"Warrior Girls: The Benefits and Perils of Women's Sports"

This Wednesday, October 30th at 6:30 p.m., Michael Sokolove will be giving his presentation, "Warrior Girls: The Benefits and Perils of Women's Sports." Michael Sokolove is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine, as we as the author of two previous books, The Ticket Out: Darryl Strawberry and the Boys of Crenshaw, and Hustle: The Myth, Life, and Lies of Pet Rose. He has appeared on numerous national television and radio news shows, including ABC's Good Morning America and ESPN's Outside The Lines. While Sokolove has written about a broad range of topics, his specialty has been the sociology and culture of sports. Sokolove's most recent work explores the 1979 Crenshaw High Cougars basketball team, and the myth that success in sports is a ticket out of the inner city.

Following the talk, there will be a discussion facilitated by Dr. Rick Eckstein (Department of Sociology) and Stacy Coburn-Carone (Assistant Coach at Villanova).

This event is co-sponsored by Honors, Peace and Justice Education, Sociology, and Communication.

Spotlight on Human Trafficking

Director Kat Rohrer talks with students during
the Q&A session following the film.

GWS would like to thank all members of the Villanova community who attended our event yesterday evening. We showed the documentary, Fatal Promises, which examined human trafficking in both the United States and abroad. Through personal stories of victims and interviews with politicians, NGO representatives and activists, Fatal Promises provides a comprehensive look at the realities of human trafficking versus the rhetoric of politicians and pundits who claim to be making significant strides in combating this horrific crime against humanity

 

Following the film, we had a Q&A session with the director, Kat Rohrer. Students asked some wonderful questions about human trafficking in America and how individuals--particularly college students--can make a difference.

Kat recommended that those interested in this issue should get involved with NGOs who daily fight to end human trafficking. To see a list of such NGOS,  click here. Additionally, Kat emphasized that what we purchase and economically support plays a significant role in the persistence of human trafficking. She recommended Slavery Footprints , which investigates popular stores and companies in order to expose which use forced laborers. Lastly, students were encouraged to immediately contact the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (1-888-373-3888) if they ever think that they have come across a case of human trafficking.

"Plastic Boy: Transgender Identity Unpacked"

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On Wednesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. Aiden Kosciesza will visit Villanova to give his presentation, "Plastic Boy: Transgender Identity Unpacked."

Aiden is a transgender writer, speaker, and activist who has given presentations about LGBT identity both in the US and abroad. He first spoke out about LGBT civil rights as a graduate student at Villanova's Freedom School, and later focused on transgender issues as he explored his own identity as a transsexual man. He began sharing his personal story of discovery aboard Peace Boat, a Japanese NGO that promotes peace and understanding through sustainable travel.

This event is co-sponsored by Villanova's Gay Straight Coalition and the English department. We hope that you will join us to hear Aiden's personal and thought-provoking story!

ACS Approved Event: "Fatal Promises"

Click to view larger version of the flyer.

UN. Gift reports that an estimated 2.5 million people are in forced labor (including sexual exploitation) as a result of human trafficking. An estimated 1.2 million of those victims are children. In 2008, it was reported that for every 800 people trafficked, only one abuser was convicted.

On Monday, October 21st at 5:30 pm GWS will be showing the documentary Fatal Promises. Through personal stories of victims and interviews with politicians, NGO representatives and activists, Fatal Promises provides a comprehensive look at the  realities of human trafficking versus the rhetoric of politicians and pundits who claim to be making significant strides in combating this horrific crime against humanity. You can find out more at their website.

Following the film, there will be a Q&A session with the film's director, Kat Rohrer.

This is an ACS approved event. Please tell your colleagues, students, and friends about this important event. We hope that you will be able to join us!

Villanova Majors Fair

A big thanks to everyone who stopped by to meet us at the Majors Fair this past Friday afternoon! We were thrilled to talk with you!
 

From L to R: Emily Tifft (GWS Major), Teddi Hermes (GWS Graduate Assistant), and Jean Lutes (GWS Academic Director).

If you are interested in pursuing a major or minor in Gender and Women's Studies, please contact our academic director, Jean Lutes, at jean.lutes@villanova.edu. You can also find out more at our website.

 

"Deaf Jam"

The Gender and Women's Studies program would like to invite you to a film showing of Deaf Jam, held on Saturday, October 5th at 3:00 pm in Connelly Cinema.

Deaf Jam is a 2011 documentary film directed and produced by American filmmaker Judy Lieff. The film centers on the experience of Aneta Brodski, a deaf teenager living in New York, who becomes immersed in the dynamic and three-dimensional form of American Sign Language poetry. When Aneta, an Israel-born, ASL poet, eventually meets Tahani, a Palestinian, spoken word poet, the two begin to collaborate, creating a new form of poetry that gains recognition in Deaf and hearing communities alike. You can read more about the film here.

Following the film, there will be a Q&A session with participants from the film, as well as a slam poetry and ASL workshop.

Click to view larger version of flyer.

We hope to see you there!

$tart $mart Workshop

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Negotiating salaries is a challenge for women at all stages of their careers, since women are significantly less likely than men to ask for what they want and deserve. This week, there will be an interactive workshop that will help female students prepare themselves for the job market. The $tart $mart workshop will take place on Wednesday, September 25th, in Dougherty West Lounge. It is for students who want to increase their negotiating skills and learn more about the challenges facing women in the workforce. Food, drink, and lots of information will be provided!

There is still time to register. You can contact Joyce Harden (joyce.harden@villanova.edu) for more information, or register yourself at http://tinyurl.com/vustartsmart.

The program is sponsored by the Gender and Women's Studies program, along with Student Development, the Society of Women Engineers, Women’s Professional Network, the College of Engineering, and the College of Nursing. The $tart $mart workshop is a campus initiative and collaboration between AAUW and the WAGE Project.