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University Communications

Jepson Leadership Forum and WILL speakers to explore "Rhetoric & Reality: Race & Gender, Power & Politics" for 2007-08 season

August 6, 2007

Some of the most articulate voices of our time will discuss power and politics through the lenses of race and gender for the 2007-08 Jepson Leadership Forum season jointly presented by University of Richmond's Jepson School of Leadership Studies and the Women Involved in Living and Learning program.

Two political analysts with opposing opinions on the Clinton family legacy will open the series of more than a dozen programs on Sept. 25, 7 p.m. at Modlin Center for the Arts. Fox News commentators Richard Lowry, editor of National Review and author of "Legacy: Paying the Price for the Clinton Years," and Susan Estrich, attorney and author of "Sex & Power" and "The Case for Hillary Clinton," will discuss society, law, culture and the upcoming election season. The presentation is co-sponsored by Richmond School of Law and is its 21st annual Emanuel Emroch Lecture.

All programs are free and open to the public. Tickets are required and may be reserved three weeks before each event by calling (804) 289-8980. For group tickets, contact Sue Robinson-Sain at (804) 287-6627 or jepson@richmond.edu.

Other programs in the series include:

  • "Beyond Black and White: All About Barack and Much More," Juan Williams, senior correspondent, National Public Radio, Oct. 4, 7 p.m., Modlin Center for the Arts. One of the nation's leading political writers and thinkers, Williams will discuss American politics, civic rights, law and culture.
  • "Media Messages, Missteps and Inside Stories from Newsrooms and Campaigns," Oct. 29, 7 p.m., Jepson Alumni Center. Lisa Green, senior producer, NBC "Weekend Today;" Glenn Proctor, executive editor, Richmond Times-Dispatch; and Keith Woods, dean of faculty at Poynter Institute, will discuss leadership challenges and the media's role in covering points of view, balance, civility, stereotypes and fairness.
  • "Americans in a Different Mirror: How We are Connected to Each Other and What Our Future Holds," Ronald Takaki, professor emeritus of Asian American Studies, University of California, Berkeley, Nov. 14, 7 p.m., Jepson Alumni Center. Author of "A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America," Takaki will discuss how Americans can build connections across cultural and ethnic barriers. (Program co-sponsored by Common Ground, Robins School of Business and Richmond Quest.)
  • "Through the Labyrinth: The Advantages and Disadvantages of Women as Leaders," Alice Eagly, chair and professor of psychology, Northwestern University, Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Jepson Alumni Center. Eagly will discuss women in leadership and the barriers they face in attempting to succeed.
  • "Taking the Nation's Pulse," Jan. 23, 7 p.m., Jepson Alumni Center. Discussion will include polls, primaries, candidates, fundraising and political rhetoric. Led by Alan Ehrenhalt, editor of Governing magazine and a visiting scholar at the Jepson School, other speakers include Lisa Garcia Bedolla, associate professor of political science and Chicano/Latino studies, University of California, Irvine; Rhodes Cook, independent political analyst and author of books on presidential elections and voting patterns; and Janelle Wong, associate professor of political science and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California.
  • "Leading with a Feminist Curiosity: How to Explore Our Militarized Culture," Cynthia Enloe, professor, Clark University, Feb. 12, 7 p.m., Jepson Alumni Center. Enloe will discuss feminism, militarization and globalization.
  • "Rage, Rap and Reality: An Evening with Chuck D," Chuck D, founder of Public Enemy, March 18, 7 p.m., Jepson Alumni Center. Carlton Douglas Ridenhour, known by his stage name Chuck D, will discuss black men's disenfranchisement and distance from the wealth and privilege of mainstream America, the hip-hop movement and rap's crude, cruel street language. (Program co-sponsored by Common Ground.)

The season finale is a two-day symposium, "Leadership, Strategy and Social Change," April 1-2 at Jepson Alumni Center. Speakers and workshops will explore the history, future and tactics of social movements. The focus will be leadership, social change and the connections between gender, race, sexuality and class. The complete line-up of speakers will be announced in January. Highlights include:

  • "A People's History of Rights, Justice and Change," Howard Zinn, professor emeritus, political science, Boston University, April 1, 7 p.m. Zinn argues the historian's social responsibility to help resolve human conflict.
  • "Leading Social Change: Relationships, Story and Strategy," Marshall Ganz, lecturer in public policy, Hauser Center for Nonprofit Organizations, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, April 2, noon. Ganz will present a lunchtime keynote address followed by a workshop. Separate registration required for this event. To register, e-mail Jepson@richmond.edu
  • "The Next Vanguard in Civil Rights—Abandoning the Myth of Meritocracy," Lani Guinier, Bennett Boskey professor of law at Harvard Law School, April 2, 7 p.m. Guinier, the first black woman appointed to a tenured professorship at Harvard Law, has written on democratic theory, political representation, educational equity, and race and gender.

"Problem, Policy/Activism & Advocacy: Discussions on Domestic Violence," co-sponsored by WILL, Richmond Quest and Westhampton and Richmond colleges, includes four presentations addressing abuse and violence against women and efforts to prevent it. Programs are free, but seating is limited. For information call (804) 289-8574. Additional programs may be added:

  • "Crime, Punishment and Legal Issues: Restoring Liberty and Equality to Battered Women," Feb. 21, 4 p.m., Whitehurst Living Room. Featured speaker: Diane Rosenfeld, Harvard law professor and lecturer in women's studies.
  • "Close to Home: How to Be an Advocate for Self and Others," Feb. 26, 4 p.m., Brown-Alley Room. Featured speaker: Lisa Furr, project coordinator, Central Virginia Task Force on Older Battered Women.
  • "From Out in the World to Our Hometown: Working Together to End Violence," Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., Alice Haynes Room, Tyler Haynes Commons. Featured speaker: Michael Kaufman, founder of the White Ribbon Campaign, an international movement of men working to end violence against women.
  • "Politics and Poetics with Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai," Feb. 29, lunch discussion, 12:30 p.m.; performance, 9 p.m., Tyler Haynes Commons. Featured speaker: Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai, Chinese-Taiwanese-American spoken-word artist and activist.