Student research, poetry, food and the opportunity to support the Women and Gender Studies program at University of Wisconsin-Stout. That is the goal of the annual Yes! I’m a Feminist fundraiser from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at the Raw Deal, 603 S. Broadway St.
March is Women’s History Month. International Women’s Day is Sunday, March 8.
Money raised at Yes! I’m a Feminist will be used for scholarships to help students doing and presenting research in the field as well as for speakers and related events. The event is free and open to the public.
“If you want to support student researchers completing work in Women and Gender Studies, if you are curious about WGS at Stout, and/or if you want to be in a positive and welcoming space to celebrate diversity and inclusivity, you should come to this event,” said Rickie-Ann Legleitner, program adviser and an assistant professor in the English and philosophy department. “There will be refreshments and an opportunity to meet people who are interested in and passionate about feminism and women and gender studies.”
From 6 to 7 p.m. student research will be on display. From 7 to 7:30 everyone is invited to read original or another poet’s work as part of a poetry slam. All performers must identify the work they are performing for the family-friendly event. A poetry slam winner will be announced. Participants in the slam can register at the event.
Program supporters can donate at the event or through a Stout University Foundation event webpage.
Student research
The Women and Gender Studies program was founded by former professor Sheri Nero. Student work on display will be by 2020 Sheri Nero Award winners:
- Hazel Peterson, of Ladysmith, a sophomore majoring in studio art, “Frances Frankenstein”
- Delaney Shin, of Rochester, Minn., a senior majoring in studio art with a concentration in drawing, “Dancing With Alluring Attractions”
Receiving honorable mentions were Cambree Ney, of Waterford, junior majoring in interior design, “Heroic Health;” and Casey Curran, of Arkdale, junior majoring in business administration, “Conversion Therapy.’
Peterson will present her work in April at the 4W Summit on Women, Gender and Well-Being in Madison. Legleitner also will be presenting her book that is being published by Lexington Books in the fall entitled “The Artist Embodied: Female Creativity and Development in American Literature from 1850-1940.”
UW-Stout offers a minor and a certificate in Women and Gender Studies. The curriculum guides students to explore women’s experiences and their contributions to society throughout history.
The mission of the program is to improve the campus climate for women and for LGBTQ members of the UW-Stout community and their allies.
The Women and Gender Studies program at UW-Stout is part of the UW System Women’s Studies Consortium.
In the fall the minor will be shifting to Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies to better reflect trends in the field and the inclusivity of the program, Legleitner said.
“We will be offering a new course as a part of this shift: WGS 205 Introduction to Queer Studies,” she said. “The course is a multidisciplinary introduction to LGBTQ+ studies, including theories of identity formation, LGBTQ+ cultures in history and globally and contemporary legal and political topics. In this course we will explore the intersections between LGBTQ identities and other marginalized identities, including, but not limited to, those based on race, ethnicity, religion and disability.”
UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.
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Photos
Feminist fundraiser logo
Rickie-Ann Legleitner
