The purpose of the roundtables is to create a common knowledge base about the history of feminism, to assess our current status and to begin the creative process of shaping our future. All workshops will be offered twice on Friday, so you can choose two different topics (the list of presenters may vary between the morning and afternoon workshops, but the general content will remain the same). Workshops are repeated to allow a greater number of people to engage the same topics. Attendees may also choose skills building workshops.
The format of the roundtables will be interactive. Presenters are asked to give some perspective and ideas and will then engage participants in an exploration of the topic.
Room: Eastman
How has the media portrayed feminism and the feminist movement? How have we impacted the media? This will be a historical discussion of the coverage of feminist issues through the mass media and the impact that feminists have had on media coverage. Presenters will also explore how mass media coverage of NOW fits in the spectrum of today's political influences, what role the mass media can play as a communications strategy for the grassroots and what impact emerging media technologies may have on NOW's strategies.
Presenters: Twiss Butler, Helen Grieco,Vivian Todini, Elizabeth
Toledo
Current
Politics and Power Groups
Room: Gleason
How do we define our opposition? How do we define our allies? What people, groups, traditions and other forces work for and against the feminist movement? This roundtable will explore current and past opposing forces, including the religious right, corporate interests, media and more.
Presenters: Mandy Carter, Alice Cohan, Barbara DiTullio, Kim
Gandy, Galen Sherwin
Grassroots
Strategies
Room: Fitzhugh
How have we made change? How have other movements through history made change? How have different movements influenced each other? Presenters will explore how complimentary strategies electoral, legislative and legal strategies, for example work in combination with our grassroots strategies. The roundtable will address why NOW has embarked on a grassroots strategy, and what potential that strategy has for our future.
Presenters: Renee Berry-Huffman, Janet Canterbury, Andrea Lee,
Marcia Pappas, Chloe Watts
Movement
History
Room: Anthony
What are the milestones of feminism? What is the current status of our movement and where are we headed? How has conflict played a role in social justice movements? This roundtable will begin with early conflicts and triumphs around the Seneca Falls convention and follow feminism through to present day. Presenters will explore movement dynamics throughout history for example, how have splits/conflicts shaped NOW?
Presenters: Karen DeCrow, Karen
Johnson, Debra Northart, Ellie Smeal,
Sally Roesch Wagner
Cultural Influences
Room: Riverview Ballroom
This roundtable will examine the role of culture in shaping attitudes about feminism and the role of women in society. Cultural exploration will include television, advertising, movies, music, theatre, organized religion and other avenues for mass influence. This workshop will explore cultural influences that perpetuate the stereotypes and prejudices about women's equality and the positive influences that impact feminism.
Presenters: Patrice Curtis, Earleen Edberg, Patricia Ireland, Hannah Olanoff, Janice Rocco
Remember: The same vision roundtables will be held at both 10:15 am and 2:45 pm on Friday -- they are not two-part sessions. Please do not attend the same roundtable in the morning and afternoon.