A Celebration of Women 2007
Women's Conference 

To celebrate Women’s History Month, Seton Hall University is proud to sponsor, “A Celebration of Women 2008: Raising Our Voices.” Join the University community as we come together to learn, to implement change and to honor the achievements of women.

Judith C. Stark, Ph.D.Featured Speaker: Judith C. Stark, Ph.D.
Judith C. Stark, Ph.D., is a professor of philosophy and associate director of the University Honors Program. Her research focuses on St. Augustine, feminist theories, human rights and environmental issues. Over the years, Stark’s many published works have made important scholarly contributions to the field. Along with colleagues from several departments, she has worked tirelessly to create one of the premier honors programs in the United States. She has also helped to create Seton Hall’s Elizabeth Ann Seton Center for Women’s Studies, the new University core curriculum, and the new environmental studies major in the College of Arts & Sciences.

Stark has served four terms on the Faculty Senate, including a term as vice chair. With other female colleagues, she was a founding member of the Women’s Faculty Association. Stark has received many awards and grants, including an appointment as a New Jersey Governor’s Fellow in the Humanities and being named Seton Hall University’s 1998 Woman of the Year.


Conference Schedule
10:30 a.m. Registration: Main Lounge, University Center
Download the conference registration form.
11:00 a.m.
Brunch
11:30 a.m. Welcome:Tracy Gottlieb, Ph.D., Dean, Freshmen Studies and Special Academic Programs
Greeting:Shana Reyes and Danielle Paleafico, Public Relations Student Society of America

Performance by: The University Gospel Choir

Keynote Address: Judith C. Stark, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy and Associate Director of the University Honors Program
1:30  -
2:30 p.m.
Workshop Session I
A. Jersey Girls: A Chorus of Poetic Voices

Presenters: Diane Lockward, M.A., N.J. Writers Project; Jessica deKoninck, J.D., Director of Legislative Services, New Jersey Department of Education; Adele Kenny, M.A., Poetry Editor, Tiferet; Evie Shockley, M.A., Ph.D., J.D., Assistant Professor of English, Rutgers University

Enjoy a round-robin poetry reading focusing on issues relevant to women’s lives. Each poet will read one poem in response to each theme to highlight the multiplicity of women’s voices and to put the poems into conversation and contention with each other.
B. Creating Systems of Good Care: Elizabeth Seton, Jane Addams and Mary Richmond

Presenters: Emma Quartaro, D.S.W., L.C.S.W., Director, Certificate in Gerontology Program; Christine Aquino, Diana Drakert, Tawayna Green, Elizabeth Pantaleo, Student Presenters

Elizabeth Seton, Jane Addams, and Mary Richmond are remembered for their political and spiritual insights and for “raising their voices” in the areas of social justice and reform. Learn more about each of these dynamic leaders who have left a legacy of organized services and “armies” of women who have advocated for themselves and others.
C. A Different Kind of Love? : Healthy Relationships vs. Unhealthy Relationships

Presenter: Dana Harris, Student, College of Arts & Sciences

Understand the signs of healthy versus unhealthy relationships. The presenter will provide an eye-opening list of ways to decrease domestic violence and to help a friend or loved one in an unhealthy relationship. The program will also include video clips and songs.
D. Christian Prayer as an Empowerment Tool for African American Women

Presenter: Rev. Valerie Persaud, D.Min., J.D., M.S.W., L.S.W., C.SC, C.HT

Learn how to utilize prayer as an empowerment tool and the importance of establishing a prayer routine. Examine various ways to pray, how to listen to and experience God, how to enhance and deepen prayer life, and the importance of prayer and fasting.
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. Workshop Session II
A. Women Building Peace and the Evolution of Middle Eastern Women

Presenters: Members of the Association of Middle Eastern Culture; Ashley Hatchel, Alumna, School of Diplomacy and International Relations

The discussion will center on the evolution of women’s rights in the Middle East and the unique role that women play in bridging the gaps between divided communities in countries that have been or are currently experiencing conflict.
B. Screaming for our Sex: Changing Images of Women in Sport and Sport Marketing

Presenters: Ann M. Mayo, Ph.D., Director, Center for Sport Management; Alexandra Ayer, Student, Stillman School of Business

In an effort to combat sexual stereotypes, some of today’s female athletes have run screaming to the pages of Playboy and have allowed media and marketing moguls to exploit their sexuality. Learn how to address the issues that arise from this exploitation and these misguided sexual stereotypes.
C. Women Empowerment: Women Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders

Presenters: Ida V. Tyson, Associate Director, Educational Opportunity Program, Rider University and Victoria Tyson

In this hands-on workshop, explore what we as women can do to improve our interpersonal relationships with one another in order to foster a more cohesive sisterhood. The presentation will address images in the media, etiquette, and how our everyday actions move us toward fulfilling our lifelong goals and destiny.
D. SCREAM Theater (Students Challenging Realities and Educating Against Myths)

Presenters: Students, Department of Sexual Assault Services and Crime Victim Assistance, Rutgers University

Do you want to create a violence-free community? If so, don’t miss this theatrical production and discussion that will educate participants on issues of sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual harassment, violence in the media, racism, and the intersection of violence against women and other “isms.”
3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Workshop Session III
A. Speaking Up While Juggling Forks and Chopsticks

Presenter: Cathy Bao Bean, M.A., Author, Feminist and Business Manager

Author of The Chopsticks-Fork Principle, A Memoir and Manual, Bean will share her personal journey on becoming a “Chinese-American high on figuring out the cultural shapes we’re in.”
B. Five Women Who Ignited Catalytic Socio-Political Change in the United States through Their Respective Musical Voices.

Presenter: Gloria J. Thurmond, D. Min., M.A., Faculty Associate, Department of Art and Music and Director, Jazz ‘n the Hall Series

Using archival documentary film footage and recordings, this presentation will provide a profile of five American women, who through their respective musical voices and in collaboration with other voices in powerful positions of leadership, ignited catalytic socio-political change in the United States.
C. “I Am Not My Hair, I Am Not My Skin"

Presenter: Monique Hill, Alumna, College of Arts & Sciences and Resident Director, Hofstra University

Focusing on the 1954 Clark Doll study and the 2006 Kiri Davis study, which showed how young African-American children define beauty, this presentation will discuss the idea of beauty and how it is portrayed and defined in our society. Testimonials of cancer patients, who have dealt directly with issues of beauty and how they have raised their voices to overcome, will also be shared.
D. Influential Minority Women

Presenters: Loydes Vazquez, Josephine Bhola, Juan Powe, Natalie Hernandez, Shante Slaughter, Miguel Mercado, Arveny Rodriguez

Be inspired by the women who are breaking barriers and making it possible for future generations to hold higher positions. In particular, learn more about minority women in the business and political arenas and several of the obstacles these women have faced and its impact on the female gender.

Footnotes:

A special thank you to Shana Reyes, president of the Public Relations Student Society of America, for designing the Women's Conference poster and postcard.

Interested in Registering a Group of Students/Entire Class?
If you are a Seton Hall faculty member interested in registering your students/class for the 2008 Women’s Conference, please contact Kathleen Keegan, University nurse, Student Affairs and Enrollment Services, (973) 761-9175 or keeganka@shu.edu.

dress for success logoDress for Success – Clothing Donation and Service Project
On the day of the conference, please bring “gently used” professional clothing for donation to Dress for Success, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of women. For more information on Dress for Success and their mission, visit www.dressforsuccess.org. Tina Green, a Dress for Success representative, will be attending the brunch and following the conference sessions, she will present a Dress for Success "success story" at 4:30 p.m. in the Main Longue, University Center.

Disability Statement
Should you require special accommodations to participate in the event due to a disability, please contact the Disability Support Services Office (973-313-6003) at least two weeks prior to the event.

Conference Information

A Celebration of Women 2008
Bishop Dougherty University Center
Wednesday, March 12, 2008, 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Conference Registration Form (PDF) »
Payment Options (PDF) »

 
 
 
Planning Committee

Bernadette Manno
Carolyn Cavanaugh
Dong Dong Chen
Maggie Dewane
Renee Shalhoub
Tiffany McDermott
Tracy Gottlieb
Erin Whitham
Alan Delozier
Dorothy Krajewski
Lauren Johnson
Tiffany McDermott
Kathleen Keegan
Ashley Sax
Christopher Irving
Eva Gale
Laura Helbing
Pamela Dungee
Danielle Paleafico
Jill Matthews
Jillian Geiger
Laura Lehane
Shana Reyes
Therese Chidiac
Rosario Reyes

 
Dress for Success

Dress for SuccessOn the day of the conference, please bring “gently used” professional clothing for donation to Dress for Success, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of women.

 
Women's Resource Center