A Quarterly Newsletter

“Environmental Issues and
The 7th Generation”

On Thursday, March 29, 2007, the ETSU Women’s Studies Program and Women’s Resource Center are sponsoring “Environmental Issues and The 7th Generation,” a public lecture by Carmaleta Littlejohn Monteith, Ph.D.

An educational consultant with the Cherokee Central School Board, Monteith’s lecture draws on her distinguished career as an educator and as a Native American scholar and lecturer. Monteith’s lecture will focus on environmental concerns from the perspective of a Cherokee mother and grandmother. In addition, the presentation will share the tribal initiatives addressing those concerns.

The Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation is actively involved in promoting and revitalizing the quality of life for its people through addressing the practices that are detrimental to the health of the environment. Tribal departments have been created to address environmental issues through planning, waste management, reforestation, land management, monitoring water and air quality, alternative energy sources and the creation of a foundation that funds regional initiatives that improve the environment.

Monteith received her Ph.D. in American studies and an M.Ed. in science education from Emory University. As for her forty-plus years in education, Monteith began her teaching career at The Lovett School in Atlanta, Ga., in 1960. The early Lovett years were spent as a biology instructor, but by the time she accepted a dean of studies position with The Marist School in 1985, Monteith had attained the position of dean of math and science at The Lovett School.

Even though formally retired from teaching, Monteith is tackling the responsibilities of school design coordinator for the Cherokee Central School Board. Monteith also remains active with national and local volunteer endeavors. Monteith currently serves as executive director of the North American Indian Women’s Association. Local volunteer service for Monteith includes serving as vice chair of the advisory board for the Oconaluftee Institute for Cultural Arts, as internal audit chair for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), and as secretary for the Fontana Lake Waste Recovery, Inc., board of directors, just to mention a few of Monteith’s additional commitments.

The keynote lecture for Women’s History Month 2007, location for “Environmental Issues and The 7th Generation” is the Carroll Reece Museum, Main Gallery, 5:00 p.m. A reception will follow Monteith’s lecture. For additional information, please contact the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847 or the Women’s Studies Program at 423-439-7571.

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Tayari Jones
Returns to
ETSU Campus

Author Tayari Jones will be the guest speaker at a Book Reading and Signing for her novel The Untelling. Sponsored by the Office of Equity and Diversity and the Women’s Resource Center, Jones’ Book Reading and Signing is scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2007. Location is the Reece Museum, Main Gallery, 5:00 p.m.

An Atlanta native, Jones spent her high school freshman year studying in Nigeria. After graduating high school Jones went on to Spelman College receiving a bachelor’s degree in English in 1991. Jones earned a master’s degree in English from the University of Iowa in 1994. A chance meeting with writer Jewel Parker Rhodes, director of the creative writing program at Arizona State University, led Jones to pursue an M.F.A. degree in fiction from ASU.

Jones’ first novel, Leaving Atlanta garnered many honors, which included the Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation Award in 2000. Her second novel, The Untelling, published in 2005, is the story of a family struggling to overcome the aftermath of a fatal car accident. When asked why she chose to focus on a particular family in this work after the sprawling historical subject matter of Leaving Atlanta, Jones explains, "The Untelling is a novel about personal history and individual and familial myth-making. These personal stories are what come together to determine the story of a community, the unofficial history of a neighborhood, of a city, of a nation." Upon the publication of The Untelling, Essence magazine called Jones, "a writer to watch." The Atlanta Journal Constitution proclaims Jones to be "one of the best writers of her generation." In 2005, The Southern Regional Council and the University of Georgia Libraries awarded The Untelling with the Lillian C. Smith Award for New Voices.

A reception will follow the Jones’ Book Reading and Signing. For additional information regarding this Women’s History Month 2007 program, contact the Women’s Resource Center at 423-439-7847.

 

“Generations of Women Moving History Forward”

The theme for the March 2007 Women’s History Month is “Generations of Women Moving History Forward.” This year’s theme celebrates the wisdom and tenacity of prior and future generations of women and recognizes the power of generations working together.

The purpose of women's history is not to idealize women. On the contrary, the stories of women's achievements present an expanded view of the complexity and contradiction of living a full and purposeful life.

Learning about the extraordinary achievements of women helps recognize women’s vast accomplishments and diminish the tendency to dismiss and trivialize who women are and what they accomplish. In celebrating women's historic achievements, we present an authentic view of history. This perspective can encourage girls and women to think larger and bolder and can give boys and men a fuller understanding of the female experience.

The year 2007 presents special opportunities to highlight some critically important events in women’s history, including the 50th anniversary of the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the 30th anniversary of the National Women’s Conference in Houston, Texas. Recognition of these historic anniversaries presents special opportunities to acknowledge and celebrate the courage, determination, and steadfastness of the women who spearheaded these events and in so doing moved history forward.

TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
5K Race/Walk

The fourth annual TAKE BACK THE NIGHT 5K Race/Walk is scheduled for Saturday, March 31, 2007. All proceeds from the 5K Race/Walk are donated to the S.A.N.E. Program (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) located at Johnson City Medical Center. Last year the 5K Race/Walk attracted over 150 runners and raised over $3,200 for the S.A.N.E. program.

Consider becoming a part of this year’s TAKE BACK THE NIGHT 5K Race/Walk and aid us raising awareness against sexual and domestic violence in our community. Campus and community folks are encouraged to organize a team of runners/walkers to work together for this cause (prizes will be given to the teams with the most members and/or donations).

For registration information, contact Kim Bushore-Maki or Heather Deyton, ETSU Counseling Center, at 423-439-4841 or visit the www.runtricities.org web site where the registration form is available for download. A registration fee is required for this event.

LOCATION: Old College of Medicine Building, Pedestrian Mall
REGISTRATION: 7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
RACE START TIME: 8:30 a.m.

Candlelight Vigil –
Honoring Survivors of Sexual Violence

The first annual Candlelight Vigil – Honoring Survivors of Sexual Violence is scheduled for Thursday, March 29, at 6:30 p.m. Location is the Fred Borchuck Plaza, Charles C. Sherrod Library. Rain location is the Reece Museum.

Please join us for an evening honoring the resiliency of survivors. A brief program of music and thoughtful reflection will be followed by a reception.

For more information, contact Kim Bushore-Maki or Heather Deyton, ETSU Counseling Center, at 423-439-4841 or e-mail caasv@etsu.edu.

Women’s Health Series

Ronald Hamdy, M.D., chairholder of the Cecile Cox Quillen Chair of Excellence in Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, is the guest speaker for, “Osteoporosis Update: The Doctor Is In.” This Women’s Health Series Lunch Break Seminar is scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 2007, at noon.

Often called the “silent thief,” osteoporosis steals bone material as you age. Hamdy will discuss bone health and current treatments, followed up by an extensive question and answer segment. Location for the Hamdy Women’s Health Seminar is Meeting Room 2, D.P. Culp University Center.

 

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