“Bridging Differences: Conversations on Gender, Race and Equality” to feature lectures, discussions and annual art exhibit
William Woods University (WWU) will host its third annual symposium next week with programming that explores issues of diversity and equality. “Bridging Differences: Conversations on Gender, Race and Equality” will be held from Sunday, March 18 through Tuesday, March 20, featuring lectures, discussions and an art exhibit.
“We established the symposium in 2016 as college campuses and our nation wrestled with issues of race relations, sexual misconduct, equality and free speech, and it is clear two years later that the need for such dialogue is as important as ever,” said Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett, president of William Woods University. “William Woods will always be committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and respectful campus environment, and the discussions we are about to once again engage in reflect that.”
The symposium was made possible through a generous donation by former William Woods associate professor of Spanish Dr. Mary Mosley, who stated “my hope is that William Woods can become known as a leader in addressing these important social issues, and a university that is not afraid to confront the country’s most pressing problems.”
The schedule of symposium events, which are all free and open to the public, includes the following:
Sunday, March 18
4-7 p.m., Mildred Cox Gallery at the Gladys Woods Kemper Center for the Arts: opening reception for the Bridging Differences Art Exhibit
The work of 25 artists explores how the issues of gender and race influence contemporary culture. The show will run until March 31 at the Cox Gallery, which is open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Dulany Library Auditorium: A Conversation with Joan Morgan (keynote event)
A pioneering hip-hop journalist and award-winning feminist author, Joan Morgan coined the term “hip-hop feminism” in 1999 with the publication of When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost, which is now used at colleges and universities across the country. She has taught at Duke University, Stanford University and the New School.
Monday, March 19
Noon – 1 p.m., Ivy Room (Tucker Dining Hall): Jane Mudd, “Women Artists across the Centuries”
An assistant professor of Art at William Woods, Professor Mudd’s presentation will explore the work and reception of five prominent female artists from the 17th to the 21st century.
3-3:50 p.m., Burton building room 006: Allie Pierce, “Gazing Back: The Colonial Gaze and the Women of Casa X”
Allie Pierce is a PhD candidate in Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her presentation will explore the subjective understanding of Malcolm Venville’s photographs of sex workers in Mexico City, including colonial attitudes and the agency of the women being photographed.
4-4:50 p.m., Burton building room 006: Sean Rost: “Race, Gender and 100% Americanism: Understanding the Rise and Fall of the Ku Klux Klan, 1915-1930.”
Sean Rost is a PhD candidate in History at the University of Missouri, Columbia. His presentation will cover the history of the KKK in Missouri and discuss how gender and race factored in to the rise of the Klan.
6:30-8 p.m., Dulany Library Auditorium: Vicki Wilkerson, “Diversity, Democracy and Technology: Inclusivity in the Digital Age”
Vicki Wilkerson is a Senior Global Trade Manager with Salesforce, a leading technology company. She will discuss how technology democratizes economies – from social media to artificial intelligence – by partly erasing geographic and social differences, including technology’s role in providing a platform for both distance learning and digital commerce. WWU is proud to have Ms. Wilkerson – a native of Auxvasse, Mo., William Woods graduate and current member of the WWU Board of Trustees – presenting at the the symposium this year.
Tuesday, March 20
12:30 – 1:30 p.m., Ivy Room (Tucker Dining Hall): Doug Sanders, “Female Representation in the Sporting World”
An assistant professor of Sports Management at William Woods, Professor Sanders’ presentation will provide an overview of the progress and challenges facing women in sport. The role of women as athletes, administrators and members of the media will be highlighted.
3:30 – 4:20 p.m., Burton building room 006: Virginia Muhammed, “Me, Too and You: Why the #MeToo Movement is so important”
Virginia Muhammed’s presentation will discuss the current movement to call out sexual violence through the advocacy of survivors. The session will explore the history of the movement, how sexual violence impacts our communities, and consider ways we as individuals can work to end sexual violence.
4:30 – 5:20 p.m., Burton building room 006: Dr. Lisa Sitler, “Gender, Race and Health Inequality”
Dr. Sitler is the Director of Nursing at William Woods. Her presentation will focus on how gender and race impact health care.
6:30 – 8 p.m., McNutt Student Center, Cutlip Auditorium: Dr. Lori Hart, President’s Concert and Lecture Series
In this program, Dr. Hart explores biology, research, stereotypes and communication theory in an effort to help both men and women better understand the complexity of gender and development.
