Rider's Gender and Sexuality Studies Program to host its annual colloquium

Rider University's Gender and Sexuality Studies Program will hold its 34th Annual Colloquium from 9:45 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Sweigart Auditorium on April 7. Nationally recognized writer and activist Amelia Bonow will deliver the keynote address, “So You’ve Gone Viral — Now What? Life After Hashtag Activism” at 1 p.m. after the presentations of the Ziegler-Gee Award and the Virginia J. Cyrus scholarship award. Throughout the day, panels will feature students as they present their original research, performances, creative work and multimedia projects related to gender or sexuality studies.

The GSS Colloquium gives students an opportunity to understand the importance and complexity of gender and sexuality in both the past and present. "Every year, we seek a keynote speaker who can relate to what our students are experiencing," says Dr. Mary Morse, English professor and Director of  Rider's Gender and Sexuality Program. "I am certain that Amelia Bonow's experiences with social media as a platform for reproductive rights activism will likewise encourage our students to find their own ways to promote gender and sexual equality."

Last year, Jazmine Fenlator '07 and a member of the U.S. Olympic bobsled team, discussed gender issues in sports, impressing students with her courage and persistence in breaking down gender barriers. 

Students are encouraged to attend this year. "In addition to taking part in a campus-wide discussion about issues of sexuality and gender, students can showcase their research, polish their public speaking skills in front of a supportive audience of their peers and gain valuable professional experience presenting at a conference," says Dr. Erica Ryan, Rider history professor and GSS Paper Selection Committee chair. 

Topics this year will include the nature of sex discrimination, deconstructing popular representations of women, and activism and awareness about sexism, feminism, and fertility. Professors Morse, Terra Joseph and Deborah Cordonnier will join students in exploring these topics during their own presentations. Students that have been selected to present are Valerie Bell, Alex de Aguiar Reuter, Jennifer Fanelli, William Gallagher, Christopher Hochstuhl, Haley Johnston, Kaitlyn Kallert, Kimberly Rodriguez and Anna Wostenberg. Alia Danch, Jay Maenhout, and Melissa Morrissey have also been chosen to present their papers at the GSS Colloquium as well at at the 12th Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium, hosted by the New Jersey Women’s and Gender Studies Consortium, on April 1 at Brookdale Community College.

For more information, please contact Dr. Erica Ryan at [email protected].