Music, refashioned Barbie dolls and a series of women's history lectures highlight Sonoma State University's National Women's History Month celebration in March.
This year will see the return of the popular "Remodel Your Barbie" art display. With her impossible proportions and feet angled only for high heels, the Barbie doll has been a female icon for generations.
The Barbies are refashioned according to the artist's fancy: she might be more realistic or evoke a women in history, she may make a political statement or say something about female stereotypes and body image.
Sebastopol artist Deborah Colotti, who has been remodeling Barbie for more than 20 years, will lead the hands-on workshop. Some of her Barbie reconstructions will be on display throughout March.
Another highlight is a night of music showcasing Sonoma County all-female musicians. Copper Wimmin's glorious acappella harmonies and social justice-themed lyrics have made the trio a local favorite. Majesty's Monkey light up the evening with their brand of avant-folk that has earned them a following all over the county.
Sonoma State's National Women's History Month celebration is extensive due to the school's special connection to this nationally recognized celebration. Its spark began at SSU.
Energized by the women's rights movement of the 1970s, several SSU students began researching American women's accomplishments for a history class. Inspired by what they found, the group later went on the found the non-profit National Women's History Project, which promotes the teaching and recognition of women's contributions to American life.
In the 1980, this group led other women's organizations to successfully lobby Congress for a National Women's History Week, which was soon expanded to the month-long celebration recognized nationwide.
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SSU Women's History Month Calendar, March 2001
All events are free unless otherwise noted
March 1, Noon-1 pm, Multipurpose Room, Student Union
National Women's History Month Kickoff
....Join the Women's Resource Center in jump starting National Women's
History Month. Hear about all the campus activities celebrating women's
Accomplishments. Welcome new history faculty to our community, and enjoy
food, speakers and entertainment.
Through March, 11 am-4 pm, Monday-Friday, Schulz Information Center Gallery
....These are Our Lives: The Art of Hansel Hegel
An exhibit with photographs of Depression-era workers by the Life magazine
photojournalist, as well as powerful paintings based on her own experience
as a field worker.
Through March, 2nd Floor Display Case, Schulz Information Center
....Women's History Month Display
The SSU Women's Resource Center and the National Women's History Project
display materials honoring women's historical contributions.
March 2-28, InterCultural Center Gallery, Student Union
....Remodel Your Barbie Art Show
The return of the provocative display of Barbie art by artist Deborah
Colotti, plus refashioned Barbies made by SSU students, faculty and staff.
March 2, 9-10 pm, The Pub, Student Union
....Women's Comedy Night
Large laughs with Bay Area comedians Becky Pedigo and Laura House.
Sponsored by Residential Life.
March 8, Noon-1 pm, Stevenson 2091
....Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, and Elizabeth Cellier
Two lectures: "Chickflicks Forever: Women's Films of the 1930s and 1940s,"
by Dr. Sue Englander, and "The Case of the 17th Century Midwife, Elizabeth
Cellier: Women Writers and Public Discourse," by Dr. Kathleen Noonan. Part
of the Women's History Lunches sponsored by the History Dept., with Phi
Alpha Theta.
March 10, 9 pm-1 am, Inn of the Beginning, Cotati
....Copper Wimmin and Majesty's Monkey
A night of sensational women's music with a local acappella trio and a
dynamic avant-folk duo. Visit the musical implications of ancient harmonies
and a trickster spun kaleidoscopic. Free for SSU Students, $7 General.
March 13, Noon-1 pm, Rachel Carson Hall 68
....Lesbian & Gay Politics: Which Rights Matter Most?
A lecture by Cheshire Calhoun, Professor of Philosophy, Colby College,
author of Feminism, the Family and the Politics of the Closet: Lesbian and
Gay Displacement. Co-sponsored by the Philosophy Dept. and the
Women's and Gender Studies Program.
March 13, 7-8:30 pm, Rachel Carson Hall 68
....Queer Genders in Cyberspace
Lecture by SSU English Professor Lisa Nakamura. Part of the Queer Mirrors
Lecture Series.
March 15, Noon-1 pm, Stevenson 2091
....Hatshepsut and the Dragon Lady
Two lectures: "Ms of the Two Lands," by Dr. William Poe, and "Asian Virago:
How the Dragon Lady Got Her Claws," by Dr. Randy Dodgen. Part of the Women's
History Lunches sponsored by the History Dept., with Phi Alpha Theta.
March 15, 2-3:30 pm, Multipurpose Room, Student Union
....Etel Adnan, author of Sitt Marie Rose
The Lebanese-American poet and novelist discusses Sitt Marie Rose, the
anti-war novel about a strong women during the Lebanese Civil War.
March 15, 4:30-6 pm, North Light Books, Cotati
....Growing Up in the Middle East
Syrian artist and publisher Simone Fattal and Lebanese writer Etel Adnan in
conversation about childhood in the Middle East and the status of females in
Beirut and Europe today.
March 19, Noon-1:50 pm, Multipurpose Room, Student Union
....Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Before you head into the work world, hear the success stories of this panel
of women who work in male-dominated professions, such as high technology and
manufacturing.
March 19, March 20, 7-8:30 pm, Rachel Carson Hall 68
....Queer Language Study of Queer Stories: Patterns in Lesbian Narratives
Lecture by SSU English Instructor Birch Moonwoman-Baird. Part of the Queer
Mirrors Lecture Series.
March 21, 4-7 pm, Ives Hall 80
....The Wise Ways of Wimmin's Bodies
Lecture and ceremony led by Celosia Serra on women's connections to the
cycles of the sun and moon. Co-sponsored by the Drum and Dance Society.
March 22, Noon-1 pm, Stevenson 2091
....Russia and the California Gold Rush
Two lectures: "Women's Changing Status after Peter the Great," by Dr. Steve
Watrous, and "The Foundation of our Fortune: Women in Gold-Rush San
Francisco," by Dr. Michelle Jolly. Part of the Women's History Lunches
sponsored by the History Dept., with Phi Alpha Theta.
March 22, 7-9 pm, Schulz Information Center, Room 2016 a & b
....Daring to Resist: Three Women Face the Holocaust
In this documentary, three Jewish women reflect on their lives as teenagers
in Holland, Hungary and Poland during World War II when they refused to
remain passive in the face of the Holocaust. Home movies and
never-before-published photographs enrich their stories. Co-sponsored with
the Holocaust Studies Center.
March 27, 7-8:30 pm, Rachel Carson Hall 68
....Queerness and Spirituality
A panel of religious leaders discusses how religions view sexual
orientation. Includes Sister Mary Grace from the Sisters of Perpetual
Indulgence drag performance group.
March 28, 7-9 pm, Multipurpose Room, Student Union
....Women Student Leaders of the Year Celebration
A reception and ceremony to honor women students whose leadership has had a
positive impact at SSU. Desserts and entertainment.
March 29, Noon-1 pm, Person Theatre
....Deadly Persuasion: Advertising & Addiction
A talk by renowned media analyst Dr. Jean Kilbourne about media messages
that promote addiction to alcohol, tobacco and an unhealthy body image.
March 29, Noon-1 pm, Stevenson 2091
....Martyrs, Midwives and Mayhem
Three lectures: "Free to be Wicked in the Middle Ages," by Dr. Judith Abbot;
"Antonia the Baptizer," by Dr. Mary Halavais; and "Tortured for the Vote,"
by Dr. Clarice Stasz. Part of the Women's History Lunches sponsored by the
History Dept., with Phi Alpha Theta.
March 29, 7-9 pm, Person Theatre
....Deadly Persuasion: Media's Hidden Messages
Talks and panel discussion by nationally known experts on how media messages
encourage unhealthy behaviors, such as teen alcohol and tobacco use and
violence against women. Tickets are $5 for students; $8 general. Available
at the SSU Student Union Box Office, by calling 707/664-2382, or at
Copperfield's Books.
For more information about these events, call the Women's Resource Center,
707/664-2845, or visit the WRC web site: www.sonoma.edu/campuslife/wrc/
A daily parking permit ($2.50) is required Monday-Thursday, 6 a.m.-10 p.m.,
and 6 a.m.- 5 p.m. on Fridays, except holidays. Daily permits are not valid
in reserved lots. Some permit machines accept quarters only.
