Women's Studies Newsletter
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Women’s Studies Newsletter Volume 19, Issue 2 Spring 2015 Publication Number: E041002003 Edited by Kaitlin Cottle, Meghann Parry and Connor Anderson UTC Welcomes Joyce Dugan and The Cherokee Word for Water for Women’s History Month Joyce Dugan is the keynote who by tradition had tilled the speaker for our women's histo- soil, writes Theda Perdue, a ry month programming. Joyce is Cherokee historian (Native Peo- the first and only woman to ples Magazine, Winter 1999). hold the position of Principal With Dugan’s help they were Chief of the Eastern Band of able to come back to it. Cherokee Indians. In 2006, be- cause of her efforts toward In addition to Joyce Dugan’s cultural preservation, she was talk, the film The Cherokee Word awarded an honorary doctorate Inside this Issue: for Water will be shown. This from the University of North film is a full-length motion pic- Joyce Dugan: 1 Carolina Chapel Hill. She cur- ture which tells the story of Cherokee Chief rently serves on the Cherokee Indian Hospital Governing how Wilma Mankiller became Meet Connor Anderson 2 Board and the Development the first modern woman Chief and Colleen Mann Foundations Board of Directors of the Cherokee Nation. for the North Carolina Center As chief Mankiller was awarded for the Advancement of Teach- the Presidential Medal of Free- Feel Good Naked 3 ing. dom and was Ms. Magazine’s With Amber Krzys While chief, Dugan facilitated Woman of the Year. Gloria Steinem said, “…as long as peo- the purchase of Kituhwa, an- The film and talk with Joyce Alumni Spotlight: 3 ple like Wilma Mankiller carry cient “mother town” of the Dugan will be on: Emily Quinn the flame within them centuries Cherokees in order to preserve of ignorance and genocide can’t Wednesday, March 25, 2015 Spring 2015 Speaker 4 the ancient site and the history extinguish the human spirit.” in the Chattanooga Room of and tradition of her tribe. This Schedule the University Center. The film purchase was unprecedented The leadership of Dugan and will be shown at 5:30 pm. The because the site was not located Mankiller is reminiscent of a talk and discussion will follow. on the reservation. It was also a time in Cherokee history when very important site to the wom- Cherokee society was actually en of the Cherokee. In Chero- structured around women. Their leadership is a reaffirma- kee tradition, the first woman, tion of women’s power among Selu, was killed, and where her Reminder: blood soaked the ground, corn the Cherokees. and beans grew. During the Come join us in experiencing UTC offers both Cherokee removal, no one these wonderful Cherokee regretted leaving this place women. a Major and a more than Cherokee women, Minor in Women’s Studies Page 2 Women’s Studies Newsletter Student Spotlight: Connor Anderson Connor is a UTC senior major- ga. This was Connor’s intro- made facilitator of the Wom- ing in Women’s Studies and duction to the Women’s Stud- en’s Action Council and a minoring in Criminal Justice, ies program and about the member of the Women’s Cen- and she will be graduating this program she says, “It’s a great ter’s student board WISE. Her May. She is currently an intern major because you can tailor it favorite Women’s Studies with the Women’s Fund of to your own experience and course however, was not Vio- Greater Chattanooga where what you want to study. You lence Against but Goddess she is working on revamping an can take it in what ever direc- Traditions. “It was a beautiful old program called The Night- tion you want to which I think class. It was wonderful to be ingale Network which focuses is invaluable.” Within the able to explore another side of on empowering young women Women’s Studies major Con- Women’s Studies. I was able to to become philanthropists. nor’s most influential class was explore Goddess traditions in Connor believes that it is very Violence Against Women with my native New Mexico for my important to find what you are Women’s Center Director final paper. It was really fun to passionate about within femi- Sara Peters. “It was eye open- be able to include a bit of home nism because there are so ing. I had done my research and in my studies.” After graduation many different avenues and I knew that violence against Connor is moving home to fields of study. Dr. Noe and women was a global epidemic. New Mexico where she hopes Connor were introduced be- Even so, I found this class to be to work with a non-profit or- Attention: fore she had been accepted eye opening and affirming of ganization focused on women’s If you are MAJORING into the Women’s Studies pro- the work I wanted to do.” This issues and attend graduate gram or even UTC. Connor class also sparked Connor’s school. or MINORING in reached out to Dr. Noe about involvement at the Women’s the film Girl, Rising which she Center. During her second Women’s Studies, worked to bring to Chattanoo- semester at UTC Connor was Please declare your major/minor on the Student Spotlight: Colleen Mahn Records Office Colleen Mahn, a UTC senior, resources and tools such as planning on doing just that website as soon as will be graduating this Decem- reproductive health services, after she graduates. She has possible. ber with a degree in Women’s counseling, and transportation already submitted her applica- Studies and English Literature. to domestic violence victims tion for the Peace Corps. “I’m Currently, Colleen is working and survivors. Colleen says the looking at teaching abroad if on her Service Learning project Women’s Studies major has that falls through and trying to through her Senior Seminar. given her a broader sense of not just affect the community She is working with the domes- who she is as an individual and or the US, but looking even tic violence court advocates as a member of society. This broader.” She is looking over- through local programs includ- summer Colleen has applied seas at areas where women’s ing The Partnership for Fami- for a ten-week paid internship issues are at the forefront, lies, Children, and Adults and A with RRASC, Reproductive including South America and Step Ahead Foundation. Col- Rights Activists Service Core, Africa. She says she’d like to leen is working alongside her based out of Boston, Massachu- take a year or two away from cousin, General Sessions Judge setts. Collen says she is looking academia to get real world Christie Sell, who helped found for “a broader perspective and experience before heading to the domestic violence court. journey because I have been graduate school. Through this program she will met with a lot of support along be working with court advo- my way. I just want to give back cates who provide many helpful as much as I can.” Colleen is Volume 19, Issue 2 Page 3 Feel Good Naked with Amber Krzys Feel Good Naked is a program ting honest with yourself and which brings speakers to UTC taking responsibility for your to talk about positive body choices so that you can have a image. Last year’s speaker was blank slate to create the health, Kjerstin Gruys, feminist scholar wealth and happiness you and author of Mirror, Mirror Off want.” According to a Brown the Wall. This year’s speaker University study of college Amber Krzys is coming to UTC students, 74.4% of the normal- to help you Feel Good Naked. weight women stated that they Amber Krzys is a life coach and thought about their weight or the founder of bodyheart, an appearance “all the time” or organization which helps wom- “frequently.” But the women en and men feel good about weren’t alone; the study also their bodies. Krzys says that found that 46% of the normal- through the organization she weight men surveyed respond- helps people embrace where ed the same way. So, in today’s they are in their bodies and toxic body image climate Krzys’ lives so they can experience message is invaluable to young the freedom, confidence, and women and we are excited that joy they deserve. Her goal is to she will be bringing her messag- help people love and relish es of self-love and respect to their bodies and lives. One of UTC this spring. Amber’s talk her main focuses is dismantling is co-sponsored by the follow- “when/then” statements: ing groups: Women’s Studies, “When I lose 10 pounds, then the Women’s Center, the “From Body Hater to Body I’ll wear my skinny jeans.” Her Counseling and Personal Devel- Celebrator” programs help people to accept opment Center, Student Health FEEL GOOD NAKED themselves as they are in the Services, the Dean of Students Wednesday March 4th moment, including strengths Office, UTC Panhellenic, Focus 7:00pm and weaknesses, so that they Treatment Center, the Campus in the can move on to the life they Activities Board, and UTC UC Auditorium want and deserve to have, in- Active Minds. cluding a positive relationship with the body. “It’s about get- Alumni Spotlight: Emily Quinn (’12) Women’s Studies Alumna Emily erford have a published book Quinn (’12) is changing lives for about their work, Independence, students with disabilities at Social, and Study Strategies for UTC and on campuses across Young Adults with Autism Spec- the U.S. trum Disorder: The Basics College Emily graduated UTC with a Curriculum.