The fall 2017 Feminist Lecture Series at Sonoma State University starts with a lecture on Aug. 31 by Writer Kim Tran on what pop culture has done to feminism. Tran's works have been featured on Vice News, PRI, Ms. Magazine, Vox and Mic. The series includes a special lecture by Chihiro Wimbush, an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, and Nikiko Masumoto, an organic farmer and artist, delves into the making of the film Changing Season: On the Masumoto Farm, the role of organic family farms in sustainable agriculture, and what it means to be a progressive queer female farmer in the Central Valley. Lectures are held on Thursdays with Q&A at the end, noon to 12:50 p.m. in Stevenson 1002. Admission is free, parking on campus is $5-$8. The series is presented by the Women's and Gender Studies Department at Sonoma State.
Aug. 31
From Amy Schumer to Cardi B: The New Feminism
Kim Tran, writer, publisher, scholar. Ethnic studies and gender & women’s studies, UC Berkeley.
As celebrities ranging from Taylor Swift to Ava Duvernay proclaim their feminism, Kim Tran examines what’s at stake. In this moment, the movement itself seems simultaneously hyper visible yet hard to pin down as ever. Is it about equal pay? Is it even about women anymore? In this lecture, Tran will talk intersectionality, pussy hats and most importantly what it all might mean for you.
Sept. 14
A Catalyst for Change
Veronica Vences, Program Director and Betzy Chavez, Family Resource Center Director, from La Luz Center
La Luz Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing disadvantaged families in Sonoma Valley with the resources needed to become economically self-sufficient. Their efforts focus on education, health and wellness, and financial security.
Sept. 21
Compassion, Safety, Support: Verity
Stephanie Manieri, bilingual sexual assault victim advocate
Verity provides a number of services, including a 24/7 sexual assault crisis line, walk in crisis counseling, crisis intervention, therapy for individuals and larger support groups, preventative education, and professional training. Verity’s growth over the past 43 years has encompassed this and more in order to best meet the community’s needs.
Sept. 28
St. James Infirmary and the Movement for Sex Worker Rights
Anita O’Shea. Executive Assistant, St. James Infirmary
St. James Infirmary, based in San Francisco, is a peer-based occupational health and safety clinic for sex workers and their families. Among other services, they provide peer counseling, primary healthcare, STD testing, and transgender hormone therapy.
Oct. 12
Changing Season: On the Masumoto Farm
Chihiro Wimbush (filmmaker) and Nikiko Masumoto, organic farmer/artist/writer.
Emmy-nominated filmmaker Chihiro Wimbush and farmer Nikiko Masumoto discuss the making of the film Changing Season: On the Masumoto Farm, the role of organic family farms in sustainable agriculture, and what it means to be a progressive queer female farmer in the Central Valley.
Oct. 26
Center for Student Leadership, Involvement and Service
SSU Campus Life Advisor Rob Smith talks sports, masculinities and race.
Nov. 9
Tatyana Brown: Poet, Community Educator, Spoken Word Artist
Slam poet, community educator and artist Tatyana Brown teaches workshops everywhere from coffee shops, bars, to middle school classrooms and homeless shelters on critical analysis/writing for poetry, storytelling, performance, and the use of various forms of media (including shock-value comedy) as a tool to interrupt and dismantle systemic oppression.
Nov. 30
Resistance, Rebellion, and Music
Taina Asili, New York-based Puerto-Rican singer, songwriter, bandleader and activist
Taína Asili performs social justice songs as a solo artist, and also with her eight-piece band, "Taína Asili y la Banda Rebelde," bringing love, resistance, and ancestral remembrance to venues, festivals, conferences and political events across the globe. Asili’s voice exudes strength of Spirit, filling listeners with the fervor for freedom and inspiring audiences to dance to the rhythm of rebellion.