WOMEN'S VU March 1987 A publicalion of Vanderbilt Unh•ersity Women's Center IX:7

A few good I brought a friend. Regardless of how they get Week and develop a sense of comradery. Facul­ involved, students all come with one purpose in ty, potential sponsors, and speakers are contacted women mind. Contrary to popular belief it is not to beef and arrangements are made for a variety of Tomzya M. Kennedy up a resume or a graduate school application, special lectures and events. As Women's Week A&S Senior although participation couldn't hurt. Our purpose draws nearer the program begins to fit together is to sensitize the community to women's issues like pieces of a puzzle. Faculty responses to lec­ Every March for the past 11 years, Vanderbilt and to encourage the community to acknowledge ture requests trickle in, and urgent phone calls University has celebrated Women's Week. women's accomplishments as significant. are returned. Finally, when the week's program You've all seen the posters, read the ads and, With this goal in mind, we embark upon what is finn, the pressure and uncertainty of the past if you were conscientious enough, attended the promises to be one of the most educational and few months gives way to relief. lectures. But have you ever stopped to wonder rewarding experiences of our undergraduate Once the last speech has been spoken, the last who tacked up the posters, designed the ads, or lives. Once acquainted with strangers, group dance danced, and the last painting has come contacted the speakers? Probably not. members soon to be friends, we begin the proc­ down, we reflect upon our contribution to the During Women's Week much will be written ess of creating a program that will meet both our conuuunity and the impact we had in our cor­ about the events and speakers scheduled. But just needs, as women, and the community's needs. ner of the world. this once, I think it would be interesting to find Questions that we ask ourselves during the plan­ Although most of the credit for such a suc­ out about the people who coordinate Women's ning process are: "What is most important to cessful celebration can be given to the Women's Week, an enormous task. us as women?" and "How can we relate our Week group, we gladly acknowledge the sup­ Regular as clockwork, in the fall of each year, experiences to the past and incorporate them into port and cooperation of the sponsors and par­ an invitation is sent out to all students to par­ the future?" ticipants. Tills year we also acknowledge the sup­ ticipate in the planning of Women's Week: "HERizons" was chosen as our theme this port given by the Women's Center staff, Joan "We're looking for a few good women." And year, after much deliberation. "HERizons" en­ Anderson and Kathy Thornton. But we reserve as predictable as the invitation, a handful of abled us to encompasss our many different in­ special thanks for Nancy Ransom who lent her undergraduate women respond. terests because it lent itself to many thematic experience and time in directing us. 1llrough the Some of the women join the group to enhance interpretations. support of these people we were given the op­ their education, and others come with friends. For the next few months, the members of the portunity to participate intensely in our heritage L1.st year I joined with a friend, and this year group work closely preparing for Women's as women and to enlighten our ''HERizons. ''

discussion with residents of Dismas House, a Schedule of events halfway house for ex-prisoners. Sarratt room A brochure with a complete listing of Women's 118. Week events will be available at the Women's 7:30p.m. -Sarratt ftlm: "Enom1ous Changes Center and other campus locations. Below are (continued on next page) some highlights from the week's activities. Thordis Simonsen Unless otherwise specified, all events are free and open to the community. 23 Monday 12:00 m. -Faculty lunch: Jean Bethke Elshtain, "Reflections on Political Torture and Murder: The Courage of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo," Divinity School Private Dining Room. 3:00~5:00 p.m.- Reception for "Fenunes: A Photo Essay on 30 Notable Contemporary French Women," an exhibit which opens in McTyeire International House lounge during Women's Week. The Indigo Girls will perfonn. 4:00 p.m. - "Las Nicas" videotape about Nicaraguan women, with discussion, Garland Hall room 220. linda Ellerbee, host ofABC 1V's "Our World" 7:00 p.m. - Lecture with slides by Thordis and author of the critically acclaimed, best­ Simonsen, author of You May Plow Here: An selling book And So It Goes about her e.\·­ Oral HistOI)' of Sara Brooks. '' Reception follow­ periences in the broadcast field. Afomzer Van­ ing. Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center. derbilt student, Ms. Ellerbee will be speaking dunizg Women S Week on Fn'day, March 27 (see 24 Tuesday below). 5:00 p.m. -"Women in Prison," a panel at the Last Minute," Sarratt Cinema. Women's History Month hilt lecture, "History will do it no justice: 9:30 p.m. - Discussion of the film above to Women and the reinterpretation of the American be led by Elisabeth Perry, Associate Professor A Congressional Resolution designating the Revolution,'' in January. Her conunent on of History. Sarratt room 123. month of March as ''Women's History Month'' women's studies and women in history: "You 25 Wednesday is in subconunittee and may be voted on in May. can't add women like you sprinkle tarragon on Meanwhile, Women's History Month 1987 is at the end." 10:10 a.m. - Worship service with Toinette being recognized nationwide by many groups Jan Bushing, Representative to the Tennessee Eugene, Antoinette Brown Lecturer, preaching. and individuals. The text of the congressional State Legislature, said in Feburary at the Martin Benton Chapel. resolution follows: Luther King, Jr. Lecture Series, "Tonight ... 3:10 p.m. - Panel discussion: The U.S. I represent a majority and a minority: Women Catholic Bishops' Pastoral Letter on "Women Whereas American women of every are a majority of people in the United States, in Church and Society.'' Divinity School room race, class and ethnic background but we are treated like a minority.'' 8 G-30. helped found the Nation In countless re· 4:00-6:00 p.m. -Reception for opening of stu­ corded and unrecorded ways as ser· dent art exhibit in Sarratt Lobby. vants, slaves. nurses, nuns, homemakers. 8:00 p.m. - Antoinette Brown Lecture by industrial workers. teachers. reformers. Toinette M. Eugene, Associate Professor of soldiers and pioneers; SEWSA Conference at Education, Society, and Black Church Studies Whereas American women have Vanderbilt played and continue to play a critical at Colgate Rochester Divinity School, "Ain't I The Southeast Women's Studies Association's economic, cultural and social role In A Woman?: Feminist Truth and Moral Values." (SEWSA) 1987 conference, "Making Connec­ every sphere of our Nation's life by con· Benton Chapel. tions: Women's Strengths and Women's Chal­ stitutlng a significant portion of the labor lenges, .. promises to challenge everyone who 26 Thursday force working in and outside of the comes to the Vanderbilt campus on March 11:30 a.m. - Lunchtime Seminar by Jean home; 20-22. Bethke Elshtain, Visiting Professor of Political Whereas American women have Major features of the conference include a Science at Vanderbilt, "Studying Women and played a unique role throughout our working luncheon on Saturday, a panel of rep­ War," at the Women's Center. history by providing the majority of the resentatives from the four major research centers Nation's volunteer labor force and have on women in the region, and a keynote address been porticularly important In the estab· by Jean Bethke Elshtain, Professor of Political llshment of early charitable, philan· Science at the University of Massachusetts, throp/c and cultural Jnslilutlons in the Amherst, and Visiting Professor of Political country; Science at Vanderbilt this spring. Whereas American women of every Jean Bethke Elshtain is a distinguished political race, class and ethnic background theorist, whose most recent book, Women and 1 served as early leaders In the forefront War (Basic Books, 1987), will provide material of every major progressive social for her SEWSA lecture, "Women, War, and change movement, not only to secure Politics." She is also the author of Public Man, their own right of suffrage and equal op­ Primte Women: Women in Social and Political portunity, but also In the abolitionist 'Thought (Princeton, 1981) which was selected movement, the emancipation move· by Choice as one of the top academic books of ment, the Industrial labor union move­ 1981-1982. She edited 11le Family in Politiml ment and the modern civil rights move­ Paula Giddings 'fllought (University of Massachusetts, 1982) and ment; and published Meditations on Modem Political 7:30p.m. -Paula Giddings will lecture. Author Whereas despite these contributions, 71wught in 1986. Her long list of journal articles of Wizen and Wltere I Emer: llze Impact ofBlack the role of American women In history and chapters in edited books reflects her versatil- Women on Race and Sex in America. A graduate has been consistently overlooked and ity and interest in political theory, the history of Howard University, Giddings worked at Ran­ undervalued in the body of American ,. of political thought, contemiXJrary social theory, dom House before becoming an editor at history: moral philosophy, and women's studies. Howard University Press. Later she was Paris Now, therefore, be it resolved by the On Saturday noon conference participants will bureau chief for Encore American and Senate and House of Representatives of enjoy a working lunch at the University Club. Worldwide News. Her articles have appeared in the United States of America In Congress Each registrant will be seated at a pre-selected 11te Washington Post, Jeune Afrique, Amistad assembled, That the month of March, table to discuss the collllection between women's 2, and elsewhere. Sarratt room 118. 1987. is designated as "Women's History studies and another discipline. At each table a 7:30 p.m. - Sarratt film: "Men," Sarratt Month," and the President is requested recorder will moderate the discussion and report Cinema. to Issue a proclamation calling upon the to the whole group. During the last half hour, 9:30 p.m. - Discussion of the film above to people of the United States to observe a panel consisting of Jean Bethke Elshtain and be led by Phyllis Frus, Assistant Professor of such month with appropriate cere­ the Sunday panelists will respond and comment English. Sarratt room 123. monies and activities. II on the reports. 27 Friday Sunday morning will feature a worship serv­ 2:00 p.m. - Linda Ellerbee, author of And So ice option and a concluding panel on women's It Goes, will speak in Sarratt Cinema. Recep­ Women speaking about studies research and public poJicy. Panelists are tion to follow in Sarratt room 118. Bonnie Dill, Director of the Center for Research 10:00 p.m. -Women's Week Dance: parents women on Women at Memphis State; Beverly Guy­ are welcome. Dance until 2:00 a.m. Social Linda Kerber, May Brodbeck Professor of Sheftall, Director of the Center for Research on Religious Building. 8 Liberal Arts, University oflowa, gave a Vander- Women at Spelman College; Carol Stack of the Duke-UNC Center for Research on Women; and News Brief have been wrongly fired for getting pregnant. Beth Willinger, Director of the Newcomb Col­ The company's policy, as stated in a July 1980 lege Center for Research on Women. Jn May 1986 a federal district cou11 ordered letter to divisional managers, is that women have "inferiority complexes" and should not be hired Conference fees are $45 for a regular registra­ Ortho Phannaceutkal~a subsidy of Johnson and tion, $25 for non-Vanderbilt students, free for Johnson-to pay Mary Maifer $4.7 million. if they have "executive potential" or are "at­ Vanderbilt students. Jfyou have not yet received Maifer had sued Ortho charging that her use of tractive." Some excerpts from the letter: "On an application fonn, you can obtain infom1ation Othro-Gynol contraceptive jelly while pregnant Understanding Women-Women are more sen­ about registration by calling the Women's caused her daughter Katie to be born with a blind sitive than men. They shame easier. They cry Center, 322-4843. II eye, a cleft palate, a deformed right am1 and no more often. Women have more social problems left arm. Ortho, ruled the judge, knew of the that create business problems. Profile of a risk of birth defects and should have written a Female Worker-She's not 'pretty,' she's not more specific warning on its product. sexy, she should be neat, clean and without frills. Now the company's "Recruiting and Selec­ She should have the look of someone who might tion Standards'' are being examined. The Equal clean her bathroom or kitchen on her hands and Employment Opportunity Commission is seek­ knees. She went to a state college, not a private ing to join a sex-discrimination lawsuit against university, and not recently.'' Ortho filed by a Texas woman who claims to A recent issue of -In 1J1ese Times a

Women's Center programs

For more infonnation on the programs listed Thinking ahead to April: the selection for next below, call the Women's Center office, month is Family linen by Lee Smith. 322-4843.

The Single Mothers Group will meet on the first aod third Thesdays, March 3 aod 17. Topics will be co-dependency relationships and "women who love too much." The group is open to any woman who defines herself as a single mother. Meetings are free and are held at the Vander­ bilt Child Care Center from 6:45 to 8: 15 p.m. Child care is provided on sight for a small fee. "Cycling for Women" is the title of a bicycle Amy Hartlyn, Executive Director of PEACE, selection and maintenance program by David will speak at the Dutch Treat Breakfast Club Herren, Director of the Language Lab and on Thursday, March 12. She wilJ discuss men longtime bicycle sportsone. Wednesday, March who batter women and a relatively new approach 25, 4:30p.m. at the Women's Center. Just in to stopping the violence, one used by PEACE time to open the spring session on two wheels which involves coordination of conununity serv­ that are comfortable, reliable, and enjoyable. ice agencies (police, courts, etc.) and the active participation of the batterer to effect change. In lieu of a Graduate Students Group meet­ Open to faculty and staff women, the group ing this month, the Women's Center encourages meets in the Divinity School Private Dining all graduate students to attend the Southeast Room at 7:30a.m. for breakfast, speech at 8:00 Women's Studies Association's (SEWSA) 1987 a.m., and questions and answers at 8:20a.m. conference, ''Making Cmmections: Women's Women come and go as their schedules require. Strengths and Women's Challenges" (see arti­ Coffee is available free. cle above). Students may register and attend all functions free except the box lunch on Sunday. Dissertation Writers Group for A.B.D. This is an opportunity to meet other women in women, a task-oriented group dedicated to help­ the southeast who are involved in your discipline. ing members successfully complete the disser­ Pre-register so that you will receive a packet and tation process. Monthly meetings serve as check name tag. Call 322-4843 for registration fom1s. points, encouragements, and problem-solving sessions. Friday, March 13, 4:30 p.m. at the "Studying Women and War" is the title of Women's Center. a Lunchtime Seminar by Jean Bethke Elshtain, Visiting Professor of Political Science this Jean Auel's book Clain of the Cave Bear is spring. Dr. Elshtain will explain how she went the March selection for the Book Group which about doing the research and thinking that will meet Monday, March 16, at 5:15 p.m. at ushered into her book, Women and War, which Jonell Mosser, Andrew Commiskey, and Dana Belser, three members of Good News, the band the Women's Center. Linda Warmack will lead will be published this month. The seminar will playing at the Women's Week Dance Friday, the discussion. If you have not read the book and he Thursday, March 26, 11:30-12:30 p.m. at the March 27 (see Schedule of Events). Style, itfeiniCfeS·ted Ill ·astelling-to .the· diSC.USS-ioil, JCCl Women's Center. Bring a bag lunch. Beverages versatility, energy. a free to attend. Light refreshments. provided. II ANNOUNCEMENTS ET CETERA

March classes at the YWCA include ''Uniquely Womenflight announces ''Women on Spiritual For women and men who feel their eating pat­ You!" (color analysis, $5), "Co-Dependency" Quest,'' a workshop series on feminist thealogy. terns are out of control, the Psychological and (relationship interaction, $5), ''Faith and The March 28 workshop, second in the series, Counseling Center offers an Eating Disorders Feminism: Allies or Antagonists?" ($25 for 4 is "The New Reformation." It will examine Program which provides information-sharing for Thursdays), "Sexuality" (a Saturday workshop women's involvement for change in traditional students, staff, and faculty on eating-related for mothers and daughters, $10 per family), and Judeo~Christian religious institutions. Fee: $20. problems. Presentations are brief and infonnal. "Career Planning" (6 Mondays). Scholarships available. Call 255-1225. Call 322-2571 to schedule. Coming up April 16, "Fix Your Car" For off-campus assistance, Overeaters Anon­ (6 Thursdays, $35). For more information, call ymous is a 12 step program (like AA) with 269-9922. The Mid-Atlantic Center for Sex Equity meetings Monday-Saturday on a drop in basis, publishes eight-page "report cards" on the free. Call 833-5402 for more information. following subjects: 112 - ''Sex Bias in·Colleges and Universities'' Second annual Nashville Women's Health Con­ 113 - "Sex Bias in Mathematics, Computer ference, "Take A Day For Yourself," is Fri­ Women's Places, A Guide to Organizations and Science and Technology" Sen,ices fOr Vanderbilt Women, has been re­ day, March 27, at Opryland Hotel. Sponsored #4 - ''Sex Bias in Educational Administration'' by Tennessee Christian Medical Center, River­ cently revised and is available at the Women's 115 - ''Education and the Teenage Pregnancy Center. If you have not yet received one, drop gate Mall, and WLAC-FM, the conference of­ Puzzle" fers 12 workshops from which you may choose by and pick one up or call 322-4843 for cam­ #6 - "Gifted Girls: The Disappearing Act" pus mail delivery. B three to attend. Topics include raising children, All are available in the Women's Center relating to men, money, time management, and library. AIDS and others. Fee is $35. Write Nashville Women's Health Conference, 320 Hospital Drive, Madison, TN 37115. The walk-in time for employees to be seen in the Occupational Health Service (OHS) has been changed to 7:30 a.m.-8:30a.m. No appointment Sexual Attitude Reassessment program Saturday is necessary; first come first served. No pun intended and Sunday, March 21 and 22 for professionals OHS is now offering the Recombivax HB vac­ Vicki Felice and others to learn about a wide range of human cine at no charge to employees in certain high sexuality from nationally recognized experts in risk jobs. For more information, call 322-2692. A few years ago, I worked in sales for an the field. Significant others are encouraged to attend. C.E.U. 's available. Fees: $85 per per­ automobile dealer, in the pre-owned and antique classic department. When a new internal phone son. Students, $45. Application Deadline: March Family and Children's Service offers a Divorce list was passed out, giving everyone's extension 13. Call 297-8685 for information. Adjustment Group, Children Facing Divorce (a and department, my entry read: program for children of divorce and their Vicki Felice: Used & Exotic. parents), a stepmothers group, and other A crossword puzz1e for Women's History Month Families in Transition programs. Call Jean -Savvy is available. Call 322-4843 for your copy. Strecker, 832-9220, for more information. March 1987 B

Edited by Joan Anderson Vanderbilt Women's Center TO RECEIVE YOUR OWN LABELED COPY OF E-2 West Side Row WOMEN'S VU return the form below or call the Women's Center, 322-4843, to place your name on the Box 1513, Station B mailing list. Nashville, TN 37235 Monthly newsletters, excluding July .and August, are sent to all students free. Newsletters to faculty and staff at Address Correction Requested campus addresses are free. For non~student, off-campus Include mailing label addresses there is a $3.00 fee for one year. Please make checks payable to Vanderbilt University Women's Center.

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