| Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters
Center for Women,
Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) | Newsletter 2012
Message from the Interim Director Welcome to the 2012 (WGSS) Newsletter that highlights the accomplishments of faculty and students in the past year. The Center had a very productive and successful year and we are grateful for the dedication and support of the faculty, students, staff, friends and the Advisory Council members who contributed to the success of Women’s Equality Day, the
Center’s colloquia, the FAU Third Annual Women’s Leadership Forum, the Florida Consortium for Women’s Studies, the Refuge screening as well as two student-organized events: the Feminist Forum on Sexual Abuse and the activities related to Domestic Violence month. During Women’s History month, the Center organized and sponsored many activities. Among these, we hosted a lecture by poet and human rights activist Alicia Partnoy on March 16, and the Graduate Student Association held their Annual Conference on March 30, 2012. – Nora Erro-Peralta
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women’s equality day 2011 On August 26, 1971, one year after the Women’s Strike for Equality, Congress established Women’s Equality Day — per a request from Congresswoman Bella Abzug. Image : (left)“Women’s Voices and Voting” panel members from left to right: Dr. Jane Caputi, Supervisor Susan Bucher, Representative Lori Berman, Dr. Nora Erro-Peralta, moderator Rhonda Swan, and The Honorable Annie Betancourt.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of women’s suffrage, Betty Friedan led the Women’s Strike for Equality in New York City on August 26, 1970. Joined by numerous feminist leaders, including Gloria Steinem and Congresswoman Bella Abzug, the strike became a national event as women joined together to celebrate the 19th Amendment and to advocate for women’s equality. On August 26, 1971, one year after the Women’s Strike for Equality, Congress established Women’s Equality Day—per a request from Congresswoman Abzug. This year, the CWGSS celebrated the 40th anniversary of Women’s Equality Day. On August 26, 2011, more than 100 supporters gathered on campus in Boca Raton, joined by elected officials, professors, and community organizations. We heard great questions during the panel discussion “Women’s Voices and Voting,” moderated by Rhonda Swan, a reporter and columnist for the Palm Beach Post. Special thanks for their thought-provoking answers to our panel members: Florida State Representative Lori Berman; Susan Bucher, Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections; The Honorable Annie Betancourt, former Florida State
Representative; and professors Dr. Jane Caputi and Dr. Nora Erro-Peralta from the FAU Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies program. Finally, thanks to the elected officials and legislative staff in attendance.
Co-sponsoring organizations included Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, Planned Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast, the Women’s Foundation of Palm Beach County, Junior League of the Palm Beaches, National Council of Jewish Women Palm Beach Section, League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County, Feminist Scholarship Fund, Palm Beach County National Organization for Women, Palm Beach County Young Democrats, Tara Laxer Consulting, Jewish Women’s Foundation of South Palm Beach County, National Women’s Political Caucus of Florida, and Compass, the Gay and Lesbian Community Center. By Judith Selzer, Advisory Council Member and WGSS Alumna
Screened Image: Congresswoman Bella Abzug announcing she will oppose Rep. William Ryan in NYC Democratic primary, New York, NY, US, 1972, photo by Leonard Mccombe. The CWGSS would like to thank Judith Selzer for her excellent work organizing Women’s Equality Day.