womenctr@uoregon.edu
541-346-4099
On February 3-4, 2006, the ASUO Women's Center will host the 11th Annual Women of Color Conference on the University of Oregon Campus. The theme of the conference is "Mind, Body and Soul" and is designed to promote and encourage the importance of social and political support for women of color. The conference will offer an array of empowering and educational workshops geared around the conference theme, including (and not limited to) self-defense and yoga, HIV and STI prevention in minority women, immigration issues, and resources for allies to women of color. Former ASUO Women's Center Director and nationally recognized activist, actor, and budding filmmaker Erin O'Brien will host an interactive workshop titled "Re:Membering Oppression". The forum will provide participants the opportunity to process experiences of oppression and identify alternative solutions.
Along with the workshops, the Women's Center is honored to host a dynamic conference opening by bell hooks, world renowned activist, academic, and social critic. hooks' work primarily examines the interconnectedness of oppression (namely race, gender and class) and argues that positive social change requires confronting these issues as a whole. The opening address will begin Friday evening at 6 pm in Columbia 150. The format of the address will be primarily question/answer; the Women's Centers asks and invites all participants to come to the lecture with a prepared question for bell hooks.
Saturday's activities begin with intial registration at 9:30 am, and workshops starting at 10:30 am in various River Rooms throughout the EMU. The conference is designed for but not limited to women of color. All workshops are free to UO students, staff, and faculty and are open to the public. bell hooks is $5 for students, $7 for faculty, staff, and community members. For more information, please contact the ASUO Women's Center at womenctr@uoregon.edu or 346-4099.