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February 28, 2005
Malveaux highlights daring Women's History Month

BY eric rangus

"Daring To Do Things Differently" is this year's theme for Emory's annual Women's History Month celebration, as the groundbreaking attitude of women leaders past and present is commemorated throughout March.

Delivering the month's keynote speech, "Making Room for Sadie--A Diversity Metaphor," will be Julianne Malveaux, an economist, writer, syndicated columnist and CEO of the multimedia production company Last Word Productions.

"Dr. Malveaux is very impressive," said Lauren Flook, assistant director for programs in the Center for Women. "She is a groundbreaker for African American women in many ways, and she earned her doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in a traditionally male field: economics." Malveaux's speech, free and open to the public, will take place Wednesday, March 23, in Tull Auditorium.

The "Sadie" in Malveaux's title lecture is Sadie Alexander (1898-1989), the first African American woman in the United States to earn a doctorate in economics (1921), the first to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and the first to pass the Pennsylvania bar (both 1927). She was secretary of the National Urban League for 25 years and served on President Harry Truman's Committee on Human Rights.

Malveaux, who Center for Women Director Ali Crown "remarkable," has said called Alexander's life is a metaphor for the groundbreaking efforts of blacks, women and others in pursuit of human rights and equal rights for women and minorities.

The keynote speech is one of many events spread throughout the month. They start Monday, March 1, with the Candler School of Theology's Women's Week themed, "Women's Health and Spirituality: Where Do We Go From Here?" which runs through March 4.

There will be films, worship services, several lectures and symposia and even an open mic event in the Dobbs Center to commemorate International Women's Day, March 8. "Many different disciplines around campus have come together to co-sponsor events," Flook said. "We have events focusing on women in art, women in business, women in religion--there is a great diversity."

A co-sponsorship between the Center for Women and Charis Books will bring author Anne Lamott to campus for a reading and book signing in Winship Ballroom, Thursday, March 24. Copies of her new book, Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, will be available for purchase.

"Speaking to women around campus, I've found that Lamott has been very influential in a lot of their lives," Flook said.

A full schedule of events can be found on the Center for Women's website at www.womenscenter.emory.edu. For more information, contact Flook at 404-727-2001 or lflook@emory.edu.

 

 

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