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Author, lecturer, and women’s rights activist, Katherine Arnoldi will talk about her latest book and discuss how and why she became an activist for equal rights education for teenage and low-income single mothers noon-1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29 in the Interfaith Chapel.
Lunch will be available for $3 and the event is co-sponsored by the Women’s Studies program, Department of English, and Office of Religious Life.
Arnoldi is the author of the award-winning graphic novel The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom. In this comic-book style novel, Arnoldi shares her own story. She talks about both the joys and challenges of being a young single mother; tells how she dealt with child abuse, an abusive boyfriend, and sexist employers; and stresses that there are resources that allow young single mothers to attend college or training programs that lead to rewarding, decently paying jobs.
“Katherine Arnoldi is both a talented artist and an inspirational activist for social justice. Through her public talks and writings, Arnoldi exposes the inaccuracy of the stereotype of the irresponsible, foolish, and sexually promiscuous teenaged single mother,” says Deborah Byrd, associate professor of English. “She also challenges us to use our intellectual and creative talents to combat such issues as poverty, male violence against women, and exploitative labor practices. Both students interested in the arts and those interested in public policy and political activism should find her talk enlightening and enjoyable.”
Byrd is teaching Arnoldi’s graphic novel this semester in Single Motherhood in the Contemporary U.S.: Myths and Realities. In this upper-level service-learning course, 17 students support local single mothers at the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children and Easton Area High School by sponsoring artistic, educational, and recreational programs. They also provide tutoring and create and distribute a Parenting Resource Manual for the women.
There will be a pizza party and informal discussion with Arnoldi 6-9 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Third Street Alliance for Women and Children. Women from the area can come and listen to Arnoldi speak while Lafayette students watch and play with their children.
Arnoldi, once a teenage single mother herself, is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in creative writing at the State University of New York at Binghamton. The Amazing True Story of a Teenage Single Mom is being made into a movie by the same production company that made the films Seabiscuit and Munich. She also has published Guide to Colleges for Young Mothers. Through her writings, website, meetings with politicians, and appearances on radio and TV, Arnoldi tries to ensure that young mothers have the same right to education as others.