Bulletin News

03/06/2011 

The celebration of Women’s History Month at SUNY Cortland will run through Thursday, March 31, with a series of speakers, presentations and art exhibitions.

Presented by the Women’s Studies Committee, the events are free and open to the public.

“This is truly a collaborative effort across a number of departments and offices on our campus,” said Caroline Kaltefleiter, associate professor of communication studies and coordinator of the Women’s Studies Program. “We’re showcasing our own women’s studies faculty and students as well as international scholars, artists and activists.”

Gallery Talk: “The Making of an ‘Artiste:’ Nakunte Diarra’s Signature Bògòlanfini Design,” will be presented by guest speaker Barbara G. Hoffman, director of the Visual Anthropology Center at Cleveland State University beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, in Dowd Gallery.

The talk coincides with the current exhibit at the gallery, which features Bògòlanfini, or mudcloth, from the Bamana women of West Africa. Art works on display are from the private collection Kassim Koné, Sociology/Anthropology Department. The mud-dyed cloth of the Bamana women artists of Mali is a living art form, constantly changing, reflecting new concerns, inspirations and patronage. Most pieces were made by the renowned Nakunte Diarra, whose work has been put on permanent display at the Smithsonian. Koné is Bamana himself and is from Mali.

Lecture Series: Bianca Hendricks, a health major with a minor in women’s studies, will present the second of a two-part series titled, “Our Health, Our Lives: Health and Wellness in Women of Color,” on Wednesday, March 9. Noelle Chaddock Paley, director of multicultural life and diversity and an adjunct faculty member in the Africana Studies and Philosophy departments, serves as the faculty advisor for this project. She will moderate the discussion that begins at 5 p.m. in the Corey Union Exhibition Lounge.

“Women of the Shale” Panel Discussion: Four women from around the region will address the topic of gas drilling and hydrofracking at a “Women of the Shale” panel discussion on Wednesday, March 9.

“Teaching and Activism” is the title of the discussion that will focus on four questions: 

• Why did you become concerned about gas drilling/hydrofracking?
• How have you used your strengths and talents to address these concerns?
• What have you accomplished?
• What can others do to become an activist in this realm? 

The talk will begin at 7 p.m. in Sperry Center, Room 205.

Sheila Cohen, SUNY Cortland professor emerita of literacy, will serve as the moderator.

2011 Charles N. Poskanzer Lecture: On Monday, March 21, Kelli McCormack Brown, professor and associate dean at the College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, will discuss “Social Marketing: What’s the Value Added for Health Promotion Research and Practice?” The talk begins at 7 p.m. in Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge.

Brooks Lecture Series: Judith Van Buskirk, associate professor of history, will present “The Glam Girls and the Studios: Stars of the Early Silver Screen as Workers” on Wednesday, March 23.

The lecture will begin at 4:30 p.m. in Moffett Center, Room 2125. A reception to welcome the speaker will begin at 4 p.m. at the Rozanne M. Brooks Museum in Moffett Center, Room 2126. The 2010-11 Rozanne M. Brooks Lecture Series encompasses the theme of “Women’s Worlds Redux.”

“We tend to think of the great actresses of the silver screen as somewhat vacuous, pampered dolls,” Van Buskirk said. “But many were trailblazers in the movie business, taking on the big studios and risking their careers on social issues.”

Van Buskirk, who has a doctorate from New York University, has focused her research on the involvement of women and African Americans in events surrounding the American Revolution.

Guest Artist Lecture and Demonstration: Ceramicist Denise Pelletier, associate professor of art at Connecticut College, will present “Out of Place” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, in the Dowd Gallery sculpture pit.

Women’s Path to Success Panel Discussion: Learn about five talented women and how their paths led to SUNY Cortland on Thursday, March 24. Moderated by Jena Curtis, associate professor of health, the presentation is from 3-4:30 p.m. in Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge.

Panelists include:

• Mary Kate Boland, assistant director, leadership and community development, Campus Activities

• Jamie Dangler, associate professor, Sociology/Anthropology Department

• Vicki Johnson, protestant chaplain, Interfaith Center

• Virginia Levine, executive assistant to the president, President’s Office

• Sherry Snell, secretary II, Physical Education Department (retired)

Women of Color Celebration: The celebration begins at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, in Corey Union Exhibition Lounge.

Presentation: “Becoming an Advocate: I Don’t Tolerate Hate,” will be presented by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Committee co-chairs Kate Coffey and Aimee Greeley, Health Department, at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, in Brockway Hall Jacobus Lounge.

Women’s History Month Closing Reception and Lecture: On Thursday, March 31, guest speaker Tavy D. Aherne will present “Meaningful Mud: Exploring Bogolanfini Textiles Through the Works of Nakunte Diarra.” Aherne is visiting professor and art historian from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. The talk begins at 5 p.m. in Dowd Gallery.

Women’s History Month is co-sponsored by the Women’s Studies Committee, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Committee; Native American Studies Committee, the President’s and Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs offices; the Campus Artist and Lecture Series (CALS); the Art and Art History Department, Dowd Gallery, Africana Studies, Sociology/Anthropology, Health, and History departments; the Education Club; Professional Development School; deans of the schools of Arts and Sciences and Education; Women’s Initiatives Committee; the Center for Gender and Intercultural Studies (CGIS) and Gas Drilling Awareness for Cortland County (GDAAC).

For more information about Women’s History Month, contact Kaltefleiter by e-mail or at (607) 753-4203.