Open house events at Western Carolina University’s new Women’s Center and presentations on international women, women and war, and career challenges and gender in the workplace are all on the agenda as part of WCU’s observance of Women’s History Month.
Activities begin on the WCU campus Tuesday, February 27, with a presentation about Biblical women by Ralph Williams, professor of English at the University of Michigan, and conclude Friday, March 30, with a “rap” session in which men and women will discuss a variety of issues.
Women’s History Month coincides with the opening of the Women’s Center, located on the second floor of WCU’s A.K. Hinds University Center.
“We want to create a safe place for women and to provide education and advocacy, as well as making the resources of this campus and community known to women,” said Rebecca Caldwell, coordinator of women’s programs and director of the Women’s Center.
A resource library is being established to act as a clearinghouse for information about services on and off campus, which would be available for both men and women, Caldwell said.
All Women’s History Month events are free, unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, Feb. 27 – “Biblical Women and the Uses of Allure: Tamar, Judith, Esther and Salome,” a presentation about Biblical women by Ralph Williams, professor of English at the University of Michigan; 7:30 p.m., recital hall of Coulter Building.
Thursday, March 1 – Seventh annual Walk for Women; noon at the WCU Alumni Tower.
Also, Christine Kane in concert; 9 p.m., Club Illusions at the A.K. Hinds University Center, admission charge.
Friday, March 2 – Rap Session I, a session for women to discuss the issues that affect their lives, in the tradition of the Women’s Liberation Movement of the 1960s and 1970s; noon until 1:30 p.m., second floor of Hinds University Center. Men will have a separate session.
Monday, March 5 – WCU Women’s Center open house, focusing on women and wellness; 4 to 6 p.m., second floor of Hinds University Center.
Also, “Women and War: The Healing Process,” a presentation by Joan Furey, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Women Veterans; 6 to 9 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium at UNC-Asheville.
Also, “Many Strong and Beautiful Women,” a discussion and activities focusing on beauty and body image through the ages, led by Rebecca Caldwell of the WCU Women’s Center, June Wytock of WCU Counseling and Psychological Services, and Karen White of the University Health Center Women’s Clinic; 7 to 8:30 p.m., Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Tuesday, March 6 – Women’s Center Book Group, introduction and organizational meeting, with first selection, Susan Brownmiller’s In Our Time: Memoir of a Revolution; noon to 1:30 p.m., Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Also, “Women and War: The Healing Process,” a presentation by Joan Furey, director of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Center for Women Veterans; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Renaissance Hotel in Asheville, admission charge.
Wednesday, March 7 – “International Women,” with a panel of women from India, Kenya, Jamaica, China and other nations discussing the issues of women in their particular countries; 3:30 to 5 p.m., Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Also, “Women’s Health — Cross-Cultural Perspective,” with Lisa Lefler, WCU medical anthropologist, leading a discussion of issues affecting women’s health and the influence of culture, and including Amy Walker, a traditional Cherokee healer; 7 to 8:30 p.m., Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Thursday, March 8 – “On Love and Luck: A Conversation Between Contemporary Virtue Ethics and Feminist Ethics,” with Pamela Hall, associate professor in WCU’s department of philosophy and Emory University Institute for Women’s Studies faculty member, discussing the intersection between women’s studies topics and philosophical trends; 2 to 3 p.m., Catamount Room of Hinds University Center.
Friday, March 9 – Rap Session II, a continuation of the discussion about issues men and women face in their lives today; noon until 1:30 p.m., second floor of Hinds University Center.
Monday, March 19 – “Landmark Legal Decisions for Women,” a panel of lawyers and law professors discussing the cases that have changed women’s lives; 7 to 8:30 p.m., Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Tuesday, March 20 – “Does Size Really Matter?,” a panel discussion on the impact of breast size on adolescent development, dating relationships and workplace interactions; 7 to 9 p.m., Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Wednesday, March 21 – “Strangers in Good Company,” a movie and activities focusing on elderly women’s lives; 3 to 6 p.m., Blue Lobby of WCU’s Scott Hall.
Also, “If These Walls Could Talk,” movie and activities focusing on lesbian issues and rights over the last 50 years; 7 to 10 p.m., Club Illusions at Hinds University Center.
Also, “A Woman’s Voice,” a program on sexual harassment that will examine feedback from employees, friends and loved ones, and the resolution process, with a speaker providing the tools for resolution and action; 8 p.m., Blue Lobby of WCU’s Scott Hall.
Thursday, March 22 – “Career Challenges,” a panel discussion of issues facing men and women in the workplace in both traditional and nontraditional gender occupations; 3:30 to 5 p.m., Catamount Room of Hinds University Center.
Friday, March 23 – Rap Session III, a continued dialogue on issues men and women face in their lives today; noon until 1:30 p.m., second floor of Hinds University Center.
Monday, March 26 – Conference, “Gender in the Workplace,” a daylong workshop designed to address gender issues of sexual harassment, networking, business etiquette, team development and self-presentation. Lunch provided as part of registration fee; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Hinds University Center.
Tuesday, March 27 – “If These Walls Could Talk,” a movie and activities focusing on abortion issues over the last 50 years; 6 to 9 p.m., Club Illusions at Hinds University Center.
Also, “Women of Student Affairs,” a reception recognizing the contributions to Western by the women of the Division of Student Affairs; 2 to 3 p.m., Club Illusions at Hinds University Center.
Also, Angela E. Oh, noted author and civil rights attorney speaking on racial reconciliation; 7 p.m., auditorium of WCU’s Forsyth Building.
Wednesday, March 28 – “History of Social Workers Response to Women’s Issues,” a discussion of how the field of social work has contributed to the women’s movement and affected women’s issues; 3:30 to 5 p.m., McKee Building Room 171.
Also, WCU Women’s Center open house, focusing on women and creativity; 5 to 7 p.m., second floor of Hinds University Center.
Also, “Women’s Voices with a Southern Accent: Piano Music by Women Composers,” with Ruby Morgan, professor of music at Furman University, performing a variety of musical arrangements by female composers and leading a discussion; 8 p.m., recital hall of Coulter Building.
Thursday, March 29 – “If ‘She’ Were ‘He’ and If ‘He’ Were ‘She’,” a presentation and debate on situations in our history in which the question is asked, “If the woman had been a man or the man had been a woman, what would the response and outcome have been?”; 3:30 to 5 p.m., Catamount Room of Hinds University Center.
Also, “Female Filmmakers Throughout the Twentieth Century,” a discussion and review of films made by women for both Hollywood and political purposes; 7 to 8:30 p.m., Cardinal Room of Hinds University Center.
Also, “Two Thin”; 8 p.m., Grandroom of Hinds University Center.
Also, Leigh Hilger in concert; 9 p.m., Club Illusions at Hinds University Center, admission charge.
Friday, March 30 – “‘Rap’ Together,” the last rap session with men and women joining together and presenting the issues they have discussed during the past month; noon until 1:30 p.m., second floor of Hinds University Center.
For more information about Women’s History Month activities, in particular the March 26 “Gender in the Workplace” conference, contact Marilyn Chamberlin, assistant professor of anthropology and sociology, at (828) 227-3878.
