Women’s History Celebration Continues at UMaine
Contact: George Manlove at (207) 581-3756
ORONO — Women as patriots, women of the civil rights movement, women as authors, artists, musicians, film producers, revolutionaries, women as survivors.
The University of Maine’s celebration of women’s history continues this week with a series of lectures, films and presentations around the Orono campus and with a special women’s art exhibit at the Bodwell Lounge area at the Maine Center for the Arts.
Titled “Women Freedom Fighters: The True Patriots,” the University of Maine Women’s History Celebration 2004 is sponsored by the Women in the Curriculum and Women’s Studies Program. All events are public and free, unless otherwise noted.
“The theme is particularly relevant in times of rising militarism,” according to Mazie Hough, associate director Women in the Curriculum, “when women’s roles are often obscured. We think throughout history, throughout the world, women have spoken very articulately about how human rights need to be preserved.”
In choosing the presenters and presentations, organizers looked for a wide variety of ways to explore and express that concept.
The program — drawing from the expertise of many Maine scholars and writers, and of other national authorities — is an opportunity for the university to use its resources to help assemble, identify and articulate the contributions women have made and continue to make.
Women have expressed their values and ideas through a variety of media, not merely words, Hough says, which is why the month-long celebration includes film, artwork, books and music, in addition to scholarly analysis of women’s issues.
“This covers a variety of ways in which women can speak out,” she says.
Hough is pleased that this year’s program includes so many Maine authors.
“We love to draw from the expertise from within our own campus, particularly among the women’s studies faculty,” she says.
The program began March 15 and coincided with the opening of a special exhibit, “Activism Through Art: Feminist Posters Past and Present,” at Bodwell Lounge. The posters will be up until May 1, according to curator Gretchen Faulkner, director of the UMaine Hudson Museum.
Films included in the program are, on March 25, “Fidel: The Untold Story,” a Cuban film directed by Estela Bravo, who examines Fidel Castro’s life through historic events and interviews with people including Angela Davis and Alice Walker. Another, on March 29, is “Ma Vie En Rose,” a movie about a young French boy who thinks he was mistakenly born a girl instead of a boy. The film examines gender roles.
On April 5, the film “Antonia’s Line” depicts the story of a strong-willed, nonconforming Dutch woman and her descendants.
On April 1, award-winning journalist Jean Hay Bright will discuss the writing of her most recent book, which provides a fascinating look a both homesteading and the lives and work of Helen and Scott Nearing. This year was the 100th anniversary of the late author-activist Helen Nearing’s birth.
The schedule for the remainder of the program follows:
March 25
Feminist Activism Through Art
This panel explores the numerous and varied ways feminist artists pursue social change. Included on the panel will be Assistant Professors of Art Constant Albertson and Andy Mauery, and Kris Sader, an independent artist, 3:30 p.m., Hudson Museum, Maine Center for the Arts
“Fidel: the Untold Story”
A Cuban film directed by Estela Bravo, recently recognized as “witness of her time,” offers a close look at Fidel Castro through historical footage and interviews with Alice Walker, Angela Davis and others. 7 p.m., 110 Little Hall. (MPAC’s Peace and Justice Film Series)
March 27
Spruce Run Chocolate Buffet Benefit
This annual event features musical entertainment by the Athena Consort and a delicious chocolate buffet. Proceeds benefit Spruce Run Association. For tickets ($15/person, $5 for children under 12) and information, call Spruce Run, 945-5102, or Ann Schonberger 581-1229 (days), 942-4055 (nights) 7 p.m., University College Center, Bangor Campus, 201 Texas Ave., Bangor
March 29
“Ma Vie En Rose”
In this French film (1997) Ludovic, a young boy, believes that he has mistakenly been made a girl instead of a boy. The film questions the roles of gender, and what it means to be a male or a female. 3:10 p.m. Lecture by Laura Lindenfeld Sher, 4 p.m. Screening 115 Donald P. Corbett Business Building
March 30
Still Chilly? Undergraduate Women’s Perceptions of Classroom Environments
Elizabeth Allan, assistant professor, Higher Education Leadership, and Mary Madden, assistant research professor, College of Education and Human Development, share the results of their research on the academic climate for women students. 12:15 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Memorial Union
March 31
Tina Modotti: Between Art and Revolution
In this, her latest book, Letizia Argenteri, professor of history at San Diego Mesa College, analyzes the life of the Italian actress, seamstress, photographer and communist revolutionary Tina Modotti, who took part in the Spanish Civil War and social upheavals in early 20th Century Mexico. 3:15 p.m., Bangor Lounge, Memorial Union, (a History Department Symposium)
April 1
….Meanwhile Next Door to the Good Life (talk and book signing)
Jean Hay Bright, award-winning journalist, will discuss the writing of her most recent book which provides a fascinating insider’s view of both homesteading and of Maine’s Scott and Helen Nearing, who promoted rural self sufficiency in their books and to thousands of drop-in visitors. 4 p.m., Coe Room, Memorial Union
April 5
“Antonia’s Line”
Marleen Gorris’s Oscar-winning film (Holland, 1995) offers a magical exploration of the life of a strong-minded, nonconforming Dutch woman and her descendants as she carved out a life for herself. 3:10 p.m. Lecture by Laura Lindenfeld Sher, 4 p.m. Screening 115 Donald P. Corbett Business Building
All events are physically accessible. For more information or to request accommodation, please call 581-1228. The program schedule and the women’s studies program at UMaine are available at the Women in the Curriculum website at: www.umaine.edu/wic.
Additional sponsors of the program include the UMaine Cultural Affairs Committee, the Distinguished Lecture Series, the Arthur R. Lord Fund, the Class of 1934 Fund, the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Office of the Vice President for Research, Ann Margaret Johnstone Memorial Lecture Fund, The Student Entertainment and Student Government, Inc., UMaine’s Multicultural Programs, Department of Communication and Journalism and the Maine Peace