UTSA observes Women's History Week March 4-8

(Feb. 15, 2002)--The University of Texas at San Antonio will celebrate Women’s History Week March 4-8. The week's theme, "Beyond Borders / Mas alla de la Frontera," will underscore issues such as culture and identity; educating mind, body and spirit; identity and the arts as well as activism and feminism.

For nearly 20 years, UTSA has celebrated women's history with events spotlighting the contributions of locally and internationally prominent women, including former governor Ann Richards; attorney Sarah Weddington, who argued Roe v. Wade before the Supreme Court; and Judith Zaffirini, the first Latina senator in Texas.

Over the years, the week has expanded from five to the current 40 events. This year's activities will include Chicana historian Vicki Ruiz, who is internationally recognized for her ground-breaking research in women's history on topics such as Western women and women of color. Her publications include "Cannery Women, Cannery Lives," "Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History" and "Out of the Shadows." Ruiz will discuss her current project in a presentation entitled "Big Dreams, Rural Schools: Mexican Americans and Public Education."

Marti Kheel, co-founder of Feminists for Animal Rights, will discuss "Women, Nature, and Nonhuman Animals: Towards an Ecofeminist Ethic of Care." Kheel is a writer and activist on the issues of animal liberation, ecofeminism and environmental ethics. Her articles have been translated into several languages and have appeared in numerous journals and anthologies, including "Healing the Wounds: The Promise of Ecofeminism," "Reweaving the World: The Emergence of Ecofeminism and Animals" and "Women: Feminist Theoretical Explorations."

This year's events, including lectures, workshops, films, readings, exhibits and performances, will take place at both the 1604 and Downtown campuses. All activities are free and open to the public. The complete schedule follows.

For more information on any event, contact Jasmin Khair at (210) 458-4550.

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UTSA Women's History Week 2002

"Re:Vision Five Women Re-Vision," an art exhibit showcasing the talent of five women painters, will be showing at the 1604 Campus Art Gallery, March 4-31. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday.-Friday and 2-4 p.m. Sunday.

MONDAY: CULTURE AND IDENTITY (1604 Campus)

10 a.m. Chicana Historian Vicki Ruiz on "Big Dreams, Rural Schools: Mexican Americans and Public Education" (Sponsored by the Carter Lecture Series) University Center Laurel Room

12 p.m. Carmen Tafolla on the Emma Tenayuca Project, sharing the history of one of San Antonio's most important labor leaders University Center Laurel Room

2 p.m. FILM: Seneca Reflections: Celebrating 150 Years of Women's Rights the story of the women's movement--where it has been and where it is going. University Center Laurel Room

3 p.m. Feminism Roundtable: Our Many Feminisms. University Center Laurel Room

MONDAY: CULTURE AND IDENTITY (Downtown Campus)

2 p.m. Lucia Chiovola Birnbaum of the California Institute of Integral Studies on "Dark Mother: African Origins and Godmothers" Frio Street Building 1.406

3 p.m. FILM: The Infamous Dorothy Parker about an American writer, wit, and icon. Frio Street Building 1.406

7 p.m. Chicana Spirituality and Healing with Enriqueta Vasquez, Ines Hernandez-Avila, and Patrisia Gonzalez Frio Street Building 1.406

TUESDAY: EDUCATING THE MIND, BODY & SPIRIT (1604)

9:30 a.m. UTSA College of Engineering Dean Zorica Pantic-Tanner and other engineering members on "Women in the Hard Sciences," a panel discussion. University Center Laurel Room

11 a.m. Historian Yolanda Leyva on "In ixtli, in yóllotl/a face, a heart: Reflections of Being a Chicana Historian" University Center Laurel Room

12:30 p.m. Chicana Spirituality and Healing with Enriqueta Vasquez, Ines Hernandez-Avila, and Patrisia Gonzalez. University Center Laurel Room

2 p.m. Lucia Chiovola Birnbaum of the California Institute of Intergal Studies on "Dark Mother: African Origins and Godmothers" Univeristy Center Laurel Room

3:30 p.m. Contemporary Issues in Women's Health: A Panel Discussion including Kelly Welsh of Planned Parenthood and UTSA professor Anne Tarleton. University Center Laurel Room

5 p.m. FILM: "Killing Us Softly III" examines issues of body image and the media. University Center Laurel Room

7 p.m. Women's Philosophies of Education: Past and Present. University Center Laurel Room

TUESDAY: EDUCATING THE MIND, BODY & SPIRIT (Downtown)

9:30 a.m. Chicana Prose Writers Norma E. Cantú; Josie Mendez-Negrete; Barbara Renaud Gonzalez. Frio Street Building 1.406

11:30 a.m. Modern Day Human Sexuality: A Continuum of Awareness a panel discussion featuring Planned Parenthood's Director of Education, Kelly Welsh and Director of Government Affairs, Jennifer Bibrey. Frio Street Building 1.406

2 p.m. Differing Perspectives on Women and Religion: A Panel Discussion. Frio Street Building 1.406

5 p.m. Film: Norma Rae the story of one woman's battle against corporate greed. Frio Street Building 1.406

7 p.m. Women in Business: A Panel Discussion. Frio Street Building 1.406

WEDNESDAY: IDENTITY AND THE ARTS (1604)

10 a.m. Chicana Now: Chicana Visions of Women and Art. University Center Laurel Room

12 p.m. Poetry and Performance by Gertrude Baker And Dragonfly. University Center Laurel Room

2 p.m. South Texas artist, Patricia Ruiz-Bayón on "Art on the Border: A Personal Narrative" University Center Laurel Room

3 p.m. Austin Performance artists Paul Bonin-Rodgriguez on "Talking out of Turn: The Taboos of Telling" University Center Laurel Room

4 p.m. FILM: The Celluloid Closet, examines issues and portrayals of homosexuality in Hollywood films. University Center Laurel Room

6 p.m. Women's Historian Karen Offen on "What Americans Should Know: Thoughts on European Feminisms in Comparative Perspective from the Enlightenment to the Atomic Age" (Sponsored by the UTSA History Deparment). University Center Laurel Room

WEDNESDAY: IDENTITY AND THE ARTS (Downtown)

10 a.m. South Texas artist Patricia Ruiz-Bayon on "Art on the Border: A Personal Narrative" Frio Street Building 1.406

12 p.m. Austin performance artist Paul Bonin-Rodgriguez on "Talking out of Turn: The Taboos of Telling" Buena Vista Street Building 1.326

2 p.m. Exploring the Metaphor, a consideration of language and women's empowerment with Marina Reyes-Wandless (UTSA) and Dorothy Ettling (University of the Incarnate Word). Frio Street Building 1.406

4 p.m. A workshop on writing and healing led by Yolanda Leyva and Patrisia Gonzalez. Frio Street Building 1.406

6 p.m. FILM: The Life and Times of Sara Baartman, the Hottentot Venus examines the story of a Khoi Khoi woman from South Africa who was exhibited as a "freak" across Great Britian. Frio Street Building 1.406

THURSDAY: ACTIVISMS AND FEMINISMS (1604)

9:30 a.m. Rice University Professor Elora Shehabuddin discusses contemporary issues of Women and Islam. Business Building University Room

11 a.m. Ecofeminist and activist Marti Kheel on "Women, Nature, and Nonhuman Animals: Towards an Ecofeminist Ethic of Care" Business Building University Room

12:30 p.m. "Still Here." Sharon Bridgforth reads from her collection of jazz/blues/prayer poems & performance stories (Cosponsored by the Program for the Study of Women and Gender) Business Building University Room

2 p.m. A Workshop on the Creation and Mission of (and our wish-list for) Women's Resource Centers NOTE: STAFF, STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND COMMUNITY ARE URGED TO ATTEND! Business Building University Room

4 p.m. FILMS: "Shroud of Silence" and "Taliban: Prayer for Hate," two short films that examine women and Islam, Business Building University Room

THURSDAY: ACTIVISMS AND FEMINISMS (Downtown)

9:30 a.m. Panel Presentation on Local Activism: Featuring Fuerza Unida & Esperanza. Frio Street Building 1.406

11 a.m. Martha Norkunas talks about her work on the Austin Memorial a project to honor and celebrate women. Frio Street Building 1.406

2 p.m. Ecofeminst and activist Marti Kheel on "Women, Nature, and Nonhuman Animals: Towards an Ecofeminist Ethic of Care" Frio Street Building 1.406

3 p.m. FILM: Amor, Mujeres y Flores (Love, Women, and Flowers) an exposé about the dangers of the flower industry. Frio Street Building 1.406

6 p.m. "Still Here." Sharon Bridgforth reads from her collection of jazz/blues/prayer poems & performance stories (Cosponsored by the Program for the Study of Women and Gender). Buena Vista Street Building 1.326

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TODAY'S HEADLINES:

Education dean to be honored by president of Mexico
Institute of Texan Cultures steps out with shoes exhibit
UTSA development office announces executive director, officers
UTSA students asked to participate in housing survey
UTSA observes Women's History Week March 4-8

UTSA Today Front Page

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