reclaiming the sunlight - workshops

the william smith

women’s collective

Text Box: programs & events

from the roots to the future,

building an inclusive women’s movement

Text Box: Workshop Offerings Workshop Session 1 (1:30 - 3:00) Marriage Equality for Same Sex Couples - KD Parman (WS ’96) and Jean Frazzini, Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director The Natural Birth Movement - Lauren Korfine, doula & Linda Schutt, midwife How Big, Bad and Bold Do You Want to Be? It’s Your Life ! - Dr. Norma Burgess, Dean of the College for Graduate Studies, Chatham University Gender and Race as Expressed through Technologies - Cynthia Current, Fisher Center Pre-Doctoral Fellow, HWS Accessing the Positive Aspects of Traditional Masculinity and Femininity- Eric Patterson, Professor of English, HWS Fixing Lunch for EVERYBODY - Susanne McNally, Professor of History, HWS Spiritual Sustainability - Leslie Adams, Chaplain, HWS Workshop Session 2 (3:15 - 4:45) Marriage Equality for Same Sex Couples - KD Parman (WS ’96) and Jean Frazzini, Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director Women and Race - Dr. Susan Pliner, Director of CTL & Dr. Cerri Banks, Professor of Education, HWS Art and Activism in Action - Collaborative Educational Zine-ing, Stephanie Feinman and Minerva Muzquiz, WS ‘07 Men in the Women’s Movement - Rory Cooper, Felipe Esteban, Dale Watkins and Jawad Ciprani, Hobart Students Women and Disability - Mary Kelly, HWS Colleges please see workshop descriptions below: Workshop Session 1: Marriage Equality for Same Sex Couples KD Parman (WS '96) and Jeana Frazzini, Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director This workshop will look at the national movement for marriage equality for same sex couples. We will look at the power, rights, and responsibilities that our country gives to married couples at the state and federal levels. Throughout the workshop, Jeana and KD will weave their personal story of struggle for marriage equality in the state legislature, the courtroom, and at the ballot box. The Natural Birth Movement
Lauren Korfine & Linda Schutt, Doulas & Midwives, Ithaca, NY A practicing midwife and a practicing doula from Ithaca, NY will talk about why hospital births are not designed for women and alternatives to the traditional hospital mode of birthing. How Big, Bad and Bold Do You Want to Be? It’s Your Life!
Dr. Norma J. Burgess, Dean of the College for Graduate Studies, Chatham University This workshop examines strategies for women’s empowerment. The responsibility for success is often spread around to many who may not have your interest at heart, including the goals that you set, the choices that you make, and the decisions, which will always confront you. We discuss strategies that enhance your self-image, self-esteem and self-empowerment and help you to define and determine who you are, will become and want to be! Gender and Race as Expressed through Technologies
Cynthia Current, Fisher Center Pre-Doctoral Fellow, HWS Colleges When science and technology are viewed as neutral discourses, gender and even personhood often drop from discussion. In genomics, for instance, the discourse often degenerates into life as code or blueprint, a grammar that excludes or liminalizes many forms of identity or even life. In this workshop we will discuss how gender and race come to be expressed both in these technologies and in the use of technology. Accessing the Positive Aspects of Traditional Masculinity and Femininity
Eric Patterson, Professor of English, HWS Colleges In my view, based on my experience, homophobia and sexism are deeply interconnected. Homophobia is based on misogyny-- it constructs men who love men as being inferior because they supposedly are "like" women, and women who love women as inferior because they supposedly "try to be like men." These constructions debase "femininity" and privilege "masculinity." I hope to assist others-- and myself-- in having access to the positive aspects of both traditional masculinity and femininity." Fixing Lunch for EVERYBODY
Susanne McNally, Professor of History, HWS Colleges Every day, every woman in the world eats....., or does not. Most women also feed others......, or do not. The link between women and food is universal in our species. Also, we, here in Geneva, are connected to women all over the world by what we eat, or don't, by what they eat or don't. The interactive, multimedia workshop will first demonstrate and examine the links between women who eat and those who do not. Then we will explore how these problematic relations can be reconstituted more fairly through international action. Finally, we will address what we can do, right here and now, to "Fix Lunch For EVERYBODY." Spiritual Sustainability
Leslie Adams, Chaplain, HWS Colleges Spiritual Sustainability - reclaiming the "light, air, and water" needed to replenish the activist's soul garden.

We all know (even if we don't pay attention!) that we need healthy food, eight hours of sleep each night, protection from elements, etc. in order to thrive. Living on coffee, fast food, cigarettes and alcohol may keep us going for the moment, but, like monoculture fields fertilized with petroleum bi-products and sprayed with poisonous insecticides, we can't sustain such a life-style forever. Eschewing wellness is not good for us and it's not good for our communities. The same can be said of spiritual wellness. We can get by on the collective energy of causes, fueled by righteous indignation, sprayed all over with denial - for a while. But long term, most activists need to find ways to nurture the "soul," to replenish their "spiritual" energy, and to connect deeply with communities of folks longing for a kind of self-reflective truth that can sustain us over time.

The workshop will attempt to introduce some of the ancient practices for spiritual sustainability: first in a short overview and discussion, then through experimenting with particular practices. One need not have particular religious beliefs in order to participate. workshop session 2: Marriage Equality for Same Sex Couples KD Parman (WS '96) and Jeana Frazzini, Basic Rights Oregon Executive Director
This workshop will look at the national movement for marriage equality for same sex couples. We will look at the power, rights, and responsibilities that our country gives to married couples at the state and federal levels. Throughout the workshop, Jeana and KD will weave their personal story of struggle for marriage equality in the state legislature, the courtroom, and at the ballot box. Women and Race
Dr. Susan Pliner, Director of CTL & Dr. Cerri Banks, Professor of Education, HWS Art and Activism in Action - Collaborative Educational Zine-ing
Stephanie Feinman and Minerva Muzquiz, WS ‘07 Minnie Muzquiz (WS '07) and Steff Feinman (WS '07) will facilitate a workshop on collaborative zine-ing as a concrete form of activism and art. Minnie and Steff, during their time at HWS, created with the help of others (and plenty o' wine) a series of educational zines for the campus chapter of Naral Pro-choice NY.
The goal for their zines was to make something beautiful and interesting that was also a tool for educating readers on reproductive rights and social justice issues and (hopefully) inspiring action and dialogue. They strived to create something that folks would want to pick up, look at, or even put up on their wall.
At this INTERACTIVE(!) workshop Minnie and Steff will talk briefly about their experience with and approach to zine-making, and share some examples of their work. as a group we will then begin to create and construct a zine that explores the title of this year's (and years past) conference.
We will work on pages alone or collaboratively. if you are craving to make something creative, to sprawl out on the floor and make a mess - join us! Men in the Women’s Movement Rory Cooper, Felipe Esteban, Dale Watkins and Jawad Ciprani, Hobart Students This workshop will focus on raising questions regarding the role of men in the women's movement. Through a series of activities and discussions, the workshop will explore questions such as: How are gender roles constructed? What is the nature of patriarchy? Does patriarchy oppress men as well as women? Should men participate in the women's movement, and how so? Does the fact that men can't fully comprehend the experiences of women limit their involvement in the women's movement? Do men always carry the burden of the oppressor even if they are trying to help women? We will share our experiences as we try to answer questions like these throughout our interactive workshop, in an effort to better understand the way that men can be involved in the women's movement. Women and Disability
Mary Kelly, HWS Colleges During this workshop we will explore the intersections between gender and disability, including issues of identity, self-determination, and efforts to overcome discrimination and increase inclusion of women and girls with disabilities. Video and multimedia along with interactive activities will help guide the discussion.