The ninth annual University Women of Color Conference is going international this week with a theme intended to appeal to the inner-activist inside all women.
The conference, titled “Feminism: An International Perspective,” begins Tuesday and lasts through Thursday. It will feature free theatrical performances, lectures, films and workshops intended to build community and inspire activism, according to an ASUO Women’s Center press release.
“We hope to inspire activism from women of color and women that consider themselves a minority,” Women’s Center Diversity Coordinator Silvia Herman said.
Herman, who is directing the event, said this year’s theme was chosen to appeal to all women.
“We want to make sure that all women feel welcome attending the conference,” she said.
She said planning the event involved many student groups and departments on campus, and many agreed the theme should express inclusiveness.
“It’s been a collaborative event,” she said. “I don’t think it could have been any more inclusive.”
She said there has been a lot of discussion about the conference meeting the needs of students and faculty, and further discussions will take place after the event.
“I’ve tried to address the needs of women of color on campus and the women of diverse backgrounds,” she said.
Tuesday features theatrical performances by Erin O’Brien, a Vietnamese-Irish American activist who will address issues such as hate crimes, homophobia and violence against women, according to the release. The performances include “Sometimes I feel,” “Growing up Gay” and “The Dress.”
Members of ethnic student unions are sponsoring a women of color open-mic event Thursday that will highlight some of the campus women of color’s voices and talents, junior Lijin Abraham said.
Abraham, who is helping direct the event, said students also are sponsoring a workshop titled “Consolidating the Fractured Image Among Women of Color,” which is intended to examine image and identity misconceptions among women of color.
“It’s going to be kind of a safe space for women of color,” she said.
Herman said the international theme is meant to speak to a variety of women because people have different perceptions of who women of color are.
“It’s very hard to define what’s a woman of color,” she said.
Abraham said she has been apprehensive about this year’s theme while serving as the connection between the event’s coordinator and the student groups on campus. She said the international theme has the potential to leave out American women of color.
“It kind of excludes women of color in the U.S.,” she said. “As long as they don’t get overlooked and they’re included in the international perspective, that’s great.”
She said the conference is important for letting people know there are women of color on campus.
“They’re very underrepresented,” she said.
Women’s Center Director Lisa Foisy said Herman has sought out many viewpoints about the conference throughout the planning process.
“On her part, she really worked hard to reach a variety of constituents,” Foisy said.
She said the input of campus groups and departments, and the coordinator’s vision determine the theme for the conference.
“It can change from year to year,” she said. “Really it’s open.”
Andy Smith will wrap up the conference with the keynote speech Thursday. Smith co-founded Incite! Women of Color Against Violence, a national activist organization of feminists of color that aims to end violence against women of color and their communities, according to its Web site, http://www.incite-national.org.
Herman said one of the main purposes of the conference is to motivate people. She said she also hopes the conference will educate people about feminism around the world.
“We definitely want to bring awareness to campus,” she said.