In honor of International Women’s Day, Women at Wesleyan hosted a cocktail hour and panel discussion at Olin Library on March 8. All faculty and staff were invited. The theme, “Be Bold for Change,” encourages substantial action to help create a more gender inclusive world.
Krystal-Gayle O’Neill, area coordinator for the Office of Residential Life, spearheaded and coordinated the event.Panelists included , from left, Laura Patey, associate dean of student academic resources; Krishna Winston, the Marcus L. Taft Professor of German Language and Literature, professor of German studies; Madalena Henning ’15; and Lois Brown, the Class of 1958 Distinguished Professor, chair and professor of African American studies, professor of English, and professor of feminist, gender and sexuality studies. Debbie Colucci (not pictured), equity compliance director and deputy Title IX coordinator, moderated the event.Lois Brown’s teaching, research and scholarship focus on African American and New England literary history and culture, 18th and 19th century African American memory, as well as the politics of identity, faith and privilege in colonial and antebellum America. She also is a public historian who believes that we there is still so much of our history that has yet to be unearthed or encountered. The daughter of teachers, Brown cherishes the classroom as a place where she can encourage her students to be brave thinkers, bold writers and fearless speakers.Madalena Henning is queer, trans-femme poet, intersectional feminist and social justice advocate. Since graduating from Wesleyan in 2015, Henning has been a cycling tour guide, doggie daycare manager, and, most recently acting program manager for the Center for the Arts.Laura Patey oversees accessibility services for students with disabilities, peer tutoring and the peer advising programs. She’s been an educator for almost 40 years, starting her career as an Industrial Arts teacher. The path that has led to her current position is one that is rooted in advocacy and in the belief that each individual has value and worth and often capacity beyond what they imagine. Krishna Winston teaches German language and literature, has served as acting dean of the college and as dean for the arts and humanities, as Fulbright Program advisor, and as coordinator of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship. She has also been a member of numerous committees and task forces and serves as a faculty advisor to the Student Judicial Board. In the Middletown community she chairs the Recycling Commission and is president of the Jonah Center for Earth and Art and a member of the Environmental Collective Impact Network. A professional literary translator, she has published over 35 books translated from German into English.The event was sponsored by the Office of Equity and Inclusion, Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. (Photos by Will Barr ’18)
Olivia Drake
Mike Mavredakis
Ziba Kashef
Andrew Chatfield