Women, Politics and Power
19 Mar 2012— The role of women in politics and society has been on the front burner lately as individuals and political candidates debate health care matters related to gender.
Indiana University South Bend will host a spring series of events on the theme: “Women, Politics and Power,” sponsored by the campus American Democracy Project. All events are free and open to the public:
- 11:30 a.m. April 3: “Preparing the Next Generation: Women as Role Models,” a lunch and learn gathering featuring Christina Wolbrecht, a political science professor at theUniversity of Notre Dame. The gathering will be in Room 221-223 of IUSB’s Student Activities Center. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP to: hmdill@iusb.edu.
- 5:30 p.m. April 5: “Back to the Future: Women in American Politics, 1776-2012 and Beyond,” a lecture by Elizabeth Bennion, IUSB political science professor, in Room 1001 Wiekamp Hall. A reception will follow.
- 11 a.m. May 4: “Forward Together: Building a Coalition for the Collective Good,” a women of power and influence luncheon in the University Grill, IUSB Administration Building. Members of the public planning to attend should RSVP via e-mail at: hmdill@iusb.edu or call 574-520-4622.
A roundtable panel will feature a question and answer session along with a brainstorming discussion and networking period.
Participation is limited to 100 people, by invitation. A lunch will be provided. Members of the general public who wish to attend should contact hmdill@iusb.edu .
The third event is the 24th annual Lundquist Fellowship Lecture at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, in Room 1001, Wiekamp Hall. Professor Elizabeth Bennion, director of the American Democracy Project, and associate professor of political science, will present the lecture on “Back to the Future: Women in American Politics, 1776-2012 and Beyond.”
The lecture is free and open to the public.
Bennion will have a multimedia presentation on women’s role in American democracy from the founding of the nation through contemporary times. She will discuss the fight for the right to vote, the Equal Rights Amendment, the 2010 congressional election and future candidates for all office.
A reception will follow.
The Eldon F. Lundquist Fellowship recognizes a faculty member who has exhibited excellence in teaching, scholarly achievement and diversified relevant service.
Bennion arrived on campus as a lecturer in 1999. She became the director of the American Democracy Project in 2004. She became an associate professor in 2007.
She received her bachelor’s degree in American studies from Smith College, Northhamption, Mass., in 1994. She received her master’s and her doctorate in political science from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
The Lundquist Lecture was instituted in 1984 and named after Eldon Lundquist, one of Elkhart’s best known natives. He wore many hats – public relations, advertising, hospital development director, sportscaster and legislator. He was a member of the Indiana General Assembly from 1961 to 1976, where he served as the Senate Education Committee chairman for more than a decade.
In 1976, he was appointed assistant to the president of Indiana University with an office at IU South Bend. He served in that role until his death in 1977.
His friends established an endowment in his name to sponsor public lectures. In 1984, the Faculty Fellowship Program was established to support IU South Bend faculty members who demonstrate outstanding accomplishments in teaching, scholarship and research.
Past Lundquist winners have been Les Lamon, Tuck Langland, De Bryant, Ken Smith and Mike Keen.
The events are sponsored by MPA Architects, South Bend
For more on the event, see Southbend Tribune.