Bernice Johnson Reagon Keynotes Women's Month
Alma College observes Women’s Month in March with events focused on the theme “Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination.”
The keynote speaker is legendary activist, scholar and artist Bernice Johnson Reagon, who demonstrates the power and instruction of traditional African American music and cultural history. Reagon speaks at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 in the Remick Heritage Center. Admission is free and open to the public; no ticket is required.
Reagon is recognized nationally as a major cultural voice for freedom and justice for more than 45 years. She sings, teaches and speaks out against racism and organized inequities of all kinds.
Bernice Johnson Reagon
A graduate of Howard University and a founding member of the Atlanta-based Harambee Singers, Reagon is Professor Emeritus of History at American University and Curator Emeritus at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. In addition, she served as the 2002-04 Cosby Chair of Fine Arts at Spelman College in Atlanta.
“It is critical to recognize women’s voices, visions, accomplishments and issues,” says Joanne Gilbert, the Charles A. Dana Professor of Communications at Alma College. “The fact that there is a month of targeted programming to bring awareness to those issues is a central part of any educational agenda.”
Other Women’s Month events include a Women and Religion panel discussion. Guest panelists include Cantor Pamela Schiffer of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Whitney Belprez of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute in Grand Rapids, and Fairouz Kamal of the Masjid At-Tawheed Islamic Mosque and Religious Institute in Grand Rapids.
The screening of the film “Running in High Heels” will introduce viewers to themes of women’s voice and actions in politics. The film depicts a campaign of a women running for political office in New York City and the women around her explaining women’s role in politics.
Alma College students have presented productions of “The Vagina Monologues” since 2002. The efforts have raised funds for the local Women’s Aid organization in conjunction with the V-day campaign. Sharing women’s stories as a way to resist the status quo surrounding sexual abuse, Eve Ensler’s award-winning play explores the language discussed around women’s bodies, and the discomfort, embarrassment and even shame this causes women to feel.
“There is a real activist bent to this year’s Women’s Month events; it is very important that students are exposed to activism and advocacy because it is one way students can learn that they can make a difference in the world,” says Gilbert.
All Women’s Month events at Alma College are free and open to the public unless otherwise indicated.
Women’s Month Events at Alma College
March 6/Sodexo, Alma College’s food services partner, sponsors an International Women’s Day Tea with Alma attorney and college trustee Nancy Gallagher from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 in the Tyler-Van Dusen Dining Room. Admission is $5; students and staff may use munch money or bill their budgeted accounts.
March 6/Legendary activist, scholar and artist Bernice Johnson Reagon inspires audiences with a moving mixture of song and spoken word. She keynotes Women’s Month at Alma College. The presentation takes place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 6 in the Remick Heritage Center.
March 8/The Clothesline Project, a visual display that bears witness to many forms of violence perpetrated against women and children, is presented from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 8 in the Dow Science Center Lobby.
March 8-10/Alma College students present “The Vagina Monologues” at 8 p.m. Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9 and 3 p.m. Sunday, March 10 in the Dow Science Center Room L-1. Sharing women’s stories as a way to resist social stigma surrounding sexual abuse, Eve Ensler’s award-winning play explores the language used to discuss women’s bodies.
March 13/The screening of the film “Running in High Heels” takes place at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 in the Swanson Academic Center Room 304. The 2005 film describes the differences between what women say and do in politics.
March 21/A Women and Religion panel discussion begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21 in Dow Science Center Room L-2. The panelists include Cantor Pamela Schiffer of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in East Lansing, Whitney Belprez of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute in Grand Rapids, and Fairouz Kamal of the Masjid At-Tawheed Islamic Mosque and Religious Institute in Grand Rapids.
March 23-24/Relay for Life, the annual 24-hour fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 23 in the Stone Recreation Center.
March 28/Feminist Free Writing, a group writing activity in which individuals add to each other’s written works, begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 28 in the MacCurdy House at Alma College.
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Posted: Fri, February 22nd, 2013 at 8:52AM
