Women's Studies  A Month Celebrating Women  March 2004

Westfield State College hosted its second annual Month Celebrating Women from February 27th to March 31st, 2004, in cunjunction with National Women's History Month.  Faculty in related courses invited speakers in, showed films, and scheduled other activities related to women while opening their classes to the entire campus.  The Clothesline Project, a Poster Display, a Campus March and Candlelight Vigil as well as a Health Fair, Coffeehouse, and Recognition Banquet were also scheduled.

Friday & Saturday, February 27 & 28
• 7 p.m.           "The Vagina Monologues"    (Dever Auditorium, Parenzo Hall)

Admission:  $2 with student ID, $3 general admission
A poignant and hilarious tour of the ultimate forbidden zone, this phenomenal Obie Award-winning play by Eve Ensler is a celebration of female sexuality in all its complexity and mystery.  Based on interviews with over 200 women about their reflections on sexuality, The Vagina Monologues is witty and irreverent, compassionate and wise.  A staged reading directed and performed by Westfield State College students. Proceeds benefit the New Beginnings shelter in Westfield.


Tuesday, March 2

• 10 a.m.-4 p.m.       Clothesline Project                [Campus Green (If Rain-Ely Main Lounge)]
T-shirts become canvases for women whose lives have been scarred by violence, expressing their thoughts and feelings, helping with healing, and raising public awareness.
• 12:45 - 2:00        Open Class:    Introduction to Women’s Studies:  "Family"
Professor Erika Pilver    (Parenzo 202)
Wednesday, March 3
• Poster Display (throughout the month)         (Ely Campus Center)
Posters created by Westfield State College students, celebrating women’s history and the accomplishments of individual women.  Competition with cash prizes for the most effective posters.
• 10 a.m.-4 p.m.    Clothesline Project                [Campus Green (If Rain-Ely Main Lounge)]
T-shirts become canvases for women whose lives have been scarred by violence, expressing their thoughts and feelings, helping with healing, and raising public awareness.
• 1:40 - 4:10        Open Class: “Women and Revolution”
Professor Elise Young  (Bates 218)
• 7:30 p.m.          Four Hearts Changing           (Scanlon Banquet Hall)
In this interactive theater production on dating violence, the stories of two couples hint at “something not quite right”:  does he really batter her, or is she making it up?  Presented by Equalogy, a professional theater company, and sponsored by the Westfield State College Counseling Center.   Admission free.
Thursday, March 4
• 12:45 - 2:00        Open Class:    Introduction to Women’s Studies: "Religion"
Professor Erika Pilver    (Parenzo 202)
• 4:00 -              “Keeping Your FOCUS – Achieving Your Highest Priorities” LEAP  (Ely Third World Room)
• 5:00 - 7:00         Just a Taste:  Mastering Mingling and Merlot for Professional Success  (Scanlon Banquet Hall)
Westfield State College students only—must be at least age 21.
Accepting donations at the door to support breast cancer research.
Westfield State College women of the Class of ’04 were invited to a wine-tasting reception with several recent Westfield State College graduates. Students learned about starting a career as they networked with young alumnae in fields such as teaching, business, and communication.  Plus, they experienced a professional approach to social situations with guidelines on networking from Sally Fuller, Community Relations Officer of United Bank, and advice from expert Mark Platt of Banfi Vintners, who will lead an introduction to selecting and savoring fine wines.
• 7:00                 “Drunk Driver”  Mark Sterner  (Dever Auditorium)


Friday, March 5

• 11:00 - 12:00       Brown Bag BINGO     (Ely Main Lounge)
Monday, March 8
• 7:00 - 8:30         International Women’s Day Forum           (Scanlon Banquet Hall A)
Round-table discussion of current women’s issues around the globe.
Allisa Klein reported on her work with Israeli women's peace organizations. A dual US-Israeli citizen, she served in the Israeli army and has lived, studied, and worked in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. In recent years, Alisa organized a Northampton-based week-long fast in solidarity with the Palestinian people, served as a mentor for the Kopkind Colony's Eqbal Ahmed Initiative on Palestine and Israel, and is currently an organizer of the Western, MA Palestinian Film Festival. She had recently returned from five weeks in the West Bank where she worked as a co-facilitator of non-violent resistance training for the International Women's Peace Service (IWPS).  Also participating was Professor Ricki Kantrowitz reporting on the 48th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and Professor Elise Young reporting on the Global Women's History Conference.                    Admission free.
Tuesday, March 9
• 11:30  – 2:30      StaySafe! Workshop (Ely Campus Center, Third World Room)
The New England Safety Outreach, Inc. (NEWSO) presented an overview of personal safety and crime prevention.   Admission free.
• 12:45 - 2:00        Open Class:    Introduction to Women’s Studies:  Health & Reproductive Freedom
Professor Erika Pilver    (Parenzo 202)
Wednesday, March 10
• 11:30 – 3:30         Unarmed Self-Defense Workshop
Westfield State College students only; pre-registration required
The New England Safety Outreach, Inc. (NEWSO) offered instruction on techniques the novice can use to ward off violent assault, even against a larger attacker.
• 6:00 - 8:00          A Guest Lecture Series:  Guerrilla Girls on Tour          (Dever Auditorium)
This performance ensemble melds madcap humor and a mission. The group had its genesis in the mid-1980s, when seven anonymous female artists donned gorilla masks and took to the streets, theaters, and galleries in pointed yet zany protest of the lack of women, and other under-represented populations, in New York City’s establishment art world.  Today, they assume the personae of history-making feminists to challenge stereotypes and open minds in a sassy, semi-surreal show that combines satire, surprise, and savvy.  Their workshops and Q&A sessions urge audiences to “realize the importance of diversity in the world and embrace it.”
Admission free.
Thursday, March 11
• 12:45 - 2:00        Open Class:    Introduction to Women’s Studies:    Health & Reproductive Freedom
Professor Erika Pilver    (Parenzo 202)
• 7:00 +              St. Augustine, Trinidad Steel Band   University of the West Indies  (Ely Main Lounge)
Tuesday, March 23
• 12:45 - 2:00        Open Class:    Introduction to Women’s Studies: “Examining the Knapsack of Privilege”
Professor Erika Pilver    (Parenzo 202)
• 3:45 - 5:00          Open Class:     “A Day in the Life of a Stay-at-Home Dad”
Guest Speaker:  Mark Brocu. Professor Jeanne Humphrey, Women's Studies    (Wilson 302)
• 6:00 - 8:30          "Professional Women of Excellence:  Leaders Achieving Success in Our Community"
(Scanlon Banquet Hall)
Guests:  Sonia Correa-Pope, Upward Bound Program Director; Evelyn Harris, Activist/Musician; Isabel Morales, Director, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Hampden County;  Dora Robinson, Director, Martin Luther King Center.
Focusing on their personal experiences, women of color explored themes of gender, race, and economic status.  Representing the fields of public administration, education, medicine, and performing arts, four panelists discussed how these factors influence their personal and professional paths. The program aimed at strengthening bonds between aspiring leaders—students in particular — and professionals in the community as these women shared their valuable life experiences and served as role models.         Admission free.


Wednesday, March 24

• 10 a.m.- 2:00          Health Fair           (Ely Campus Center)
Health-related information, activities, and food, with guest vendors such as day spas, chiropractic health centers, nutrition emporiums, physical therapists, sports rehab clinics, pharmaceutical companies, yoga studios, and organizations including the Girl Scouts, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Noble Hospital’s Women’s Health Center, Northeast HIV Prevention Network, Planned Parenthood, the Westfield Fire Department, Womanshelter/Companeras, and much, much more!    Admission free
• 11:30 – 3:30         Unarmed Self-Defense Workshop
Westfield State College students only; pre-registration required
The New England Safety Outreach, Inc. (NEWSO) offered instruction on techniques the novice could use to ward off violent assault, even against a larger attacker.
• 1:40 - 2:20          Open Class   “Political Leadership: Persistent Exclusions"
Professor Marotta, Political Studies         (Wilson 403)
• 1:40 - 2:20          Open Class    “Comfort Women”
Professor Kantrowitz, Psychology         (Bates 225)
• 3:45 – 5:45         Film and discussion:  Radical Harmonies     (Scanlon Banquet Hall C)
This prize-winning documentary by Academy Award-winning director Dee Mosbacher traced the history, politics, and impact of “women’s music” from the 1970s. Through concert footage and interviews—featuring folk and world artists, punk grrl bands, jazz artists, rock, classical, and more—attendees learned about the performing and songwriting pioneers who paved the way for stars like Ani Difranco and Sarah McLaughlin. June Millington, one of the artists featured in the film, led the discussion.          Admission free
Thursday, March 25
• 11:30 - 3:30         Unarmed Self-Defense Workshop   (Wellness Center)
Westfield State College students only; pre-registration required
The New England Safety Outreach, Inc. (NEWSO) offered instruction on techniques the novice could use to ward off violent assault, even against a larger attacker.
• 11:15 - 12:35        Open Class: Senior Seminar:  "Women's Studies as a Minor"
Professor Vanessa Diana, English/Women's Studies     (Women Studies Office, Parenzo Lobby)
• 12:45 - 2:00          Open Class:    Introduction to Women’s Studies:
“Examining the Knapsack of Privilege”
Professor Erika Pilver    (Parenzo 202)
• 2:15 - 3:30          Open Class:    Women and Violence:
"Reproductive Rights & the March to Save Women's Lives"
Guest Speaker:  Misty Perez, Planned Parenthood.  Prof. Jeanne Humphrey   (Ely 303)
• 3:45 –5:00           Film and discussion:  "Radical Harmonies"         (Scanlon Banquet Hall A)
This prize-winning documentary by Academy Award-winning director Dee Mosbacher traced the history, politics, and impact of “women’s music” from the 1970s. Through concert footage and interviews—featuring folk and world artists, punk grrl bands, jazz artists, rock, classical, and more—attendees learned about the performing and songwriting pioneers who paved the way for stars like Ani Difranco and Sarah McLaughlin. June Millington, one of the artists featured in the film, led the discussion.
Admission free.
• 8:00 +                  Card and Game Night  (Ely Third World Room)


Friday, March 26

• 11:00 - 12:00       Brown Bag BINGO     (Ely Main Lounge)
• 6 p.m.               Banquet Honoring Women*                    (Scanlon Banquet Hall)
A special event for members of the college community and those inspirational women whose lives set an example through courage, determination, wisdom, caring or daring. The keynote speaker was Dr. Vanessa Holford Diana, Coordinator, Women’s Studies Program, Westfield State College.              (*by invitation only)


Tuesday, March 30

• 12:45 - 2:00          Open Class:    "For What do We Hunger?  Women & Eating Disorders"
Guest Speaker:  Jennifer Jondreau, Professor Jeanne Humphrey, Women's Studies   (Wilson 302)
• 12:45 - 2:00          Open Class:    Introduction to Women’s Studies:
“Examining the Knapsack of Privilege”
Professor Erika Pilver    (Parenzo 202)

PLUS:
T-shirts and buttons!
Contest for the 2004 logo!
Poster display throughout March!

Thanks to:

The Office of Academic Affairs
The Month Celebrating Women Committee
All the Faculty, Staff, and Students who helped to make this possible!

Page maintained by Corinne Ebbs