, "African-American Acculturation"
• Leslie Bow, "Cultural Nationalism vs. Feminism in Asian-American Literature: or Re- Orienting Madame Butterfly"
• Cheryl Dunye, "Watermelon Woman and the Dunyementary" -
1992-1993: Fit To Serve: Gays, Lesbians and the Military Conference. Cosponsored with other campus organizations. Keynote Address by Allan Berube - "Lies, Myths and Witch Hunts: Fifty Years of the Military's Anti-Gay Policy in War and Peace"
• Paula Kamen, "Getting Beyond the Stigma and Stereotypes Associated with the F word"
• Margaret MacCurtain, "The Gleam in Kathleen's Eye: Women in 20th Century Ireland"
• Sylvia Meehan - "The Impact of Membership in the European Community: Women's Rights in Ireland"
• Gloria Anzaldua - "Las Mestizas: Building Alliances Among Women"
• Mary Daly, "Outercourse: The B-dazzling Journey - co-sponsored at Brown University
• Patricia B. Campbell, "The Myth of 'Equal Education for All' How Schools Shortchange Girls" -
1991-1992: Film Series: Reel Images. A film series celebrating women's diversity:
The Long Walk Home, Dim Sum, Rosa Luxemburg, The Nasty Girl, Desert Hearts, A World Apart, An Angel at my Table and Thelma and Louise. -
Spring 1991: Lecture Series "Women and Activism: Translating Theory Into Practice"
• Joan Orvis, Lecture and Recital: "Music of Women Composers"
• Urvashi Vaid, "Gay and Lesbian Activism in the 90s" AIDS and Beyond" -
Fall 1990: Lecture Series "Women and Activism: Translating Theory Into Practice"
• Peggy Antrobus, "Women's Rights and Human Rights"
• Anne Firor Scott, "Ladies of the Club: Unlikely Revolutionaries"
• Maggie E. Kuhn, "Living and Learning in a New Decade" -
Spring 1990: Anne Bogart, "Theater for the 90s"
• Sandra Harding, "Feminist Challenges to Science: Current Issues",Host of the New England Women's Studies Association Annual Conference: "Women Creating the New Decade." -
Fall 1989: Lecture Series - "Women Creating the New Decade"
• Mary D. Garrad, "Feminism and Art History: Rereading the Renaissance"
• Barbara Smith, "A Movement That Can Save Our Lives: The Feminism of Women of Color" -
Spring 1989: Lecture Series - "Women and Power"
• Catherine R. Stimpson, "The Power of Ideas"
• Nancy C.M. Hartsock, "Difference, Domination and Community: Feminist Issues" -
Fall 1988: Lecture Series - "Women and Power"
• Janice Raymond, "Women's Friendships: Politics and Possibilities"
• Chief Wilma Mankiller, "The Changing World of Indian Women"
• Maurene G. Souza, "Executive Women: You've Come a Long Way Baby...Or Have You?" -
Spring 1988: Karen Thompson, "Why Can't Sharon Come Home?"
• Nina J. Auerbach, "Theatrical Lives"
• Jan Felshin, "The Win-Loss Record for Women in Sport" -
Fall 1987: Lecture Series "Changing the Lives of Women"
• Claudine Schneider, "The Equality Deficit: Balancing Women's Roles"
• Pauline B. Bart, "Stopping Rape"
• Angela Davis, "Women and the South African Revolution" -
Spring 1991: Lecture Series "Women and Activism: Translating Theory Into Practice"
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Spring 1987: Lecture Series "Critical Social Issues and Feminist Theory"
• Alice Brown Collins, "Oppression: Afro-American Women's Perceptions, Views and Attitudes"
• Judy Norsigian, "New Reproductive Technologies"
• Robert Brannon and Lisa Duggan, "Pornography: Two Feminist Perspectives"
• Barbara Zanotti, "Hallowing New Ground: Feminist Response to the Patriarchal" -
1985-1986: Catharine A. MacKinnon, "Sexual Harassment: A Decade in Court. Sexual Harassment of Working Women: A Case of Sex Discrimination."
• Robin Morgan & Nanette K. Gatrell, "Combating Homophobia in the Psychotherapy of Lesbians" Women and Media Symposium, Participants: Shane Snowdon, editor, Sojourner, Ellen B. Sweet, staff editor, Ms. magazine. -
1984-1985: Letitia Anne Peplau, "Breaking the Stereotypes: Research on Lesbian Relationships"
• Jane Ritchie, "Women's Studies and the Women's Studies Movement in New Zealand"
• Elizabeth Markson, "Older Women: An Invisible Minority?" -
1982-1983: Barbara Ehrenreich, "Women in a Changing Capitalist Economy"
• Dr. Karen McCarthy Brown, "Mama Lola: A Voodoo Priestess in Brooklyn," sponsored by the Visiting Scholars Committee.
• "Working Women in the Third World," which was organized with the help of the regional Peace Corps office and an International Studies grant.
• Our Women's Lives: An International Film Series -
1981-1982: Film series on International Women, with the URI Women's Center
• One Is Silver , performance by the RI Feminist Theatre
• Janese Sampson and Carol Yampolsky, performance of women's music
• Gloria Steinem, lecture
• Elizabeth Fernia, lecture on Muslim women
• Ruth Sillman, Representative to the United Nations, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - 1980: Host of the New England Women's Studies Association Annual Conference: "Women's Studies and Women's Culture."
Past Events of 2004 to 2005
End of Semester Reception
Join the WMS Program on Wednesday April 19 from 4-6 PM in the University Club to celebrate:
- The end of the semester
- The new Dorothy F. Donnelly scholarship endowment in WMS
- Donna Bickford's contributions to the WMS Program and her new career
- The new URI chapter of the WMS Honor Society Iota Iota Iota
- WMS student awards winners
Celebration on Saturday, April 16, 2005
Featuring the mothers and founders of the WMS Program: Judith Anderson, Winnie Brownell, Bernice Lott, Mary Ellen Reilly, Karen Stein, Sharon Strom, Tally Kampen. With: Lois Cuddy, Lynne Derbyshire, Wil Dvorak, Steve Grubman-Black, Mathilda Hills, and others. Click on the Download button to see the program and thoughts on WMS at URI by students and faculty.
Anuradha Mittal, "The New Human Rights Movement: Linking Ecology with Equity"
Co-sponsored with the Honors Colloquium. September 28.
Talks
Reverend Richelle Russell spoke on "Gay Marriage: It's Political, Religious and Personal" on October 6 in the Galanti Lounge, URI Library
Readings
- Joan Joffe Hall read her poetry on March 1 in the Women's Center.
- Koren Zailckas, author of Smashed, read from her book at the Galanti Lounge on April 28.
