WOMEN'S STUDIES
BULLETIN

January/February 2005

Table of Contents:
ASSOCIATE OF THE MONTH
STUDENT OF THE MONTH-AUSTIN SAWICKI
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
ASSOCIATE EVENT IN APRIL
URW HAS A NEW NAME
M/MLA 2005 IN MILWAUKEE
14TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
NEW FEMINIST MAGAZINE
MOTHERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

ASSOCIATE OF THE MONTH
Kelly Happe, assistant professor of Communication, is our associate in the spotlight. Happe received her Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in Communication Studies, with an emphasis in Rhetorical Studies. She received her master’s degree from Baylor, where she served as a debate coach. Her undergraduate degree was in Political Science from the University of Georgia.

Her dissertation research stemmed from her interest in the rhetoric of science. Happe explained that, “looking at science from the perspectives of the humanities is utterly fascinating.” Specifically, her dissertation focused on the rhetoric of breast cancer research, both in academic research and in the dissemination of that research to the public. Happe focused on the geneticization of breast cancer—how research has become focused on genetic mutations as the primary cause of cancer. According to Happe, this focus has consequently “diseased women’s bodies,” which has severe ramifications for how women’s bodies are viewed and treated. For example, women’s healthy breasts are often immediately and completely removed. Then, plastic surgery is used to create new breasts. Procedures like this one are increasingly thought of as appropriate methods of cancer prevention even though they pose serious risks to the healthy women undergoing them. For her research, Happe just won the University of Pittsburgh’s Women’s Studies Best Dissertation Award for 2004.

Currently Happe is working on transforming her dissertation into a book, in which she is also including research on the rhetoric surrounding ovarian cancer, where geneticization is an even worse problem. Her dissertation research has also brought forth her interest in the language of race, and how race is presented, when researching high risk groups that have increased rates of genetic mutations.

Happe’s interests in political science and rhetoric are readily demonstrated in her passion for activism, a recurring theme throughout her career. Indeed, Happe became associated and interested in Women’s Studies through her connection with the Pro-Choice movement. Currently she is trying to start a branch of an activist group, Women Strike for Security, in DeKalb. This nationwide group focuses on the lack of discourse about women and women’s issues in politics. She would like to be more involved in activism on campus and feels her connection to Women’s Studies will help her network with other activist women. She also hopes one day to teach a Women’s Studies course, either Feminism in Science or Feminist Rhetorical Studies. If you want to learn more about Happe, stop by her office in Watson 305.

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STUDENT OF THE MONTH

Austin Sawicki, graduate student in Philosophy and Women’s Studies concentrator, is our student in the spotlight. Sawicki joined NIU from Gonzaga University in Washington, where he received his B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies. Although he is pursuing a general degree in Philosophy, Sawicki is most interested in existentialism and phenomenology. He really enjoys asking the big questions, such as, “What does it mean to exist?” Currently, he serves as a teaching assistant for Contemporary Moral Issues and for World Religions.

Sawicki demonstrates his passion for philosophy, feminist theology, and Women’s Studies in his research and interest in activism. According to Sawicki, his undergraduate education "rocked his world" by exposing him to a radical, progressive theological worldview. He grew up with a more theologically conservative view of the world, which was transformed when he took classes in sexual morality and in feminist theology. His current view of women and feminism has really become a focus in his academic interests.

Sawicki isn’t exactly certain what he will do when he graduates. He may apply for graduate programs in Theological Studies, or he may join the Peace Corps or Jesuit Volunteers’ International. What he does know is that he wants always to have the opportunity for service, especially with youth. Indeed, what he probably enjoys most about his assistantship is his interactions with his students.

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WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH EVENTS
Mark your calendars for some of our featured events this March. The full calendar will soon be printed, and in the meantime, visit our website at: www.clas.niu.edu/wstudies/whm2005.htm.

Tuesday, March 1
7:00 p.m. “Beyond Charlie's Angels: The New World of the Action Heroine.” Sherrie Inness, Professor at Miami University of Ohio, shows how tough women are challenging traditional roles for females and some ways these roles are contained. Sponsors: Department of Teaching and Learning, University Libraries, Women’s Studies, and Graduate Colloquium Committee. Holmes Student Center, Heritage Room.

Wednesday, March 2
10:00 a.m. “The Enchantment of Mixing-Spoons: Cookbooks for Girls and Boys.” Sherrie Inness, Professor at Miami University of Ohio, argues that juvenile cookbooks do more than teach how to grill a steak or bake a cake; they demonstrate to boys and girls the attitudes society expects them to adopt toward cooking. Sponsors: Department of Teaching and Learning, University Libraries, Women’s Studies, and Graduate Colloquium Committee. Founders Memorial Library, Staff Lounge, Lower Level.

Thursday, March 3
4:30 p.m. “100 Years of Evening Dresses: A 20th-Century Journey of Body Adornment and Body Display.” Barbara Cole Peters, private collector of women’s twentieth-century fashions, will showcase several evening dresses. Peters will demonstrate how they provide an insight into 20th century concepts of beauty, style, and self-expression while illustrating major changes in social attitudes and tastes. Reservations are required. Call (815)753-1038. Space is limited. Sponsors: Office of the President and Women’s Studies. President’s Residence.

Tuesday, March 8
12:15 “I, Doll.” A satirical documentary about the most popular doll in America, Barbie. Lois Self, Associate Professor and Chair of Communication, will lead a discussion afterward. Bring a brown bag lunch. Sponsor: Women’s Studies. Reavis 211.

Wednesday, March 23
4:00 p.m. “Trying Out For Womanhood: The Cheerleader as the Embodiment of the Ideal Girl.” Natalie Guice Adams, Associate Professor, the University of Alabama, discusses how cheerleaders are both vilified and glorified, how cheerleading enacts both wholesome and erotic facets of American femininity, and how cheerleading reflects our shifting beliefs about sports and gender. Sponsors: omen’s Studies and Graduate Colloquium Committee. HSC, Heritage Room.

Thursday, March 24
11:00 a.m. “Cheerleaders, Tomboys, and Girlie Girls: Athleticism and Girlhood in the 21st Century.” Natalie Guice Adams, Associate Professor, the University of Alabama discusses how today's girl must negotiate the expectation that she is both a tomboy—assertive and athletic—and a girlie girl—attractive, slim, and heterosexual. Sponsors: Women’s Studies and Graduate Colloquium Committee. HSC, Heritage Room.

Wednesday, March 30
6:00 p.m. “The Good Body.” An informal reading of Eve Ensler’s new play followed by a discussion with Dr. Alexandra Bennett, NIU Assistant Professor of English. Voluntary donations will be collected for a local women’s shelter. Sponsors: Women’s Studies and Student Association. HSC, Diversions Lounge.

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ASSOCIATE EVENT IN APRIL
Virginia Wilcox-Gök, associate professor of Economics, will be presenting “The Economics of Gender and Mental Health” on Wednesday, April 20, at 3:30 p.m. in Reavis 103. Her talk will focus on her recently published co-edited book, which addresses the role of gender and mental health on labor market outcomes.

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URW HAS A NEW NAME
Under the restructuring of Student Affairs, University Resources for Women is now the Women's Resource Center.

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M/MLA 2005 IN MILWAUKEE
The M/MLA Women’s Studies Panel invites one-page abstracts for submissions for the upcoming M/MLA conference to be held in Milwaukee, November 10-13, 2005. They welcome papers in all fields that address the ways in which women have challenged traditional associations with the interior, domestic, or private spheres. Please contact Janis Breckenridge at breckenridjb@hiram.edu for more information.

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14TH ANNUAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE
Loyola University will host the conference, Women’s Experience: A Global Perspective, on Saturday, March 12, 2005. Contact The Gannon Center for more information at gannoncenter@luc.edu.

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NEW FEMINIST MAGAZINE
Melody Berger, senior Women's Studies major at
at Temple University in Philadelphia, is starting a feminist
magazine for teens and is looking for contributors. The magazine already has interviews lined up with notable third wave feminists, including Amy Richardson, founder of the Third Wave Organization. The magazine is looking for feminist writers and artists. You can contact her at HowlingHarpies@gmail.com.

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MOTHERS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Applications for the scholarship are due February 25. Upper level undergraduate students and graduate students may apply. Application forms are available on-line or in Reavis 103.

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