Inaugural Women's Month celebration begins

Women from across Columbus and Ohio State will gather to recognize the rich histories, cultures, talents and experiences of women during the University's inaugural Women's History Month observance, titled "The Essence of Sisterhood: Coming into the Time of Woman -- Womyn's Month 2000."

Events began Feb. 7 and run through March 13. The observance also will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Women Student Services at Ohio State.

The Women's History Month gala celebration, beginning at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 in the Ohio Union Main Lounge, will feature Elaine Brown, an activist and lecturer, as she describes her role as former head of the Black Panther Party and her life since the 1960s.

In 1974, Brown became the first and is still the only woman to have led the Black Panther Party. The session will focus on the "new" types of racism; experiences with racism as a present-day issue; and the fear that this new type of racism will follow humankind into the next millennium. The author of A Taste of Power, Brown will analyze "the nature of oppression in America" and offer some possible solutions.

Other events include:

Feb. 14

• Soup & Substance, "Love Your Bones: How to make diet, exercise and lifestyle choices that are good for your body," 4-5 p.m., Ohio Union Buckeye Suites A & B.

Feb. 16

• Body Image Bazaar, noon to 6 p.m., Larkins Hall North Lobby.

• SHADES, a group for women of color, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Ohio Union Buckeye Suite A.

• "Preparing for Your First Visit to the Gynecologist," 8 p.m., Morrison Tower first floor lobby.

Feb. 21

• Soup & Substance, "Women's Fitness," 4-5 p.m., Ohio Union Board Room.

• Sister Series, 7-9 p.m., Hale Center.

Feb. 23

• Womyn's Month 2000 Gala Celebration, 6 p.m., Ohio Union Main Lounge, featuring Elaine Brown (in conjunction with United Black World Month). The event also includes recognition of the founding mothers of Women Student Services at Ohio State as part of a commemoration of the office's 25th anniversary.

Feb. 24

• "Honoring Columbus Women Series," featuring Jodie Scheiman, senior vice president of investments at Paine Webber, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ohio Union Failer Lounge.

• Womyn's Month Movie Series, "Fire," 7:30 p.m., University Hall room 014.

Feb. 27-March 30

• "The Essence of Sisterhood," Bricker Hall and Hale Black Cultural Center Art Exhibits.

The entire calendar is available at womens-studies.ohio-state.edu/wmn2000 on the Web. See the Feb. 24 issue of onCampus for more information about Women's History Month.

Forum will focus on arts in education

The first-ever ART-fomercial -- a forum among artists, arts educators and public school arts teachers -- will be held from 4:30-6 p.m. on Feb. 17 at the Wexner Center Black Box Theatre. Candidates for public office will be special guests.

Panel members will include Jim Hutchens, chair of art education at Ohio State; Susan Witten, director of curriculum at Hamilton Local Schools; Marlene Robbins, dance teacher at Indianola Alternative Elementary, Columbus Public Schools; Melinda Kay Rosenberg, art teacher at Thomas Worthington High School; and Thad Rickter, art teacher at Hilliard High School.

For more information, call 292-5072 or e-mail gill.1@osu.edu.

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