Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - From Simone de Beauvoir to Phoolan Devi to Marian Wright Edelman, women across the globe were honored during the first University of Wisconsin-Platteville gathering of people celebrating "Our Sheroes." The event was sponsored by the Patricia A. Doyle Women's Center, under the direction of Patricia Foster.

The tribute to women was held on March 1, to mark the start of Women's History Month. Foster invited students, faculty and staff to read brief prose or poetry passages honoring a woman, famous or not, who had made an important contribution to their lives. Some, such as Martin Chislom, professor of speech, read an original work - "Black African Women Have Their Own Spirit." Some participants, such as retired UWP faculty member Marilyn Gottschalk, read other poets' tributes, such as her selection from Alicia Ostriker about Eleanor Roosevelt. Laura Wendorff, professor of English, spoke of how the "unbought and unbossed" Shirley Chisholm had a critical impact on the 14-year old Wendorff, while UWP student Annie Malischke read her original work explaining her evolution into understanding about the importance of self-acceptance. One participant spoke about the role her mother played in her and her four siblings' lives, allowing them to make their own decisions and mistakes. Foster said she was pleased with the turnout and the reaction of the audience. "I found the selections thoroughly enjoyable and it seemed as if everyone was listening very attentively. The readings were quite varied, some dramatic and emotional, some reflective, sometimes humorous, and always touching. I'm very pleased with our first attempt to celebrate our 'sheores,' " she said.

Women's History Month was established by Congress in 1987 after the National Women's History Project (NWHP) lobbied for the recognition. Since that time the NWHP has led the way to establish recognition projects and forums to celebrate the accomplishments of women. In a press release earlier this month, the NWHP elaborated its theme for 2006 which is "Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams." "The purpose of women's history is not to idealize women. On the contrary, the stories of women's achievements present an expanded view of the complexity and contradiction of living a full and purposeful life._ "Learning about the extraordinary achievements of women helps diminish the tendency to dismiss and trivialize who women are and what they accomplish. In celebrating women's historic achievements, we present an authentic view of history. The knowledge of women's history provides a more expansive vision of what a woman can do. This perspective can encourage girls and women to think larger and bolder and can give boys and men a fuller understanding of the female experience," explained the NWHP. Foster is planning a follow-up to the sheroes presentation, tentatively scheduled for March 31. Anyone interested in attending, either as a speaker or audience member, may contact Foster at (608) 342-1453.

Contact: Patricia Foster, director, Patrica A. Doyle Women's Center, (608) 342-1453,fosterp@uwplatt.edu

Prepared By; Evelyn Martens, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194,martense@uwplatt.edu