Women's History Month to entertain, enlighten

   Oakland University’s 2009 celebration of Women’s History Month includes a variety of entertaining, informative and inspirational events centering on the theme of “Love and Sex.” Coordinated by OU’s Gender & Sexuality Center, the events are designed to promote an inclusive campus community that supports gender equality and awareness.
   “We really wanted to make this a fun, but also informative Women’s History Month that would really capture the attention of our students and others,” said Joann Bautti-Roche, coordinator of the Gender & Sexuality Center. “It has a lot of very informative and teachable moments that will help raise awareness of gender and sexuality issues.”
   On Thursday, March 5, Renee Knipe, who has been actively transitioning from a man to a woman for more than two years, will present “What Does it Mean to be a Transgender Woman?”
  Additionally, Oakland University’s very own love doctor, Terri Orbuch, will lead a discussion on the aspects of relationships many people are afraid to ask about on Tuesday, March 10.
   Marking the highlight event of this year’s celebration, writer, feminist, and social activist Gloria Jean Watkins, better known as bell hooks, will present a keynote address sharing her unique perspective on the interconnectivity of race, class and gender and how this relates to feminism, sexuality and mass media.
   The Thursday, March 26, presentation is sponsored by Student Program Board, Student Congress, Gender & Sexuality Center, Kresge Library, Women’s & Gender Studies Program, Sociology/Anthropology Department, Center for Student Activities and Women’s Issues Forum. Other Women’s History Month activities include March 7 and 8 performances of “The Vagina Monologues;” a Monday, March 23, presentation of “Consensual Sex or Rape? A Mock Trial;” and Self Love Spa Day on Thursday, March 19.

For more information on the events, visit the Gender & Sexuality Center Web site.

--Oakland University News

Nominations open for Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, deadline is March 21

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 class of the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame. The Hall commemorates women of this state who have distinguished themselves in one or more fields of endeavor including abolition, agriculture, architecture, art, athletics, aviation, business, chemistry, children's rights, civil rights, community service, conflict resolution/peace movement, dietetics, economics, education, entertainment, environment, folk life, government, history, human resources, journalism, labor, law, law enforcement, medicine/healthcare, military, music, Native American rights, philanthropy, politics, religion, science, social work/mission work, suffrage, television/radio, women's rights, and writing.
    Candidates for admission to the Hall of Fame must have been born in Michigan OR achieved prominence within the state OR been a resident of the state for an extended period after achieving prominence elsewhere. A nominated woman may be living or deceased. Women's organizations may also be nominated.
    All nominations must be submitted by mail on approved nomination forms, found online. Printed versions may be obtained by calling the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame at (517) 484-1880 or by e-mailing michiganwomen@sbcglobal.net. The deadline for submissions is March 21, 2009.
   Honorees of the past have included Debbie Stabenow, Michigan's first female U.S. senator; Rosa Parks, civil rights activist; Pearl Kendrick and Grace Eldering, developers of the whooping cough vaccine; Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, the nation's first Native American writer; Genevieve Gillette, considered the 'mother of Michigan's state park system'; Sarah Emma Edmonds, a Civil War soldier; and singer Aretha Franklin.
   The 26th annual induction ceremony for the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame will take place on October 21, 2009 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing, Michigan.
   The Michigan Women's Historical Center was established in 1987 by the Michigan Women's Studies Association, which seeks to improve what is taught and thought about women in Michigan's schools, colleges, and universities. Inside the Historical Center are changing galleries highlighting women's history and art as well as the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, commemorating nearly 250 Michigan women past and present. Photographs, biographical sketches, and lesson plans relating to the Hall of Fame honorees may also be viewed online at http://hall.michiganwomenshalloffame.org.