Sharing through the generations

Circle-of-Life-1

Liz Altieri participates in the Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogue as part of Women's History Month. Every Monday in March, an inner circle of women from one generation will speak to an outer circle of participants from other generations about their life experiences.

March 1 marked the beginning of Women's History Month, and Radford University wasted no time joining in the celebration.

The following day, eight RU faculty members and guests gathered in Heth Hall for the first of three Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogues.

The women, almost all aged 50 and older, sat in a small circle toward the center of the room, surrounded by a larger circle of women representing different age groups.

In a moving and personal dialogue, members of the inner circle discussed the rewards and the challenges of aging.

"Wisdom, a sense of peacefulness, loss, aches and pains," the women shared.

"They don't make me take my shoes off at the airport anymore," joked guest Dorothy Allison, an award-winning novelist who was visiting RU's campus on behalf of Women's History Month.

Allison, author of "Bastard out of Carolina," among other acclaimed works, presented later that afternoon at a separate event.

Two additional dialogues are scheduled for March 16 (30s-40s in inner circle) and March 23 (20s and younger in inner circle). Both events will be held in Heth 16 at 2 p.m.

Circle-of-Life-2

Faculty members Moira Baker and Laurie Cubbison participate in the Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogue as part of Women's History Month.

Women's History Month events will resume upon students' return from Spring Break:

March 16

  • 2 p.m., Heth 16. Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogue (30s- 40s in inner circle), Dr. Sarah Hastings

March 18

  • 4 p.m., Heth 45. Dr. Virginia Weisz and Debra Massaro (Nursing): "A Day in the Life of a Belizean Mother"

March 19

  • 2 p.m., Heth 22. Dr. Roann Barris and Students from ARTH 420 (ARTH): "Contemporary Art History and Women’s Issues"

March 20

  • 4 p.m., Heth 16. Dr. Deneen Evans (School of Social Work), Natalie Fajardo (Assistant Director for Diversity and Inclusion), Dr. Diane Hodge (Director School of Social Work), Crasha Townsend (Director Center for Diversity and inclusion): "LEAN IN—Women, Work, and the Will to Lead: What Happens when Women of Diverse Voices Lean In?"

March 23

  • 2 p.m., Heth 16. Circle of Life Intergenerational Dialogue (20s and under in inner circle), Dr. Sarah Hastings

March 25

  • 5 p.m., Brewin’ Around Coffee Shop. Slam Poetry Event.

March 26

  • 3 p.m., Heth 16. STEP-UP! Bystander Intervention: SAVES Staff, Dr. Amy Sorensen (Sociology)
  • 7:30 p.m., Albig Theatre. Paradigm Shift: An Evening of Women’s Work— a concert celebrating Women’s History Month, featuring original creative dance works by emerging female choreographers from the RU Department of Dance

March 27

  • 1:30 p.m., Bonnie 249. Dr. Donna Boyd (Co-Director Forensic Science Institute) and Dr. Sara O’Brien (Biology): Women in STEM Professions—Opportunities, Challenges, Strategies for Success (panel discussion with STEM students and professionals)

March 29

  • 2 p.m., Bonnie Auditorium. Performance of Eve Ensler’ s The Vagina Monologues. Directed by Lucinda McDermott

March 30

  • 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Muse Banquet Hall. Caitlyn Parker (History, English, and Women’s Studies): "Defining and Creating Safe Spaces: A Day of Workshops, Lectures, and Discussions"
  • 2 p.m., Heth 16. Bence Bays, Leanne Hancock, Cassandra Perkins (Career Center ): "Women and the Work World"
  • 1 p.m., Heth 14. Exhibit Opening & Students' Presentations

March 30-31, 7 p.m., Bonnie Auditorium. Vagina Monologues

March 30, 1-5 p.m. and March 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Heth 14. Dr. Carlee Bradbury and Students from ARTH 414 (Art): "The Mary Project"—Art Exhibit and Symposium

March 31

  • 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Heth 14. "The Mary Project" Exhibit
  • 4 p.m., Bonnie Auditorium. Dr. Hilary Lips (Chair, Department of Psychology): "Women Working for Less: What’s the problem?"

April 1

  • Covington Foyer. Closing Reception, President Penelope W. Kyle: "Reflections on Women and Women's History Month"

Mar 4, 2015