Women’s Week 2009
March 23 – March 28
Women’s Week is an annual event at Ball State University planned by the Women’s Studies Program to celebrate the achievements and experiences of women. Women’s Week is held during the last week of March, which is National Women’s History Month. The Women’s Studies Program at Ball State University provides a forum for learning and teaching about women’s lives and the way society defines gender roles. This purpose is accomplished by administering an academic major and minor in women’s studies, offering a wide variety of programs, fostering research about women, advocating change for women’s lives, identifying career opportunities, and serving as a resource to the university and larger community. All Women’s Week 2009 events are free and open to the public.
Monday March 23
12:00-1:00 p.m.
What is Fibromyalgia and what can be done about it?
Fine Arts Building Room 217
This panel will be made up of Patricia Atherton, Laurel Fisher, Natalie Havice, and Dr. Najma Javed and moderated by Julee Rosser. Patricia Atherton is a Graduate Student at Ball State University studying Fashion Design and earning a certification for College and University Teaching. She has been living with Fibromyalgia since she was a child. Laurel Fisher has practiced massage therapy in the Muncie area for over 10 years. Her client-tailored sessions include techniques such as neural-muscular re-education and myofascial release work; both effective in addressing chronic pain issues. In addition to massage; Ms. Fisher draws on her 30 years of interest in natural foods, yoga, and ecology to encourage clients curious about holistic wellness. Natalie Havice has been a physical therapist for over 10 years at Midwest Healthstrategies specializing in aquatic therapy, orthopedics, and breast cancer rehab. She received an undergraduate degree in exercise science from Ball State University and then graduated from physical therapy school at University of Health Sciences at Chicago Medical School. She received an advanced rheumatology certification from Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute. Dr. Najma Javed is a Professor of Physiology in the Department of Physiology and Health Science at Ball State University. She specializes in the interaction of neural, immune, and endocrine mechanisms in human gastrointestinal disorders.
5:30-6:45 p.m.
Women’s Week 2009 Proclamation Reception
Earl William Lounge, Emens Auditorium
This reception will be a time to gather before the “Tres Vidas” performance to have refreshments, with music and art.
7:00-9:30 p.m.
The Core Ensemble
Tres Vidas
Emens Auditorium
The Core Ensemble: Tahirah Whittington, cello; Hugh Hinton, piano; and Michael Parola, percussion, along with featured actress Georgina Corbo, will perform the new chamber music theatre work Tres Vidas at Ball State University’s Emens Auditorium. Tres Vidas celebrates the life, times and work of three significant Latin and South American Women: painter Frida Kahlo of Mexico, peasant activist Rufina Amaya of El Salvador, and poet Alfonsina Storni of Argentina. With storylines including Frida Kahlo’s dramatic and passionate relationship with painter Diego Rivera, Rufina Amaya’s astounding singular survival of the massacre at El Mozote, and Alfonsina Storni’s lifelong challenges as Argentina’s first great feminist poet, Tres Vidas presents dramatic situations timeless in their emotional appeal and connection to audiences across all gender and ethnic spectrums.
Tuesday March 24
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Lisa Laflin
Diva of Debris
Bracken Library Room 225
Welcome to Ask the Diva! Working in the environmental field for about 10 years, Lisa Laflin has been given a very fitting albeit, tongue-in-cheek moniker of the Diva of Debris. Her field of interest is recycling. Lisa will be discussing more about this very basic, and easy step toward being green. Start by looking at what “greenies” for years have referred to as the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, three easy steps to being green. She will discuss the materials that we all consume and talk about how they are made, and the importance of recycling them.
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Vera Adams and Rabita Rajkarnikar
Jane Jacobs: A woman on a mission, her life, works, and impact
Architecture Building Room 100
Vera Adams, Instructor in the Department of Urban Planning, and Rabita Rajkarnikar, graduate student in the Department of Urban Planning, will be discussing the life of Jane Jacobs, an urban writer and activist who championed new, community-based approaches to planning for over 40 years.
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion
Lesbian Studies: What do we know? Where are we going?
Fine Arts Building Room 217
Women's Studies students present a panel discussion on issues in Lesbian Studies. The session will be moderated by Dr. Carmen Siering.
4:00-5:00 p.m.
State of Assault
David Letterman Building Room 125
Ball State University Students majoring in Biology, Criminal Justice, Microbiology, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Telecommunications and Women's Studies have come together with the Virginia Ball Center for Creative Inquiry and Dr. John McKillip to address the current "State of Assault." As students, they immersed themselves in a victim-centered perspective of the sexual assault casework process. This interdisciplinary seminar culminated in a marketable DVD documentary with interviews and hands on activities outlining the evolving needs and future trends in sexual assault case management.
6:30-7:30 p.m.
Dr. Marguerite Rivage-Seul
Remembering Oscar Romero and the Mothers of the Disappeared
Burkhardt Building 101
Dr. Marguerite Rivage-Seul, Associate Professor of Women’s Studies and Director of Women’s Studies Department at Berea College will present her essay in homage to Oscar Romero, connecting his life to the Mothers of the Disappeared and Demeter and Persephone.
Wednesday March 25
1:00- 2:00 p.m.
Indiana Women of Achievement
Presented by the College of Sciences and Humanities Task Force on the Status of Women
The Empowerment of Women: A Conversation with Indiana Women of Achievement
L.A. Pittenger Student Center Forum Room
7:00-9:30 p.m.
Presented by the Multicultural Center
Iron Jawed Angels
Pruis Hall
Iron Jawed Angels recounts for a contemporary audience a key chapter in U.S. history: in this case, the struggle of suffragists who fought for the passage of the 19th Amendment. Focusing on the two defiant women, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns, the film shows how these activists broke from the mainstream women's-rights movement and created a more radical wing, daring to push the boundaries of political protest to secure women's voting rights.
Thursday March 26
800 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Third Annual African Diaspora Research Conference: Sisters, Girls, and Women: Gender Solidarity and Struggle
Bracken Library Room 225
The Third Annual African Diaspora Research Conference at Ball State University is a themed one-day conference that explores issues related to the roots and global dispersion of ethnically African peoples.
8:00 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.
Registration & Opening with Black National Anthem
8:30 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.
Session One A: Diaspora Research
Graduate student paper presentations(60 minutes for presenters and 20 minutes for questions)
10:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.
Session One B: Diaspora Research
Graduate student paper presentations(60 minutes for presenters and 20 minutes for questions)
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Session Two: Lunch and cultural arts presentations
12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Session Three: Keynote Address by Dr. Signithia Fordham. She is an anthropologist from the University of Rochester who has done much research on African American identity (male and female) and in particular black girls and their relationships with girls of other races.
1:45 p.m. -2:45 p.m.
Session Four: Faculty Response Panel
4:00-6:00 p.m.
Nina B. Marshall Art Exhibit: Women as Culture Keepers Reception
Atrium Gallery
This exhibition of women’s artwork is named in honor of Nina B. Marshall. Marshall was an artist, friend, and Ball State professor who, in 1994, organized the first annual Women’s Week Women Faculty and Student Art Exhibition. The exhibition now carries her name as a statement of gratitude and admiration for all that she contributed to Ball State University’s Women’s Studies Program and Department of Art.
Friday March 27
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion
Males Doing Feminist Work
Fine Arts Building 217
This panel discussion of males doing feminist research, will include Abel Alves, David Concepcion, Mark Malaby, Joseph Marchal, and Tal Peretz. Adam McLachlan will be the moderator.
Saturday March 28
2:00-4:00 p.m.
Sonnets for My Sistahs
Pruis Hall
This two-part play, written by Indianapolis-area resident and Gary native playwright Vernon A. Williams, features the comedy, drama, song, and dance of relationships in the new millennium and includes stunning praise dance as well as stirring vocal solos. "Sonnets for my Sistahs" is unique in that all of its dialogue is poetry, taken from the book of the same title.