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WILKES-BARRE — A conference on “Women, Politics and Activism” this week at Wilkes University will provide an opportunity for participants to share research, discuss ideas, engage in artistic expression and raise awareness for issues surrounding gender, sexuality and social justice.

This year’s two day event marks the fifth collaboration between King’s College and Wilkes University in organizing the annual conference on Women’s and Gender Studies.

Dr. Helen Davis, Associate Professor of English at King’s, said the conference is especially relevant in light of the nation’s political climate and upcoming elections.

The conference, she said, provides opportunity for participants to discuss relevant topics ranging from the challenges of running for office to women in the media.

Presentations are designed to challenge attendees to effectuate change in their own lives and in the world around them.

Although many of the sessions do directly address political topics, some sessions will involve topics that are seemingly unexpected.

For example, Michael Berry, King’s College, will moderate a presentation looking into the significance of women as they are presented in comic books. Another presentation will provide information about the prevalence of child brides.

Davis said the event is expanding in both the topics it presents and in the diversity of attendees.

“We now have participants from Luzerne County Community College, Misericordia, Rutgers and other institutions of higher learning,” she said. “And the event is free and open to the public.”

Davis, who also teaches Women and Gender Studies, makes it a requirement of those courses to present at the conference.

“It gives students an opportunity to learn about what interests them,” she said, “whether that’s abortion or business practices.”

Davis said she she encourages students to think of the issue of equality for women on a global level.

In 2015, when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed women to 50 percent of his cabinet positions, he was asked why parity was important to him.

“Because it’s 2015,” Trudeau said.

Dr. Jennifer Thomas, director of Women and Gender Studies at Wilkes, said the conference will provide opportunity for dialogue and discussion of a variety of issues.

“This year we will be talking about hunger, an issue that might not be expected in an academic environment,” she said.

Thomas said in order to get the benefit of the thoughts and talents of all women, they need to be able to bring their ideas to the table.

The purpose of the conference, she said, is to encourage women to think outside the box and to remove any obstacles to having everyone engage in that dialogue.

Thomas said she is especially excited that the conference key note speaker, who will conclude the conference on Tuesday night, brings with her a great deal of diversity and experience.

Dr. Jennie Sweet-Cushman will address “the media treatment of women politicians and why it matters.”

Sweet will address ways in which female candidates can present themselves to the media and examine how the media treats men and women differently.

Sweet-Cushman is the Assistant Director of the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics, and Assistant Professor of Political Science at Chatham University.

Thomas said she believes Sweet-Cushman’s experience uniquely qualifies her to start to not only provide information, but to start a dialogue among college students.

Sweet-Cushman
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Sweet-Cushman-2c-Jennie-2.jpg.optimal.jpgSweet-Cushman

Wilkes University Professor Jennifer Thomas discusses gender roles in various occupations in this February 2013 photo.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/web1_Jennifer_Thomas1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgWilkes University Professor Jennifer Thomas discusses gender roles in various occupations in this February 2013 photo.

By Geri Gibbons

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Reach Geri Gibbons at 570-991-6117 or on Twitter @TLGGibbons.