Speakers Bureau Program
Alumnae Speakers
Lise Balk-King ’86
Publisher/Producer
Native Voice Media, Inc.
Rapid City, SD
“Stepping off the Path: How Making your Own Choices Might Just Lead You to Where You Were Supposed to Be”
Balk-King writes, in an introduction to her talk: “At age 27, I left my past life behind to marry a Lakota Sioux Indian and move to the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Today, my husband and I own the only independent national Native newspaper, The Native Voice. I have lived an unusual life and made unusual choices, contrary to the dictates of society, my family, and my upbringing. It has been a difficult path filled with uncertainty and insecurity. However, I know myself fully and own my choices and my life completely. It is a place of complete empowerment. I do not want to lecture on the wisdom of my choices, but on the challenges and rewards of taking risks, creating a fulfilling life, and being an ‘Uncommon Woman.’”
“The History of Native America that Most People Don’t (But Should) Know”
Ask the “average American” about Indian Country, and you will most likely receive a spotty mish-mash of semi-facts and pop-culture-inspired images of Native Americans. This lecture will provide, with images, some basic facts about life in Indian Country. For example, did you know that Indian people are each given a number and are still legally “wards of the U.S. government” and that “reservations” are legally on par with military installations in many ways? Did you know that, although Indians fought in WWI alongside their non-Native American brothers, when they returned home they still did not have the right to vote? It’s also true that Indian people were not granted their U.S. citizenship (and voting rights) until 1924. As there are volumes of information to be discussed, this presentation will only serve to whet the appetite for listeners to learn more on their own. It is a fascinating and important history.
“Art and Culture in Native America in the Post-Modern Age”
Uber-modern technology, such as satellite television and the Internet, has clearly affected modern life in profound ways. But nowhere has it caused such dramatic changes, virtually overnight, as in the previously isolated communities of Indian Country. The effects of this sudden change on the social fabric have been traumatic, including the effect on collective self-esteem and the very touch-points by which Indian people identify themselves and their place in the larger world. This lecture will examine the fascinating impact that this change has had on the communities, on the social and cultural fabric, and on the struggle of individuals to express themselves through art and their “new” mediums of multi-media. For the purpose of keeping this lecture reasonable in scope, it will speak in some broad terms about Indian Country at large, but will focus more specifically on Lakota communities in Western South Dakota.
› Wendy Hagen Bauer ’71
Professor • Astronomy
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA
“The Search for Extraterrestrial Life”
An overview of stars’ lives and why some are suitable for life and some are not, as well as an overview of our own solar system and the conditions on the planets, and attempts to detect radio signals from intelligent civilizations.
“Red Giants, White Dwarfs and Black Holes: The Life History of a Star”
Covers the formation of stars from interstellar clouds, their energy production through nuclear fusion, and their final ends as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or black holes.
Notes:Professor Bauer is also willing to give talks on other astronomical subjects of interest.
Both talks require a computer projector be available for PowerPoint Images. Interested in speaking to joint groups of Mount Holyoke and Wellesley alumnae. Willing to travel internationally.
› Maura A. Belliveau ’85
Associate Professor • Organizations & Management, Goizueta Business School
Emory University
Atlanta, GA
“Gender, Networks and Career Attainment”
The admonition to “network” is often the centerpiece of career advice given to women in organizations. However, little attention is given either to the nature of the networks that women require to advance or to the potential obstacles to building strategic networks that will support their career goals. Professor Belliveau highlights her own and others’ research showing the distinct social networks that support women’s career attainment, the pitfalls of networking exactly as male peers do, and the continuing obstacles to women’s network development and advancement.
“Uncommon Occurrence? Gender Inequity in Pay in Organizations”
Have women really narrowed the pay gap? Although much of the pay gap can be attributed to differences in the occupations that men and women occupy, even when women enter the same occupations and organizations as men, research demonstrates that pay differences sometimes persist. Professor Belliveau describes factors contributing to the gap and individual and societal means to attenuate such difference.
Notes:Especially interested in travel to the San Francisco Bay Area, Boston and New York City. Willing to travel internationally. Prefers to lecture in May, June and July. Unavailable August and September 2008, and January and February 2009.
Diane Biegel ’74
Assistant Research Professor • Molecular and Cellular Biology
University of Connecticut
Hartford, CT
“Against Ourselves: Autoimmunity and the War Within”
As scientists investigate the complex role of the immune system, awareness is growing of the plethora of diseases that arise from alterations in the normal functioning of the immune system. From a basic overview of the immune system, to a discussion of specific ailments that are believed to have an autoimmune basis, the presentation will also focus on information concerning specific diseases that seem to target women in particular.
› Kate Carney MA ’58
Storyteller, Actor, Teacher
www.katecarney.net
Watertown, MA
“1848: Mary Lyon of Mount Holyoke”
…is a woman with a mission. Her Seminary graduates have proven the female mind is equal to the male, but who will succeed her as Principal? And what should they do about strong-minded student Emily Dickinson?
“1789: Rachel Walker, Paul Revere’s Mother-In-Law”
Living history about the Revolutionary Was set in Mrs. Walker’s North End Inn. She reveals first-hand scuttlebutt about the Boston Tea Party, a riot over high prices, and Paul Revere’s ride.
“1911: Annie Sullivan, Teacher”
…insists it was not a miracle but hard work that helped her tame and teach the blind, deaf-mute Helen Keller. Annie’s personal account of how she turned the angry child into one of America’s most-admired women (and changed ideas about the deaf-blind) is inspiring and astounding.
“1912: Mary Antin, Boston Immigrant”
Miss Antin tells a classic tale of her family’s perilous journey to Boston, and how the American Dream came true after her best-seller, The Promised Land, was published.
“1895: The First Woman Doctor in the West: Bethenia Owens-Adair, MD”
Owens became an MD when lady doctors were thought improper. Her childhood on the Oregon Trail and frontier had taught her never to take no for an answer—good preparation for a pioneer woman doctor!
“1843: Mrs. Larcom, Lowell Mills Boardinghouse Keeper”
Mrs. Larcom tries to conceal her concerns about the dangers in the mills as the factory girls protest the accidents and endless pay cuts. A story as current as today’s headlines.
“1920: Juliette Low, Founder of America’s Girl Scouts”
Free-spirit Daisy Low lived life to the fullest before she found scouting—and her life’s true purpose. Helping girls to find their talents, she found her own. Fun and moving.
Notes:
Kate Carney, M.A.. storyteller, actor and teacher, taught at Smith, Brandeis, SUNY-Purchase, and other colleges for 25 years. She has directed on Broadway and has toured Europe and the Middle East with her one-woman shows. See: www.katecarney.net. Honorarium may be up to $250.
Especially interested in traveling to Minnesota, Wisconsin, New York, Washington, DC and the San Francisco area. Willing to travel internationally.
› Marylloyd Claytor ’74– NEW!!
Performing Artist MLA / Educator M.Ed.
Pittsburgh, PA
“Interdisciplinary Performances/Lecture Demonstrations of Dance, Music, and Theatre”
Original Modern Dance and Music Repertoire: Ms. Claytor discusses the origins of her pieces and their importance in her repertoire. The original scores and costuming evolutions through her career are presented. Ms. Claytor performs piano scores and discusses changes in use of music in her work. Reconstruction and restaging of classic costumes is a part of the modern dance classic* performance pieces.
Entombed (based on Lady Madeline from Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher)
This solo performance with original piano score includes a monologue introducing Lady Madeline and Roderick, before and after her entombment, and the characters’ opinions on the various schools of criticism of them. Lady Madeline and Roderick also offer their opinions on their friend Poe.
Martha Graham: Homegrown and World Famous* Ms. Graham is originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Meet the dance and fashion trendsetter through a fellow Pittsburgher.
Isadora: Modern Woman of Modern Dance* Isadora is where modern dance starts in America. Isadora frees herself from the shackles of ballet and provincialism to world greatness, exploring the edges of creativity, thought, and lifestyle. Ms. Claytor presents aspects of Isadora's life, excerpts from her choreography, and performance of piano scores she selected for her work.
Spectre is a kinesthetic dance with vocal sound-effect accompaniment
Medusa is a solo excerpt from a larger work, The Medusa Legend.
Hydra is a new solo about the mythological character. The piece includes original piano accompaniment. The solos are presented with a chat back discussing how work is adapted in various venues: live, television, and new media.
Ritual A slow-motion mesmerizing piece. This original piece is groundwork for Ms. Claytor's concepts of modern dance technique growing out of yoga, Horton, and Graham modern dance techniques.Mercury represents the first lyrical solo piece of choreography in Ms. Claytor’s repertoire.
› Deborah L. Davis ’79 – NEW!!
Author
www.deborahdavisauthor.com
Berkeley, CA
“The Surprisingly Rich World of Teen Novels”
Looking for good books to give your teenage children or grandchildren? Wondering whether there’s anything of value in those pink cover novels your granddaughter is reading? This author of three novels and one non-fiction book for teens surveys a wide range of literature for teenagers, defines literary versus commercial books as well as the vast gray area in between, and describes a number of superbly crafted novels available for this age group. You will learn what teens are reading and why, as well as how to interest even the most reluctant readers in a wide array of engaging and worthwhile books—including many with strong adult appeal.
“I’ve Always Wanted to Write a Children’s Book”
What does it really take to write a book for young people? Can anybody do it? This author recalls the distinct journeys she took to create each of her four books. With anecdotes about writing classes and critique groups, excerpts from publishers’ rejection letters, and an examination of the diagrams and charts that kept her sane and organized during months and years of revisions, Deborah Davis demonstrates how anyone can write for children and teens (but that it’s not for the faint of heart). This presentation includes plenty of time for aspiring writers to ask questions.
Notes: Learn more about Deborah Davis’s books and presentations at www.deborahdavisauthor.com. She is willing to travel to all areas in the U.S. and travels regularly each year to New York, Boston, and New Mexico. Willing to travel internationally, and may be in Brazil, Mexico and India.
Instructor of Journalism • Communications
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ
“Cuban Media and Society”
“Cartoons and Animation in Cuban Society”
This lecture discusses the importance of cartooning in Cuban society. In a society in which the mass media serves to advance the goals of the Revolutionary government, Cuban editorial cartoonists have managed to draw the true landscape of the Revolution. Information is derived from extensive interviews with Cuban editorial cartoonists in Cuba, the U.S., and abroad.
Notes: Unavailable September 2007, and May 2008.
› Amy E. Faivre ’92
Assistant Professor • Biological Sciences
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA
“Chocolate and Coffee: Stimulating Our World”
This is a presentation on the plants from which these two products are derived, information on the processing of these products, a historical background of how they came to be in cultivation and in our homes, and a brief discussion of how they affect our bodies.
“Pollination Biology in Costa Rica and Panama”
This is a presentation about some of the research Professor Faivre has conducted at rainforest field stations in Costa Rica and Panama and is accompanied by photos and natural history stories such as how figs are pollinated and who hitches a ride on a hummingbird.
Notes: Prefers to lecture in January 2008 and May-June 2008. Willing to travel internationally.
Jennifer Gieseking ’99
Environmental Psychology and Geography
Graduate Center at the City University of New York
New York, NY
“Gender, Power, and Space: An Architectural Tour through Our Uncommon Ground”
An historical, architectural tour of the Mount Holyoke College campus beginning with the Seminary Building in 1837 through the new Kendade Science Center. This genderist critique of the campus examines women’s power throughout time as exemplified in the campus’ buildings and design using architectural plans, photographs, and recent interviews with alumnae (1937-2002) and students (2006). This talk will focus on how women’s gender and power were constituted
and reconstituted over time ad explaining what this research says both to the history and present state of women in the U.S. and throughout the world.
“Human/Nature: Perception of the Environment”
How do people relate to and define their sense of space and place? This talk is an introduction to modern and contemporary
writings regarding perception of the environment. We will focus on the topics of place identity and place attachment, examining the social and cultural geographies in which these themes intersect. The talk will address case study examples of the spatialization of gender, race, and social class in the both New York City and the Pioneer Valley.
Notes: Is especially interested in traveling to California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, Hawaii, Florida, Boston, and Chicago. Willing to travel internationally.
› Deborah E. Harkness ’86
Associate Professor • History
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA
“Walking Through Shakespeare’s London”
Evoking the sights and sounds of a London that has vanished because of the Great Fire and the Blitz, this lecture focuses on the square mile of the old City, the theatrical district on the south bank of the Thames, and some of the city’s more colorful characters during the reign of Elizabeth.
“Living on Lime Street: Natural History in Elizabethan London”
Through letters, wills, and their printed writings we are able to see how an Elizabethan urban community functioned, how its members intermarried, and how they became known far and wide for their botanical expertise in growing rare plants.
“Power and Chastity: Queen Elizabeth’s Heritage”
This presentation uses slides or PowerPoint portraits of Elizabeth I to explain how she used specific imagery to bolster her power. This lecture can also include clips from the movie Elizabeth (requires video or DVD player and TV) to show how the modern filmmaker tried to use evidence from the portraits for the film. This presentation works best if the audience is willing to participate by “reading” the images and sharing insights.
› Leslie S. Jones ’77
Assistant Professor • Biology
Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA
“Untangling Biological Reality from the Social Construction of Race”
Race is unquestionably a ‘loaded’ term. The concept is rich with socio-cultural power and laden with scientific ambiguity. Widespread presumptions (that, for example, people of differing ancestry are inherently different) stubbornly persist because race has always been obscured in biological education. Since most people without a scientific background are not aware of the fundamental basis of human similarities and differences, they may be unable to recognize how scientific information has been misused as part of racial propaganda. Attention to the social construction of race almost never includes the scientific information that would expose the unjustified use of biology in the construction of racial hierarchies. Few current life science textbooks even mention race, because the ambiguity of the word renders it virtually useless. While this invisibility is one indication of how little scientific validity the term has, it also does nothing to undermine the frequent misuse of science to legitimate the concept of racial difference. Modern science has clearly demonstrated how little actual genetic difference exists between major ethnic groups and this talk will show what we know about human DNA to prove this.
“Minimizing Controversy in Teaching Evolution to Creationist Students”
When noted philosopher of science, Jacob Bronowski, declared in his brilliant 1973 epic, The Ascent of Man, that “the theory of evolution in no longer a battleground,” he could not have been more mistaken. Thirty years later, there is little indication that the evolution/creation controversy is abating, much less coming anywhere close to being resolved. Challenges to the teaching of evolution continue to erupt all over the United States and have begun to appear in other countries such as Australia and England. The battle over the legitimacy of religious and scientific explanation of the history of life remains as contentious as ever. Since it is no longer safe to presume that aversion to evolution is a historical artifact, peculiar to conservative Protestant religions, or even limited to certain geographical regions of the U.S., science education seems to face what is becoming an even more serious challenge than might have been realized.
Notes: Unavailable July—August 2008 and May—June 2009. Willing to travel internationally, especially in May and August
› Jill Kelly, Ph.D. ’69 -- NEW!!
Psychologist • Author • Workshop leader
Shutesbury, MA
“Creating Peace on Earth: Healing the Collective Unconscious One Person at a Time”As a therapist and energy worker, Jill Kelly believes that each person creates his or her outer ‘reality’ based on unconscious fears carried within. Many of these inner fears stem from humanity’s descent from a heavenly plane. And when these fears are healed, the outer ‘reality’ can and does change for the better, sometimes in radical ways. In order to facilitate personal transformation with gentleness and grace, Kelly teaches a simple energy method to heal inner fear. This workshop explains the basic anatomy of the human bioenergy field, self-healing techniques, and the stages of growth and suffering in a full transformation process. The healing method involves transmuting personal fear through guided imagery in the centerpoint of the heart, which holds the highest vibration in the bioenergy field and can restructure all fear into love. When made a daily practice, this method of energy healing leads the individual into a gradual transformation process during which the six light sheaths of the bioenergy field dissolve into union with the One, the mystical Heart of God/Goddess. Over time the individual gradually and steadily moves through obstacles into their highest personal destiny and true love partnership. The workshop focus can be tailored to specific social or disease issues.
“Birthing the Divine Child Within: The Light Impulses That Correspond to the Stages Of Child Developmental and the Human Lifespan”This workshop explains the spiritual or light impulses that structure the stages of both child development and adulthood. Every level builds on the one before and each life is a re-enactment of each individual’s full descent from and ascension back into union with the One, the mystical heart of God/Goddess. Fears of the descent are replayed and restructured into the growing individual up to the age of 21, and then new fears are brought into play to begin the ascension process once more. These stages correspond to the six sheaths of light within and the six levels of a full transformation process. This workshop includes: the light stages of life development, the basic anatomy of the human bioenergy field, the stages of suffering and growth in a full ascension process, and an understanding of the inner divine child and her powers to create one’s highest destiny and true love partnership. This is an informational workshop and does not teach self-healing.
› Eve R. Levin ’75
Associate Professor • History
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS
“Russia Past and Future”
A survey of the political and cultural traditions of Russia, with estimation for future directions.
“The Spiritual Traditions of Russian Orthodoxy”
An explication from an academic (rather than sectarian) standpoint of Russian Orthodox Christianity, with an emphasis on “lived religion”-beliefs and practices, especially for women. (multi-media)
Keally D. McBride ’91
Associate Professor • Politics
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
“Globalization at Home: How Global Changes Are Affecting Families”
How do large transnational trends change the way we organize our daily lives?
“After Colonialism: How Decolonization Created the World We Live in Today”
Notes: Please contact alumna for more information about these lecture topics. Willing to travel internationally.
› Cathryn M. Mercier ’81
Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Simmons College
Melrose, MA
“Angels and Wild Things”
A multimedia look at the social construction of childhood through the Caldecott Award, 1942-present.
“Literary Criticism and Children’s Literature: Good Companions”
Participants are asked to read a children’s book or two (often something classic, like a Betsy-Tacy Book or a modern classic like Charlotte’s Web or Harry Potter). Professor Mercier then leads a discussion of the text from five or six critical/theoretical perspectives.
“Recommended Titles of the [New] Year”
This multimedia presentation is usually given in October or November. Professor Mercier focuses on new books from the past year, tailoring her presentation to fit the interests and needs of the audience.
Notes: Unavailable August 2008. Not available to travel internationally.
› Jill G. Morawski ’73
Professor • Psychology and Women’s Studies
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
“America on the Couch: How We Became Psychological Beings”
America on the Couch traces the rapid growth of psychological thought in every dimension of our culture over the last century and suggests that thinking about humans as psychological beings changes us in certain ways.
“Men Crazy: The New Psychology of Masculinity”
Men Crazy reviews the recent theories of masculinity that suggest how men, too, are damaged by sexist culture. The lecture raises questions about this new state of masculine crisis.
“Sperm as a Cultural Icon of the Twentieth Century”
Sperm as a Cultural Icon addresses the many ways that sperm have entered everyday life over the last 75 years, from the introduction of artificial insemination to HIV and sperm representation in contemporary art, along with the new theories of “sperm competition” and human sperm decline. Tracing this icon illuminates the dynamics of gender and reproduction in the twentieth century.
“Making (and Remaking) Sex Differences”
Making (and Remaking) Sex Differences reviews current psychological theories of sex and gender differences, highlighting the recent battles between biological determinists who claim psychological sex differences to be fixed and “nurture” or environmental theorists who claim these differences to be culturally produced.
› Janice R. Naegele ’78
Professor • Biology and Neuroscience
Wesleyan University
Middletown, CT
“Stem Cell Transplants for Treating Temporal Lobe Epilepsy”
Mouse and human embryonic stem cell derived neurons have the potential to replace lost cell types in human neurological disorders. Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy is one of the more difficult types of seizure disorder to treat pharmacologically, and is therefore often treated by surgically removing brain tissue. Because this may lead to lasting cognitive damage, alternative treatments are needed. Professor Naegele and her colleagues are examining the feasibility of ES-derived neural progenitor transplants to survive and migrate in the adult hippocampus after seizures in two mouse models of temporal lobe epilepsy. Additional studies are testing novel neuroprotective approaches that may be combined with stem cell therapies.
Notes: Willing to travel internationally.
› Ann Wood Norton ’61
Art and Art History
Providence College
Providence, RI
“Contemporary Afghanistan: A Culture in Renewal”
Professor Norton will speak on her travels with a delegation in March of 2007 to Afghanistan, where she learned about current women's issues, the rebuilding of education, handicrafts, and the culture itself. (PowerPoint presentation, if possible.)
“Cambodia’s Post-War Healing Through the Arts”
The Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s systematically killed over 90 percent of Cambodia’s artists. Today, Cambodian arts are making a comeback, and are actually playing a major role in the healing of an entire culture. (PowerPoint presentation, if possible.)
“Understanding the Cambodian Diaspora”
Thousands of Cambodians emigrated to America after the Cambodian genocide of the 1970s. Arts created by the Cambodian Diaspora speak strongly of a need for identity and understanding. (PowerPoint presentation, if possible.)
“The Relevance of Tibetan Culture Today”
Tibet’s present Dalai Lama, living in exile since 1959, has done much to bring the sacred arts of his cultural tradition to the world. The colorful arts of Tibet can offer messages of peace and direction during these troubled times. (PowerPoint presentation, if possible.)
› Margaret K. Offerman ’76
Deputy National Vice President for Research
American Cancer Society
Atlanta, GA
“Understanding Cancer”
This lecture will cover our progress in understanding cancer, and will include a discussion of the causes of various types of cancer and promising treatments. The audience will also learn how our understanding of molecular events in the development of cancer leads to opportunities for new and improved diagnostics and treatments. The challenges that remain will also be discussed.
Notes: Unavailable September–October 2008.
› Elizabeth A. Osder ’86
Principal
The Osder Group
Los Angeles, CA
“Fundamentals of Web 2.0”
Fundamentals of Internet publishing and Web 2.0 concepts, including building and managing online communities, self publishing, marketing and advertising.
“Internet Primer”
Where we’ve been and where we are, the fundamentals of Internet media and a look at how society is transforming.
Notes: Open to any location, pending budget and availability. Willing to travel internationally.
› Margaret Kim Ault Peterson ’82
Assistant Professor • Theology
Eastern University
King of Prussia, PA
“Keeping House”
Cooking, cleaning, laundry...are these simply chores to be endured? Hobbies for the domestically inclined? Or something else: the work by which we feed and clothe and shelter one another, by which we are enabled to live peaceably in the body and in community, a kind of litany of everyday life?
“Icons and Iconography in the Eastern Orthodox Church”
Discussion accompanied by a PowerPoint presentation with images of icons.
“Sing Me to Heaven: The Story of a Marriage”
Discussion of Peterson’s 2003 book (supported by a Mount Holyoke Alumnae Fellowship), a memoir of her marriage to her first husband, a Korean-American who died of AIDS in 1995 at the peak of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S.
› Jane Goodman Pollak ’70
Author
www.janepollack.com
Norwalk, CT
“Ukranian Easter Eggs-The Art”
“Turning Your Passion Into A Business: Entrepreneurship”
› Kristen A. Renn ’86
Associate Professor • Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education
Michigan State University
Lansing, MI
“Status of Women in Higher Education”
A review of the most current information related to women as students, faculty, and administrative leaders in American higher education, as well as a look to the future, its challenges, and its opportunities for women’s education.
“LGBT Issues in Higher Education”
An overview of current issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students and faculty in American higher education. Policy, programs, services, and controversies are discussed.
“Mary E. Woolley and Jeannette Marks: A Powerful Partnership”
A discussion, based on extensive archival research, of how the private and public spheres of Woolley’s and Marks’ lives at Mount Holyoke influenced each other, as well as overview of their lives after Mount Holyoke until Woolley’s death.
“College Student Learning and Development in the 21st Century”
Highlights from research into how college students learn and develop in the age of the Internet, with an emphasis on women’s education and the role of women’s colleges in a changed society.
Notes: Willing to travel internationally .
› Julie R. Rubin ’95
Adjunct Professor • Intellectual Property
University of Maryland School of Law
Baltimore, MD
“Rights of Publicity and The First Amendment: Celebrity Versus Media”
This lecture discusses the tension between 1) a celebrity’s right to protect and commercially exploit her own persona and image; and 2) the right to free speech in commerce and media. A PowerPoint presentation highlights certain advertisements making controversial use of celebrity likenesses and images.
“Women and Jewish Marital Laws: The Two Worlds of Israeli and American Women”
A brief history of Jewish marital and divorce law and its impact on Orthodox women as well as women of other sects of Judaism in the U.S. and Israel. Includes a handout of definitions of Hebrew words pertinent to the lecture.
“How to be an Effective Summer or Junior Associate”
This lecture will provide pointers on how to be an effective summer associate or junior associate in private practice law firms. A good how-to lecture for law students and new lawyers. A PowerPoint presentation may be used to show examples of good and poor work.
“Public Relations Litigation Consultants and Protection of the Attorney-Client Privilege”
This lecture discusses the potential disastrous effects PR litigation consultants (think high-profile litigation of the Enron type) can have upon the sanctity of the attorney-client privilege. Will discuss how to make use of PR consultants without destroying the privilege (and your client!).
“Hiring & Firing Without Liability”
Learn how to avoid liability pitfalls in hiring and firing. Critical rules of the road that every business owner and HR professional ought to know. The seminar answers these questions:
1) How do I terminate an employee: with an ADA accommodation? On FMLA leave? With another protected status like pregnancy/gender/religion/race? Currently receiving Worker’s Compensation benefits?
2) How do I handle wage and hour issues, including overtime and final paychecks?
3) What steps should my hiring process include?
4) What steps should be taken to prepare for an employee termination?
5) What benefits are payable at termination?
6) Who should be present at termination and who should know about it beforehand?
7) Should I provide references post-termination?
8) What records do I have to keep?
9) Non-competes/non-solicitations: Should I require them? Are they enforceable? Can I require them mid-employment?
10) What information needs to be included in the employee manual and why?
› Terry J. Seligmann ’70
Professor • Law
Drexel University, College of Law
Philadelphia, PA“Special Education Law”
Lecture on the rights of children with disabilities and the responsibilities of school districts under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Lecture can vary in focus for audience needs, including autism programs, discipline, resolving disputes, etc.
Notes: In East Falmouth, MA June–July. Unavailable August 2008. Willing to travel internationally .
› Renée M. Sentilles ’88
Assistant Professor • History and American Studies
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
“Tomboys and Other American Girls”
“History and Hype: the Rewriting of Adah Isaacs Menken”
Lecture based on Sentilles’ recent book, Performing Menken: Adah Isaacs Menken and the Birth of American Celebrity, which is about Civil War popular culture. Also willing to lecture on various aspects of American women’s history and the American West, or the history of girlhood.
Notes: Prefers to lecture during the summer months, but available at other times as well.
› Marian E. Strobel ’71
William Montgomery Burnett Professor of History and Department Chair • History
Furman University
Greenville, SC
“Women and Leadership: An Historian’s View”
An overview of historical leadership roles of women from the colonial period to the present-many fascinating issues are raised through case studies.
“First Ladies”
A survey of the importance of First Ladies-emphasized is a comparison between Eleanor Roosevelt and Hillary Clinton.
“The Grimke Sisters of South Carolina”
Hear about Angelina and Sarah Grimke, two of the plantation elite in South Carolina who became abolitionists and activists in women’s rights.
“Back Home for Keeps: American Women after WWII”
A survey of the lives of American women after World War II with an emphasis on education and work experiences. Contains statistics on MHC.
Notes: Willing to travel within 100 miles of Greenville.
› Tinky Weisblat ’76
Author
Washington, D.C.
“Food & Memory: A Recipe Workshop”
This cookbook author talks about the joys of food writing, which she links to memory and history; reads from her own work; and offers tips on writing recipes for family, friends, and the public. At the end of the workshop, she will be happy to sell copies of her Pudding Hollow Cookbook (which includes a recipe for Deacon Porter’s Hat) and donate a portion of the proceeds to the club or the College.
Notes: Weisblat can also discuss her life and career in writing, publishing, and singing--and can happily entertain alumnae clubs with cooking demonstrations and songs. For more information about the auhor and her book, visit www.merrylion.com.
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