This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Lafayette’s celebration of Women’s History Month features a keynote talk by essayist bell hooks and many other events.
The celebration begins Feb. 28 and March 1 with discussions of art with Karima Muyaes, whose exhibit of paintings “Reflexiones del color” is on view through March 9 at the Williams Center for the Arts. On March 1 Muyaes will also lead a printmaking workshop at Lafayette’s Experimental Printmaking Institute.
Hooks will speak on “Ending Domination: Race, Gender, and Class” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the auditorium of Kirby Hall of Civil Rights. Acclaimed as one of the nation’s top intellectuals by Atlantic Monthly, she the author of more than 17 books, including Salvation: Black People and Love, published in January by William Morrow & Co. She was named one of Utne Reader’s “100 Visionaries Who Could Change Your Life.” Previously an English professor at Yale University and Oberlin College, hooks is now a Distinguished Professor of English at City College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York.
Among other highlights, artist and author Faith Ringgold will give a reading, participate in an open-conversation hour, and have a book signing on March 22. Since 1968, Ringgold has been featured in a number of individual shows, and her paintings are included in the collections of the Chase Manhattan Bank, New York City; the Museum of Modern Art; the Bank Street College of Education, New City; and Melvin van Peebles. In 1972, Ringgold become one of the founders of the Women Students and Artists for Black Liberation, an organization whose principal goal is to ensure that all exhibitions of black artists give equal space to paintings by men and women.
Throughout March, there will be special exhibits in celebration of Women’s History Month at Skillman Library and the Lafayette College Store.
Women’s History Month is sponsored by the Women’s Studies program in conjunction with the following:
Student organizations: The Panhellenic Council, BASIC (Body Acceptance and Self Image on Campus), QUEST, Hillel, Lafayette Activities Forum, Women in Leadership at Lafayette, the Association for Lafayette Women, and NIA;
Academic departments, programs, and institutes: Ethics Project, Experimental Printmaking Institute, Skillman Library, the Grier Lecture Fund, the LVAIC Women’s Studies Coalition, Williams Center for the Arts, Williams Center Gallery, the Jewish Studies program, and the Departments of Art, English, Government and Law, and Philosophy;
Administrative offices: Chaplain’s Office, Counseling Center, Office of Student Residence, and Office of Intercultural Development.
For more information, call Deborah Byrd, associate professor of English and coordinator of Women’s Studies, (610) 330-5238.
Here is the full calendar events for Women’s History Month at Lafayette:
Through March 9 – Exhibit: “Reflexiones del color,” paintings by Karima Muyaes, Williams Center for the Arts gallery
Wednesday, February 28, noon — Discussion with artist Karima Muyaes, Williams Center for the Arts room 108.
Thursday, March 1, 10 a.m. — Discussion of book art with Karima Muyaes, Williams Center for the Arts room 108.
Thursday, March 1, 1-4 p.m. — Monoprint workshop with Karima Muyaes, The Experimental Printmaking Institute, 421 Hamilton St.
Friday, March 2, noon — Brown bag discussion: “Money Matters: The Impact of Campaign Contributors on Politics in the U.S.,” Alexandra Cooper, Lafayette assistant professor government and law, Interfaith Chapel, Hogg Hall
Friday, March 2, noon — Brown bag panel discussion: “Helping a Friend,” on how to help a friend struggling with an eating disorder, Marlo Room West, Farinon College Center
Tuesday, March 6, noon — Multimedia presentation: “Media Madness: Images of Women,” Madeleine Langman, Bailey Health Center counselor, Limburg Theater, Farinon College Center
Wednesday, March 7, noon — Discussion with artist and architect Kumi Korf, Williams Center for the Arts room 108
Wednesday, March 7, 8 p.m. – Concert: Anonymous 4 and the Chillingirian String Quartet, Williams Center for the Arts. Pre-concert lecture by Ellis Finger, Williams Center director, at 7 p.m.
Thursday, March 8, 7:30 p.m. – Lecture: “Feminism, Pornography, and Censorship: Where are we Now?” Lori Gruen, assistant professor of philosophy, Wesleyan University, Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104
Wednesday, March 21, noon — Brown bag discussion: “Stereotypes at Lafayette,” Marlo Room West, Farinon College Center
Wednesday, March 21, 8 p.m. – Film, “If These Walls Could Talk,” Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104
Thursday, March 22, 10 a.m. — Children’s reading: artist and author Faith Ringgold, Skillman Library
Thursday, March 22, 11 a.m. — Open conversation hour with Faith Ringgold, David A. Portlock Black Cultural Center
Thursday, March 22, 2 p.m. — Book signing: Faith Ringgold, Lafayette College Store
Friday, March 23, noon – Talk: “HIV and STDs: An Update for Women,” Cindy Adams, Lafayette health promotion coordinator, Interfaith Chapel
Saturday, March 24, 10 p.m. – Performance: Beth Wood, Gilbert’s
Monday, March 26, 7 p.m. – Talk: “Date Rape: How I Never Wanted to Spend Last Saturday Night,” certified therapist Robin K. Blake, Keefe Hall Commons
Tuesday, March 27, 4 p.m. — Open Conversation House with Women’s History Month keynote speaker bell hooks, Interfaith Chapel
Tuesday, March 27, 7:30 p.m. — Keynote lecture: “Ending Domination: Race, Gender, and Class,” bell hooks, Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104
Wednesday, March 28, 8 p.m. – Film: “If These Walls Could Talk Two,” Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104
Thursday, March 29, 7:30 p.m. — Reading: “The Road to Fez,” author Ruth Setton, part-time visiting instructor of English, Interfaith Chapel, Hogg Hall
Friday, March 30, 10 p.m. — Performance: Heather Kropf, Gilbert’s
Saturday, March 31, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — 7th Annual LVAIC Undergraduate Conference in Women’s Studies, Moravian College
Sunday, April 1, 1 p.m. – Benefit: Basket Bingo for Breast Cancer, sponsored by Lafayette sororities and, Easton Eagles (doors open at noon). Call (610) 330-5557 for ticket information.
Wednesday, April 4, 8 p.m. — “Images of Success,” praising the inner qualities, achievements, and goals of nominated students, Gilbert’s
Thursday, April 5, 7:30 p.m. – Theatrical performance: “Women of Valor,” Henrietta Szold, Williams Center for the Arts
Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. – Lecture: “Rape, Sexual Assault and the Twilight Zone: When Sex is Unwanted but not Unlawful,” Stephen J. Schulhofer, University of Chicago Law School, Kirby Hall of Civil Rights room 104
Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21 — Leadership Symposium sponsored by Women in Leadership at Lafayette and NIA.