WCSU celebrates Women’s History Month

March events are open to public

DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University will honor Women’s History Month with the following events scheduled for March 2014. The events are free and open to the public. For more information, send an email to alloccok@wcsu.edu or call (203) 837-8482.

MAR 1 – 31        EXHIBITION: Western will host an exhibit of sculptures by alumna Erin Zaffis during library hours in the Ruth Haas Library on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White Street in Danbury. The works on display will be from Zaffis’ show, “MAMA.”

MAR. 4               LEADERSHIP ACADEMY GLOW DISCUSSION: Dr. Jeannie Hatcherson, WCSU assistant professor of social sciences, will discuss “Leadership Academy GLOW” at 12:30 p.m. in Warner Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Hatcherson will share her experiences working at GLOW in Bulgaria. In 2000, Camp GLOW was established by Peace Corps volunteers. Although the Peace Corps is no longer in Bulgaria, GLOW continues and has been honored by the U.S. Department of State for its success. Today, Leadership Academy GLOW is an all-women run volunteer organization. Through a one-week peer-leadership experience, GLOW alumni continue their mission of empowering and educating young Bulgarian girls.

MAR. 5               LECTURE: Dr. Jeanne I. Lakatos will discuss “The Operetta ‘Luminescence’: Femininity and Musical Genres” at 12:15 p.m. in Room 508 of the Ruth Haas Library on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. The lecture will incorporate literature, music and sensory perceptions as the literary inspiration for Lakatos’ operetta, “Luminescence,” is explored.

MAR. 11             ARTIST TALK: Alumna Erin Zaffis will discuss “Birth as a Creative Process” at 2 p.m. in the Atrium of the Ruth Haas Library on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Zaffis will discuss her inspiration and methods for her sculptures that celebrate motherhood. The sculptures, from the exhibit “MAMA,” will be on display during library hours throughout March.

MAR. 12             PANEL DISCUSSION: A panel discussion, “Standing on the Shoulders of the Women Who Came before Us,” will be at 12:15 p.m. in Room 201 of the Student Center on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. The discussion will focus on the legacy of great local women, including women from our community who were first in their field. It also will bring to light the stories of Alice Paul and those who fought for equal rights, social justice and more.

MAR. 13              READINGS: Western will present readings and book-signings by two Department of History and Non-Western Cultures faculty members at 12:15 p.m. in the atrium of the Ruth Haas Library on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Associate Professor Dr. Leslie Lindenauer will read from “I Could Not Call Her Mother: The Stepmother in American Popular Culture, 1750 – 1970” and Assistant Professor Dr. Jennifer Duffy will read from “Who’s Your Paddy? Racial Expectations and the Struggle for Irish American Identity.”

MAR. 13              READING: Fulbright Scholar Alexandra Lehmann and WCSU Professor of History and Non-Western Cultures Dr. Michael Nolan will read from the writings of Sophie Scholl at 7 p.m. in Room 102 of Warner Hall on the university’s Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Scholl had a role in Munich’s student resistance against the Nazi regime. This event is sponsored by the WCSU German Studies Center.

MAR. 26             FILM SCREENING AND LECTURE: Professor of World Languages and Literature Dr. Galina Bakhtiarova will host a film screening and discussion about “Zarah Leander: A Swedish Star of the Nazi Film Industry” at 5:30 p.m. in Warner Hall on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Leander’s controversial career working in Nazi cinema raises many questions about her art and legacy, which have often been labeled as Nazi propaganda. Bakhtiarova will explore the politics of film and screen some of Leander’s work.

MAR. 27             MENTOR OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION: Professor of Education and Educational Psychology Dr. Darla Shaw will host an event to celebrate the Mentor of the Year, Lauren Dalton, founder of Grass Roots Tennis, at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Center Theater on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Since 2006, Grass Roots Tennis has enriched the lives of Danbury’s youth by offering them opportunities to be active and to learn a new sport and skills. Children cultivate their athleticism, self-esteem and confidence through this unique and innovative program.

All listings are subject to change. Please call to confirm.

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York. Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics
of New England’s best small private universities.