Southeastern to celebrate Women's History Month
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University will host Women's History Month during March with a free lecture series.
"As always, we in the Department of History and Political Science are happy to join with our colleagues in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences in sponsoring the 2014 Women's History Month series," said Bill Robison, head of the department. "We have a diverse and interesting list of presentations this year that are offered at a variety of times. We encourage everyone to join us in celebrating Women's History."
The schedule for Women's History Month includes:
▪ March 12, 2 p.m., Sims Library– Sarah Annunziato of the University of Virginia: "Sex, Lies, and Stereotypes: Images of Italy in American News Coverage of the Amanda Knox Case." American Amanda Knox was convicted of murder in an Italian court in 2009, found innocent by an appellate court in 2011, then found guilty by Italy's highest court on the basis of a prosecutorial appeal in 2013. Annunziato will discuss stereotypes in American coverage of this story based on her analysis of over 400 news accounts. This is the latest installment in the 2013-14 Erna Delglmayr Lecture Series organized by Francesco Fiumara, associate professor, and sponsored by the Department of Languages and Communication and the Italian Club.
▪ March 17, 1 p.m., Student Union Theatre – Suzanne Booth-Ledoux: "Having Their Cake and Eating It Too: Women at Home and Work." A member of the psychology faculty at Southeastern, Booth-Ledoux, will discuss work-family conflict, which is described as inter-role conflict between an individual's family and work lives and responsibilities. She will address the issue of how women can manage to have a successful home life while also advancing careers.
▪ March 20, 1 p.m., Student Union Theatre – Caroline Armbruster, graduate student in history at LSU: "The Dowager and the Duchess: Comparing Historical Images of Catherine Parr and Ann Stanhope." Former Southeastern student Armbruster will examine the relationship between Parr and Stanhope. In 1547, the two women, who had been friends, allegedly fought over precedence at the Tudor Court. Essentially a myth, the quarrel created an image of Stanhope as vindictive and prideful, while Parr remains a celebrated and beloved figure. By examining why, Armbruster will raise questions about gender, historical perception, and myth versus reality in history.
▪ March 25, 11 a.m., Student Union Theatre – Catherine Loomis of UNO: "Queen Elizabeth's Knees: An Open and Shut Case." English Professor Loomis will discuss portraits of the queen in which she is sitting. In these images, the queen adopts what may now be called an unladylike pose, with her knees spread wide. Loomis will ask what these images of the seated Elizabeth reveal about the queen's efforts to keep and use royal power.
For additional information about Southeastern's Women's History Month, contact Robison at 985-549-2413 or wrobison@southeastern.edu.
