Women's Center to host symposium on reproductive rights
The Connecticut College Women's Center will host "When Justice Has a Body: A Symposium on Reproductive Rights" on Friday, Feb. 3. This event, which is open to the public, will provide members of the community an opportunity to explore the history and contemporary issues related to abortion and reproductive rights in America. The idea for the symposium arose during a conversation between Colleen Bunn, an area coordinator in the Office of Residential Life and Education and adviser to the Women's Center, and students Jennifer Edgar '12 and Carter Goffigon '14. "They grew up with the rights afforded by Roe v. Wade. Both felt that, with some of the restrictions placed on reproductive rights in recent years and discussions about defunding Planned Parenthood, it was important to discuss the history of the reproductive rights movement and bring in someone who can talk about the future of reproductive rights," said Bunn. "The event gives participants the opportunity to talk about legislative action that is affecting their lives right now." The symposium will begin with a presentation at 11:50 a.m. by Loretta Ross, the co-founder of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. Ross has worked in the feminist movement for more than 35 year in areas ranging from human rights education to reproductive justice activism. The schedule for the remainder of the symposium includes the following talks: -1:10 p.m.: Facilitated dialogue with Loretta Ross and Megan Reback '12 -1:30 p.m.: Joan Chrisler, the Class of '43 Professor of Psychology at Connecticut College -2:15 p.m.: Jennifer Edgar '12, Planned Parenthood intern at Connecticut College -2:45 p.m.: Gretchen Raffa, manager of public affairs and community organizing for Planned Parenthood of Southern New England -3:15 p.m.: Zak Kirwood, Planned Parenthood intern at Wesleyan University -4 p.m.: Miriam Perez, editor of Feministing.com and radical doula All events will take place in the Ernst Common Room of the Blaustein Humanities Center. Registration is free with a Connecticut College ID and $5 for others. To register, visit womenscenter.conncoll.edu. A portion of registration fees will go to V-Day: The Vagina Monologues, a movement that supports anti-violence organizations throughout the world. In addition to the Women's Center, the event is sponsored by the Dean of Students, Dean of the College, Dean of the College, Center for the Comparative Study of Race and Ethnicity and Student Activities Council. To view other events on campus this month, visit the Connecticut College calendar of events.
January 31, 2012