Enjoy summer!
We are wrapping up another great year at the WGSS Program! Tonight’s award ceremony will conclude our events for the academic year. Wow, what a busy year!!! We wish the best of luck to our graduates and we look forward to seeing our returning students in the Fall!
WGS Senior Capstone Presentations
Senior WGS majors Thomas Grund, Marnie Whalen, Eeica D’Aurora, Anna Wolk and Sarah Joseph presenting their final project on “Majority/Minority: The status of women and sexual minorities on campus.” (And then celebrating after with program director Dr. David Gudelunas). Congratulations seniors!
WGSS Capstone May 2 at 5PM BCC 200
Join us as we celebrate our graduating seniors!
On Thursday, May 2nd at 5PM in BCC 200, WGSS Capstone students will be presenting their capstone research on “Majority/Minority: The status of Women and Sexuality Minorities on Campus.”
We hope to see you there!
Interesting Read: “The On-the-Ground Reality of Women Leaders”
After celebrating Women’s History Month in March, it is wise to recognize that women are still on unequal footing in the workplace. Women have only been allowed in the two-year MBA Program at Harvard Business School for 50 years.
A recent conference at Harvard Business School addressed the on-the-ground reality of women leaders 50 years after the first women were admitted to the School’s two-year MBA Program. And the reality is that women leaders are stuck—for example, women make up less than 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs. Check out Forbes for the full article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/hbsworkingknowledge/2013/04/17/the-on-the-ground-reality-of-women-leaders/ .
Standing Room Only at “In the Works” WGSS Panel
It was standing room only as Dr. Alphonso, Dr. Arendt, Dr. Lawrence and Dr. Orlando talked about their current academic projects at last week’s “In the Works” Panel discussion, part of Women’s History Month here at Fairfield University. Attendees listened to the professors, from a range of disciplines, discuss topics ranging from Edith Wharton to roller derby. 
Question of Habit Documentary Screening Tonight!
Monday, April 08 7:30PM
Library Multimedia Room
Join Dr. Bren Ortega Murphy as she screens her award-winning documentary “A Question of Habit.” The film, narrated by Susan Sarandon, examines the depiction of Catholic nuns in contemporary U.S. popular culture. It contrasts these images with the lives of actual women religious, both historical and current. A brief question and answer session will follow the screening. Sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences and the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program. Refreshments provided.
For more information on the film, check out http://www.questionofhabit.com/index.html 
In the Works: WGS Faculty Talk about Current Projects – April 4, 6:00PM
Join WGSS for a faculty panel discussion about current research projects:
Professor Alphonso – “Family, Politics and the State”
Professor Arendt – “A Rink of One’s Own: Gender, Sport and the Alter Ego in Contemporary Roller Derby”
Professor Lawrence: “Jarena Lee’s Calling: Biography and Storytelling”
Professor Orlando: “Edith Wharton, Women and the Politics of Representation”
All are welcome! Refreshments will be served. BCC 206
Women’s Day, April 4 2013 at Fairfield University!
Women’s Day, April 4, BCC Lower Level – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
Come discover and celebrate women, past and present, who have found their identity through imagination and innovation! Enjoy table presentations from several Fairfield University clubs, arts and crafts, baked goods, a Bead-for-Life jewelry sale, performances throughout the day, and much more!
At 6:00pm, in BCC 206, be sure to check out “In the Works,” WGS Faculty Talk about their Current Projects. In honor of Women’s History Month, WGS faculty will share their current research pertaining to women, gender and sexuality. 
Call for Submissions: Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Award 2013
All WGSS Minors are invited to submit a research paper for the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Award. This award is coordinated by the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program to recognize outstanding work. Please follow the steps outlined below.
Submit a Research Paper at least 2000 words in length on a topic in any of the following areas: women’s studies, feminist theory, gender studies, queer theory.
Add a cover sheet that should include the following information:
–name
–year of expected graduation
–essay title
–campus or off-campus telephone number
–campus box number
–email address
–the course for which the paper was written, the semester the course was taken, and the name of the professor.
Please prepare the paper as follows:
— Put the title of your paper at the top of the first page
–put the title and page number on all subsequent pages
–type and double-space the paper
–do NOT put your name on any page except the cover sheet.
Submit two (2) copies of your paper (with the cover sheets attached) to Dr. Colleen Arendt’s mailbox, DMH 232.
DEADLINE: 4:00 pm Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Contact Dr. David Gudelunas, Director of WGSS, with questions.
“In the Works” WGS Faculty Talk about Current Projects – April 4
In honor of Women’s History Month, WGS faculty will share their current research pertaining to women, gender and sexuality. Refreshments will be provided! Join us on April 4, BCC 206 at 6:00 p.m. The following professors will be sharing on their latest research:
Gwendoline Alphonso: “Family, Politics and the State”
Colleen Arendt: “A Rink of One’s Own: Gender, Sport and the Alter Ego in Contemporary Roller Derby”
Anna Lawrence: “Jarena Lee’s Calling: Biography and Storytelling”
Emily Orlando: “Edith Wharton, Women and the Politics of Representation”
Sponsored by the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program.
Havana Today: Continuity and Change
Five Fairfield U
niversity professors who visited Havana in January will give their multidisciplinary impressions of contemporary Cuba in “Havana Today: Between Continuity and Change” on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at 6 p.m. The discussion, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the University’s DiMenna-Nyselius Library multimedia room.
Faculty participating in the talk will be: Joy Gordon, Ph.D., professor of politics; Gisela Gil-Egui, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication; Olivia Harriott, Ph.D., associate professor of biology; Ania Aksan, Ph.D., assistant professor of economics; and Giovanni Ruffini, Ph.D., associate professor of history.
Light refreshments will be provided.
The event is part of the University’s two-year focus on Cities. It is sponsored by the Humanities Institute of the College of Arts & Sciences; the Latin American & Caribbean Studies Program; the Public Lectures & Events Committee; the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program; and the departments of Philosophy, Communication, Biology, Economics, and History.
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Alumnae Panel Tonight
Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Alumnae Panel
Kelley Center Presentation Room – Tonight!
Tonight we kick off Women’s History Month with the Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program Alumnae Career Panel Discussion!
Hear about life after Fairfield as some of our recent graduates share their experiences in the working world. The discussion will be moderated by Professor Orlando. Refreshments will be provided.
White Rainbow Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion Tomorrow!
Join us for the Screening of White Rainbow
Thursday, March 7th at 6pm, BCC Lower Level
The holy city of Vrindavan India, also known as the “City of Widows” harbors nearly 20,000 widows who are abandoned on the streets and flock there in the hopes of finding “Moksha” – Salvation. In Indian society, widows are stigmatized and maligned. Learn about a little known yet urgent subject and help bring social justice for women and societies worldwide!
For more information on the film, visit http://asiasociety.org/policy/social-issues/human-rights/mohini-giri-indias-voice-voiceless
Brought to us by the Montage Initiative; Center for Faith and Public Life; International Studies; Peace and Justice Studies; Sociology and Anthropology; Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Model United Nations Club
Communication Thesis Presentations – Several pertain to WGSS
Be sure to check out some of the Communication Thesis Presentations if you are on campus Monday night.
Especially the following 2 that relate to WGSS subject matter:
“Beauty and the media beast: A cross- generational comparison of women and beauty”
“Whips Chains and Change: A Third Sexual Revolution”
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Communication Thesis Presentations, Monday, March 04 6:30 – 8:45
Library Media Room, Lower Level
Camille Protano will be presenting her Project research titled:
“Stories in the workplace: An exploration of manager perceptions”
Dr. Pagano, Director, Dr. Gudelunas, Second Reader
Diane Casaretti will be presenting her Thesis research titled:
“Beauty and the media beast: A cross- generational comparison of women and beauty”
Dr. Gudelunas, Director and Dr. Pagano, Second Reader
Lori Naber Allyson will be presenting her Thesis research titled:
“Whips Chains and Change: A Third Sexual Revolution”
Dr. Gudelunas, Director and Dr. Serazio, Second Reader
Valerie Montinat Chernetskyy will be presenting her Thesis research titled:
“Consumer motivations for contributing online reviews of products and services”
Dr. Gil-Egui, Director and Dr. Serazio, Second Reader
Living Thinkers Documentary showing this Friday
LIVING THINKERS: AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BLACK WOMEN IN THE IVORY TOWER is a documentary by Roxana Walker-Canton. In it, Black women professors share a collective story about the impact of race, class and gender on their lives as black girls seeking education and their present status in American colleges and universities.
Friday, February 15, 2013 6pm
Gonzaga Hall
Funding made possible by Fairfield University College of Arts and Sciences, the National Council for Black Studies, Cutting Edge Gender Research Grant, and the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism
One Billion Rising, Feb 14 – Demand an end to violence against women
Today, on the planet, a billion women – one of every three women on the planet – will be raped or beaten in her lifetime. That’s ONE BILLION mothers, daughters, sisters, partners, and friends violated.
V-Day REFUSES to stand by as more than a billion women experience violence.
On February 14th, 2013, V-Day’s 15th Anniversary, we are inviting one billion women and those who love them to walk out, DANCE, RISE UP, AND DEMAND an end to this violence. One Billion Rising is a promise that we will rise up with women and men worldwide to say, “Enough! The violence ends now.”
http://onebillionrising.org/
Start your own rising or join one locally:
Domestic Violence Crisis Center Norwalk
One Billion Rising, February 14 12:30pm-1:00pm at the Green in Norwalk
MLK Convocation featuring Diane Nash – Thursday, January 31 at 3PM
All faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation featuring civil rights activist, Diane Nash. Convocation will take place this Thursday, January 31 at 3 p.m. in the Quick Center for the Arts – Kelley Theatre. This event is FREE to the University community. This year’s event will be moderated by Dr. Yohuru Williams, Associate Professor of African American History, and will feature and interactive discussion with students and Diane Nash.
Nash’s involvement in the non-violent movement began in 1959 while she was a student at Fisk University. In 1960 she became the chairperson of the student sit-in movement in Nashville, TN, the first southern city to desegregate its lunch counters. In 1961 she coordinated the Freedom Ride from Birmingham, AL to Jackson, MS, a story documented in the recent PBS American Experience film Freedom Riders.
For more information about the MLK Celebration, please visit the web site at www.fairfield.edu/mlk or contact Fred J. Kuo or Dr. Ellen Umansky, Co-Chairs – MLK Celebration Committee.
Use what you have learned through WGSS, enter the ePortfolio “Share your Path” Contest & Win $500!
The six Core Pathways represent different ways in which you can give shape and trajectory to your experiences at Fairfield, both in and out of the classroom. Through reflecting on the Pathways in a way that incorporates your own interests, passions and academic goals, you will be working to discover your way and deepen your experience through your four years at Fairfield University.
In your E-portfolio entry, present through words, pictures, videos, assignments or projects — or other artifacts and mementos from your year thus far — how the variety of experiences you’ve had both in and out of the classroom have helped you to understand that one of the six Pathways may represent a fruitful, rewarding thematic guide for appreciating your progress so far at Fairfield, and for planning your next couple of years here.
The “Global Citizenship” core is about recognizing and respecting the identities and dignities of all people as well as the planet we all live on. This is a perfect fit for WGSS!
Support WGSS and win $500!
fairfield.digication.com/contest/Home//
Welcome back!
Expect a lot of great things coming from Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies this semester! Check back often as we are planning our annual Women’s Month events as well as other events. New courses are also in the works for the next academic year so it is an exciting time to be involved with WGSS!
Here’s an interesting link to get the semester started and to get us thinking about gender: Nepal to issue “third gender” citizenship. 
Fairfield University responds to the Sandy Hook tragedy
The following statement was issued by Fairfield University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. in response to December 14th’s tragedy in Newtown:
The entire Fairfield University community shares the enormous grief that is being felt by those affected by the tragedy that took place this morning in Newtown. We have students, faculty, staff and alumni who live in the area and our thoughts and prayers go out to them and the entire community impacted by this devastating event. Although we currently don’t have students working at Sandy Hook, we have worked closely with the school in past years, placing graduate students for clinical field experiences there. Members of the Fairfield University staff are assisting the Sandy Hook school community in grief counseling efforts, as well as providing support to any members of the Fairfield University community who may have connections with those involved.
Remembering the Victims of the Newtown Shooting
Vigil Candles will remain burning in the Egan Chapel of Saint Ignatius Loyola through final exams to remember and honor the victims of the Newtown shooting. Two condolence books are also alongside the burning candles in the chapel. Members of the Fairfield community are invited to express their sympathy to the families of the victims. The condolence books will be delivered to the Sandy Hook Elementary School later this week.
From the Fairfield Mirror: Campus Groups Unite
Here’s an opportunity to get involved on campus and support causes related to women, gender and sexuality.
On Monday night, a small but passionate group of student leaders assembled in the BCC to form a new network of humanitarian and justice activists on campus.
Known as the Progressive Student Alliance (PSA), this organization formed for the purpose of bringing exposure to important causes on campus and providing support for student organizations trying to make a difference.
PSA first organized late last year, and so the network was still in its early stages at the end of the semester. As a result, they are “just now finding out how best to network to strengthen our movements collectively,” according to Arturo Jaras Watts ’14.
Jaras Watts is one of many students involved in the launch of PSA last year. Rachel Lang ’14, Crystal Rodriguez ’14 and Mike Elwell ’13, as well as graduates Marissa Tota ’12 and Alicia Bissonnette ’12, brought PSA to life. Both Jaras Watts and Record were quick to emphasize throughout the meeting that the purpose of PSA was not to create a new organization with them as leaders. Rather, PSA will function as a horizontal network of dedicated leaders who provide support for other organizations on campus with important causes.
“Each of us here represent different clubs that we are committed to,” said Record. “But the purpose of PSA is so that when it gets to a point … where you go and present these ideas and it’s on the line and you need backup, we can come.”
Record clarified that this support was not automatic. “If you need a petition that needs to be signed, we should all read it and not just blindly follow you guys,” Record said, “but I think we can see the benefits that this would accrue for all of us.”
Another important function of PSA is to increase the visibility of important humanitarian and justice events happening on campus. In order to accomplish this goal, PSA discussed options such as compiling a bathroom newsletter that lists these events and provides information about the clubs and organizations sponsoring them.
“We have events like the phenomenal Take Back the Night event that happens every year and we want participation to be as large as possible,” said Jaras Watts. “The newsletter would serve that side of the function of increasing the visibility and reaching a greater portion of Fairfield students.” The group also discussed creating a public space such as a bulletin board in the BCC that would display these events and club information.
In all, ten different groups and organizations were represented at the meeting on Monday, although not all clubs involved in PSA were able to send representatives to the meeting. These groups ranged from the environmental club Leaders for Environmental Action at Fairfield (LEAF) to Act Against, a student movement that works to bring important issues to the forefront of campus consciousness.
The organizations and clubs involved in PSA are currently working on assembling their newsletter, which they hope to release during the first weeks of next semester.
Wednesday at 7:30pm Dr. Gudelunas will speak about communication taboos as part of “Talk about communication: Twenty-five years of Communication at Fairfield University”
Join Dr. David Gudelunas, chair of WGSS, on Wednesday night at “Talk about communication: 25 years of communication at Fairfield University” The event will take place at the Dolan School of Business Dining Room at 7:30PM.
Dr. Gudelunas will discuss communication taboos, specifically the intersection of media, culture and sex.
Dr. Sallyanne Ryan will reflect on 25 years of communication at Fairfield.
Dr. Qin Zang will discuss psychological reactance and verbal defensiveness in the workplace: “the effects of perceived threat and interactional justice in supervisor requests.”
Dr. Michael Pagano will discuss a collaborative approach: “getting interpersonal with simulation pedagogy.”
This lecture is funded by a grant from the Humanities Institute of the College of Arts & Sciences Part 2 in the series in Spring 2013.
Come out and support WGSS!
Wednesday, November 28: Fairfield University professor to discuss women and politics at the bookstore
Jocelyn Boryczka, Ph.D., associate professor of politics at Fairfield University, will discuss her new book, “Suspect Citizens: Women, Virtue, and Vice in Backlash Politics,” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 28, at the Fairfield University Bookstore, 1499 Post Road, Fairfield. The talk is free and open to the public.
In her timely work, Dr. Boryczka considers the factors that drive the cycle of backlashes against women’s struggle for equality, freedom and inclusion in American politics. She presents a wide-ranging feminist conceptual history and delves into the ideas of virtue and vice from the Puritans through contemporary debates over sex education and reproductive rights.
“Suspect Citizens” challenges virtue and vice as a moral paradigm consistent with contemporary democratic citizenship and advances a politics of collective responsibility and belonging.
“Using examples from ancient, modern, and contemporary political and feminist theory and practice, Boryczka thoughtfully and critically examines the shifting moral boundaries between virtue and vice in order to understand and expose how gendered notions of morality have constructed women as suspect citizens: unequal, constrained, and excluded from full citizenship within American democracy,” wrote Jennifer Leigh Disney, Ph.D., associate professor of political science and director of the Women’s Studies Program at Winthrop University. “Her work constitutes essential reading for students of political theory, feminist theory, and anyone interested in advancing a democratic feminist ethics.”
Dr. Boryczka teaches several courses on political theory, feminist thought, race, class and gender. She holds a Ph.D. from The Graduate Center, City University of New York.
For more information, contact Elizabeth Hastings, ehastings@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2688. For more information on Fairfield’s MFA in Creative Writing Program, visit www.fairfield.edu/mfa.
Remember to Vote – Tomorrow is Election Day!!!
Hurricane Sandy may hav
e disrupted our lives but the Election is still tomorrow!! Fairfield University has made it easy for students to vote. A van, leaving from Barone Campus Center Circle will take students to vote every 30minutes from 10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. Make sure to do your part and vote! For more election related events on campus, visit https://www2.fairfield.edu/students411_content/ElectionPoster.pdf
