Speaker to address role, importance of feminism
A founder of modern feminism will address young feminists' roles in women's rights today during a presentation at 7 p.m. in the Bovee University Center Auditorium.
Author and psychotherapist Phyllis Chesler will present "Letters to a Young Feminist" as part of CMU's Provost Series on Diversity and Multiculturalism. Chesler is a psychology and women's studies professor at Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass.
Ulana Klymyshyn, director of the Multicultural Education Center, said the talk will specifically address young feminists in the university community.
"Her message is particularly aimed at women in college as they prepare themselves for their careers," she said.
The speech will be centered around Chesler's 1998 book "Letters to a Young Feminist", and will address women's roles in the continuing fight for women's rights, Klymyshyn said.
"The main point of the book is to talk to young women today ... about feminism and the continuing importance of feminism in our lives," she said.
Women in the university community need to be especially aware of their roles as women, she said.
"It's particularly important for women of that age group to be aware of pitfalls with goals we might want to set for ourselves," Klymyshyn said.
Chesler is the author of nine books, including "Women and Madness", "With Child: A Diary of Motherhood" and "Women, Money and Power", according to a press release.
Chesler is also the founder of the Association for Women in Psychology and the National Women's Health Network, and has served as an expert courtroom witness.
These considerable services to society and the feminist community make Chelser an important voice to be heard, Klymyshyn said.
"It's important to hear from pioneerist women who have made significant contributions. The opportunity to learn from someone who has made significant contributions is important to everyone," Klymyshyn said.
"I think that she provides a role model," she said.
Following her presentation, Chesler will be available for a book signing.
