Women’s Studies Lunch Series Offers Diverse Topics, Discussions
Contact: Ann Schonberger, (207) 581-1228; George Manlove, (207) 581-3756
ORONO — Women working in the woods, on the water, in science labs and in other traditionally male careers are among the subjects for the Spring 2005 Lunch Series talks presented by the UMaine Women in the Curriculum and Women’s Studies Program.
Speakers in the spring program also include Mary Bonauto, director of the Civil Rights Project at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, and lead attorney in the recent Massachusetts gay marriage case, in addition to University of Maine students, faculty and staff.
Ann Schonberger, director of the Women in the Curriculum and Women’s Studies Program, says this semester’s program takes on an environmental focus, with several speakers discussing such topics as women’s perceptions of femininity in the wilderness and women who have become successful in biological sciences, forestry, lobstering and even fly fishing.
Schonberger is particularly enthusiastic with two series programs: Bonauto’s appearance during Pride Week at UMaine and a discussion April 26 of cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber’s book, “Living Downstream,” two days before Steingraber visits UMaine as an Honors College speaker.
All lunch series programs are held 12:15-1:30 p.m. on Tuesdays or Wednesdays in the Bangor Room of the Memorial Union and are free and open to the public.
“The WIC Lunch Series is one of the oldest and most visible aspects of our program,” Schonberger says. “The series features weekly lectures, panels and performances that reflect current scholarship on women’s issues. It also provides visiting scholars, university faculty, staff, students and others in the wider community an opportunity to present their work to a diverse audience.”
The schedule is as follows:
Feb. 9 — “Mapping Pasts, Changing Futures: Learning from Third-Wave Jewish Feminism,” Sandra Berkowitz-Stafford, associate professor , communication and journalism, Laura Lindenfeld, research associate at the Margaret Chase Smith Center and instructor, women’s studies and Jewish studies.
Feb. 16 — “Award-winning Scientists Reflect on their Careers,” with Susan Brawley, professor, plant biology, School of Marine Sciences, Laura Kenefic, assistant research professor, forest ecosystem science and research forester, U.S.D.A. Forest Service.
Feb. 23 — “Challenging Girls’ Constructions of Femininity in the Wilderness,” Anja Whittington, graduate student, education.
March 15 — “Into the Woods: Maine Women Workers Now and in the Past,” Vivianne Holmes, associate extension educator, cooperative extension, Julia Hunter of the Maine State Museum and co-author of “Fly Rod Crosby: the Woman Who Marketed Maine,” and Pauleena MacDougall, associate director, the Maine Folklife Center.
March 22 — “Flute Music by Women Composers,” a program of music history and performance, with Laura Artesani, instructor, music and women’s studies, assistant chair of music, Elizabeth Downing, coordinator, new student programs and flautist and piccolo player in the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, and UMaine music students.
March 29 — “Performance as Feminist Activism,” Elizabeth Whitney, independent scholar and artist.
April 6 — “The Future of Marriage Equality in New England: Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine,” Maine resident Mary Bonauto, director of the Civil Rights Project at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD). (Part of Pride Week)
April 13 — “Unlocking Your Story: Performing Women’s Personal Narratives,” Marcia Douglas, assistant professor and chair of theatre, School of Performing Arts.
April 20 — “‘Just Call Me a Lobsterman:’ Women in the Lobster Industry,” Catherine Billings, assistant director for communications and development, College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture.
April 26 — “Why is the Spring So Silent? Reflections on ‘Living Downstream’ by Sandra Steingraber,” with Sandra Haggard, associate professor, biological sciences and women’s studies at University College of Bangor, Sharon Tisher, instructor, resource economics and policy and honors program lecturer, with Anatole Wieck, associate professor, music, performing music inspired by Steingraber’s book.
Additional information about the series is available here.