2004-2005 News Releases

News Releases

Women’s History Month at USM

February 21, 2006

The University of Southern Maine is planning to celebrate Women’s History Month with events spanning the entire month. From a conference on New Deal economics and an art exhibit exploring sexual and gender identity, to USM’s annual Women’s History Month Dinner, there is an event for anyone interested in learning more about the role of women in the world.

The celebration begins on March 1 with a musical monodrama, “Dreadful Sorry Guys,” written and performed by Claudia Stevens. This performance was inspired the northern California murders of her friends, Gary Matson and Winfield Mowder, who were targeted because they were gay. The 7 p.m. performance takes place in the Hannaford Lecture Hall in USM’s Abromson Center, Portland, and is free and open to the public. For additional information, see http://www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/releases_0506/cstevens.htm.

A conference on USM’s Portland campus will commemorate Frances Perkins, the first woman cabinet member appointed Secretary of Labor by Franklin D. Roosevelt during the New Deal. Slated for Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18 the conference will feature luncheon keynote addresses by Susan Ware, author of “Feminism, and New Deal Politics,” and Jamie Galbraith, University of Texas, Austin. Registration is $30 for the public, with discounts available. Call 780-4289 for registration materials.

A juried USM student exhibit, “Pink is the New Black,” will be on display Friday, March 3 to Friday, March 31 on the 5th floor of the Glickman Family Library in Portland. The exhibit is free and open to the public during library hours. All the works in exhibit explore sexual and gender identity. A faculty discussion on these themes will be led by Associate Professor of English Lisa Walker, Assistant Professor of Art Joel Seah, and Associate Professor of Sociology Wendy Chapkis, at 5 p.m., on Thursday, March 9, in Room 423, Glickman Family Library, Portland. This event also is free and open to the public.

A complete list of Women’s History Month events appears below.

USM Women’s History Month Events

If you need special accommodations to participate fully in these programs, contact the number following each event. Persons who are hard of hearing or deaf can call USM's TTY number, 780-5646.

Wednesday, March 1
Women’s History Month performance of the one-woman show by Claudia Stevens, “Dreadful Sorry Guys,” FMI see: http://www.usm.maine.edu/mcr/news/releases_0506/cstevens.htm, 7 p.m., Hannaford Lecture Hall, Abromson Center, Portland, free and open to the public, 780-4289.

Friday, March 3- Friday, March 31
Exhibit, “Pink is the New Black,” juried student exhibit of works that explore sexual and gender identity, 5th floor, Glickman Family Library, Portland, free and open to the public during library hours, 780-4270.

Thursday, March 9
Women’s History Month discussion about the exhibit “Pink is the New Black,” featuring Lisa Walker, Joel Seah, and Wendy Chapkis, 5 p.m., Room 423, Glickman Family Library, Portland, free and open to the public, 780-4289.

Friday, March 17-Saturday, March 18
Women’s History Month conference on the Portland campus, “Commemorating Frances Perkins,” featuring a Friday luncheon keynote by Susan Ware, author of “Feminism, and New Deal Politics,” and Saturday luncheon keynote by Jamie Galbraith, University of Texas, Austin. $30 public/$15 USM/SMCC students, for registration information see http://www.usm.maine.edu/history/commemorating_frances_perkins.htm, or call 780-4289.

Friday, March 17
Women’s History Month Reception, 4-5:30 p.m., Woodbury Campus Center, Portland, free and open to the public, 780-4289.

Friday, March 17
Women’s History Month Awards Dinner, featuring a theatrical performance, 6-8 p.m., Woodbury Campus Center, Portland, $15 public, $9 students, 780-4289.

Thursday, March 23
Women’s History Month lecture and discussion, “History of Maine Women: Where are the Franco-American Women?” led by Rhea Cote Robbins, Franco-American Women’s Institute, 4:15 p.m., Room 313, Bailey Hall, Gorham, free and open to the public, 780-4289.

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