Lecture series begings, teaches importance of women in society

The Women of Marshall Series sponsored by the Faculty-in-Residence program began Monday with a special speaker.

Pat Conlon, assistant professor of safety technology, said the main purpose of the Women of Marshall Series is to acknowledge the talented professors at Marshall and showcase their knowledge and talents.

The Women of Marshall Series ties in with Women's History Month, which is the month of March, Conlon said.

"I'm hoping that maybe the focus on the women at Marshall may get some of the female students to get more interested in the programs," Conlon said.

Genevieve Meyers, assistant professor of political science, was the first speaker of the series. The title of her speech was "Women and Peace-Making: Challenges and Prospects."

Meyers said gender-based attacks happen all over the world. Gender-based attacks include rape, abduction, slavery and forced marriage.

The most effective way to make people aware of gender-based attacks and peace-making strategies is for women to articulate women's rights, interests, concerns and needs, Meyers said. Women bring different perspectives to the idea of peace-making. The best ways to help prevent gender based attacks are to participate in peace-making women movements, coalitions and adopt a true gender perspective among others.

There are four speakers this semester, Conlon said. Each speaker will give different presentations on the topic of her choice. The Faculty-in-Residence program are planning to have the series every semester.

"What we are hoping to do for next year is that we would get speakers that would relate to topics relating to students' majors," Conlon said. "We can schedule those throughout the semester and be able to meet a variety of student interests."

Conlon's daughter, Colleen Conlon, was one of four students who attended the speech. Colleen Conlon, biology major from Pittsburgh, Pa., said after hearing the speaker, it is clear how lucky Americans are.

"I think we have the fortune of our predecessors doing so much for us that we didn't have to live through such hardships like in other countries," Colleen Conlon said. "Even today there is sexism and violence against women in America, but compared to less developed nations, we're centuries ahead in women's rights and understanding what women need."

Meyers said the series is important for all students to attend.

"It is important for students to know that women play a special role in our lives; they deserve credit," Meyers said. "It's important for women to know they are valued. Especially young girls; they need to be trained, they need to be talked to and they need to be encouraged to know that they have a role to play in society.

"That's why we should attend events like this, to see what we have done so far, what achievements have been made and what we can still do," she said.

   Marybeth Beller will be the next speaker. She is giving her speech on 7 p.m. Thursday in First Year Residence Hall South. Her topic will be "From Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin: Breaking the Glass Ceiling in National Politics."

Laura Hatfield can be contacted at hatfield120@marshall.edu.