The Fourth Wave: Feminism, Women and the Arts

Feminism in Bay Area Arts With Kathryn Roszak Subject to Change: All guests are scheduled but subject to change based on availability

Class 1: The History of the Women’s Movement in the Bay Area: In the first class, we will have an overview of important issues for the Women’s Movement in the Bay Area. We’ll look at the turbulent 1960’s, the radical changes that took place for women and men, and at what the movement hoped to achieve. Scholar and poet Sandra Gilbert, author of “The Madwoman in the Attic” will be our invited guest and guide.

Class 2: International Women Artists with Shahrzad Khorsandi: Dance is banned in Iran and we’ll hear from Persian choreographer Shahrzad who is preserving traditional dance while creating cotemporary choreography. Shahrzad has just published a book: “The Art of Persian Dance.”

Class 3: The Next Generation of Feminists: In the next few classes, we’ll take a look at the world created for the next generation- the daughters and sons of the Women’s Movement. We’ll focus on young women artists in the Bay Area, hear some of their stories, and learn about their artistic journeys. We have invited young women from U.C. Berkeley and also from Berkeley High School where there is a Feminist Club and the young women are working on curriculum and legislation focusing on sexual harassment.

Class 4: Women Breaking Glass Ceilings in Classical Arts, Part 1: Women Choreographers We’ll hear from Dalia Rawson, a woman ballet choreographer working with Ballet San Jose’s Training Program. Her most recent work is “Remembering Rain,” inspired by the California drought.

Class 5 Women Breaking Glass Ceilings in Classical Arts, Part 2: Women Conductors Conductor Joana Carneiro of Berkeley Symphony will discuss her career. Mary Chun will discuss her work with the esteemed chamber group Earplay and also talk about her work as a conductor in China.

In addition to hearing from the women artists, we will explore feminism in our everyday lives, including issues particular to the Bay Area. We’ll look at the current demands of career and family, and how they are affecting women and men. Another possible topic is the increasing role of care giving in women’s lives and we’ll also take a look at the backlash to feminism. Local issues include offers from corporations such as Google to provide compensation for women so that they can store their eggs and pursue their careers by possibly postponing motherhood.

Suggested Reading List (more to be added): “The Madwoman in the Attic” by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar “Masculine/Feminine, Readings in sexual Mythology and the Liberation of Women” by Betty and Theodore Roszak “The Woman Warrior” chant translated by Maxine Hong Kingston