Focus on feminism

The Portland State Feminisms Conference, a free event, will be held this Friday night and all day Saturday to focus on issues of feminism through critical discussion, workshops and panel discussions.

Friday night, keynote speaker Inga Muscio, author of “Cunt: A Declaration of Independence,” will be speaking at 7 p.m. in Smith 327. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Friday night is free with PSU student ID or $12 general admission. Muscio is a well-known local author whose books have had a large impact in many feminist circles. Saturday is free for all starting at 8 a.m. and going until 6 p.m. All events are on the first floor of the Smith building.

At 9 a.m., after coffee, tea and bagels, the day begins with the “Illumination Project” from PCC Sylvania, an interactive theater workshop encourages the audience to jump up and participate in the skits about activism and critical thinking. They focus on current topics involving people of color, women, working class people, immigrants and sexual minorities.

The day continues with a variety of workshops including “Women and Media” presented by Amanda Byron, “Native American Oral Tradition” led by Judy Bluehorse Skeleton, “Put the Fun Back in Sex” instructed by It’s My Pleasure (a women-friendly adult store on Northeast Sandy Boulevard) and a reading by local poet Turiya Autry of Good Sista/Bad Sista. Many other workshops and panel discussions will be offered throughout the day.

Lunch will be catered by Old Wives’ Tales, with $5 vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free meals available.

The conference has been made possible by the Women’s Resource Center, the President’s Committee on the Status of Women and the PSU English, history and women’s studies departments. For more information, please contact the PSU Women’s Resource Center by phone 503-725-5672, e-mail [email protected] or visit their web site at www.wrc.pdx.edu.