March is Women’s History Month and IVCC will have a full calendar of events, sponsored by Diversity Team, SAGE, the World Language Organization, College Democrats, and the Student Government Association. The theme for this year is “Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment.”
According to Professor Kimberly Radek, it is a balanced program with eight events planned this month. Presenters are: Professor Christine Foster, Professor Vince Brolley, Professor Anna Marie Pietroleonardo, Associate Vice President for Student Services Tracy Morris, Professor Sue Caley Opsal, Professor Amanda Cook- Fesperman and Professor Radek.
“I never considered the idea of gender in Science Fiction until I was doing research for two of my classes,” Cook-Fesperman said. “Women were only shown as empowered when they were sexualized. I hope my talk gets people thinking. Why, in science fiction, when we can create any world we wish, do we limit women? Why don’t we reimagine?”
The schedule of remaining events is:
Thursday, March 8 – “She-speak and Related Implications on the Balance of Power, World Peace, and Human Survival.”
Monday, March 12 – “A Woman’s Beauty: Put Down or Power Source”
Wednesday, March 14 – “Women in STEM: Progress and Challenges”
Monday, March 19 – “Gendered Cylons: Portrayals of Women in Science Fiction”
Thursday, March 22 – The Importance of Representation: The Tangled Complexity of Gender, Health Care, Politics, and Religious Freedom”
The sessions will all be conducted over the lunch hour and attendees are invited to bring their lunch. All events are free and open to the public. All take place in Room C-316 at noon.