13-20
march
2006

lecture will focus on defining muslim-american identity

On Wednesday, March 15, at 7:30 pm, Edina Lekovic, left, communications director of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), will present a lecture, “Defining the Muslim American Identity Post 9/11.” She will discuss the situation of a minority community in its nascent stages of development in America and the role of young Muslim-American women at this critical time in U.S. history.

Since joining MPAC, Lekovic has spoken on behalf of the Muslim-American community to media outlets, government officials, interfaith leaders, academic institutions and community groups. She has appeared on CNN, BBC and the History Channel, and her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Times, Associated Press, Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times. In 2004, she represented MPAC at a United Nations seminar, “Confronting Islamophobia.” In 2003, she was invited by the Malaysian government to be one of two U.S. representatives to the International Conference of Muslim Young Leaders, which served as a precursor to the annual conference of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

“Lekovic is a strong Muslim woman in the public eye,” said Farah Hussain ’06, chair of Al-Muslimat’s annual spring Women in Islam series, sponsor of the event. “Given the controversial treatment of Muslim women in some Muslim societies, and the dearth of Muslim-American women who are public personalities, Lekovic will offer the Wellesley campus a new perspective on Muslim integration and leadership in the United States.” Last summer Hussain worked for the Muslim Public Affairs Council through the Wellesley-in-Washington Internship Program, where she developed the idea for this event.

“After the London bombings on 7/7, I co-founded the Muslim American Project, a national effort to empower Muslim college students in their identity, religion and civic involvement,” Hussain said. “This lecture addresses the need to define our identity in this country. It’s a discussion that desperately needs to happen.” For more information, e-mail fhussain@wellesley.edu

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first woman surgeon general to speak at wellesley

Dr. Antonia Novello, right, the first woman surgeon general of the United States, will present the keynote address, “Women Making a Difference,” for the Hippocratic Society’s First Celebration of Women in Medicine and Public Health Monday, March 13, at 4:30 pm in the Wang Center’s Tishman Commons.

“As a student following the pre-medicine track, I am really interested in what Dr. Novello has to say about medicine and how she achieved everything she has,” said Jean Yao ’09. “This event is not only for pre-med students, however. Dr. Novello is not only the first woman, but the first Latina, to be appointed surgeon general.”

Dr. Novello has a distinguished career in public service, having served at the National Institutes of Health and UNICEF, the United Nations’ children’s heath organization. A pediatrician and native of Puerto Rico, she was appointed in 1990 by President George Bush to be U.S. surgeon general, the highest ranking doctor in the U.S. government. She earned special recognition for her campaigns to address the health problems of America’s young people, whom she called “a generation at risk.” Since 1999 she has served as commissioner of health for the State of New York.

The celebration, planned to be an annual event, honors women who have made significant contributions in the medical or public health sector and provides a networking opportunity. Diversity and admissions officers from national medical and public health schools will attend and take part in a panel discussion. A dessert reception is included. For more information, contact jyau@wellesley.edu.

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retirement income options

TIAA-CREF will present a financial education seminar for Wellesley College employees, "Your Retirement Income Options,” Wednesday, March 15, from 12:30-1:30 pm in the Wang Center 413.

Financial experts will talk about developing a sound financial strategy for retirement. Planning ahead can make a big difference, they say, and now is the time to get answers to important questions. In addition, one-on-one counseling is available by reservation from 9 am-4 pm in Human Resources, Green Hall. For more information, call x2212.

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recent alumna talks about her travel to israel

Rachel Isaacs ’05, left, will return to campus on Tuesday, March 14, to deliver a lecture, “Engaging the Disengagement: An American’s Reflection on a Nation Divided,” at 4:30 pm in Collins Cinema.
Isaacs will offer a multimedia presentation about her experiences in Israel during the disengagement from the Gaza strip last summer.

"In particular, I will focus on the ways in which this event signaled not only a withdrawal from Gaza, but also the disengagement of religious Zionists and Israel’s secular population from one another,” she said. “I will explore this internal tension through the lens of Jewish text and against the backdrop of the 10-year anniversary of Yitzak Rabin’s assassination.”

Isaacs will also comment on how she thinks the disengagement has and has not defined the contours of the debate over the future of Zionism, and the evolution of Israeli culture. A religion major at Wellesley, she was chosen as the 2005 student commencement speaker. Named to Phi Beta Kappa, she received the Jacqueline Kreiger Klein Fellowship for Jewish Studies. Co-President of Wellesley College Hillel, she is a founding member of Wellesley Friends of Israel.

The event is sponsored by Jewish Studies. For more information, call x2605.

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youth debate programs can boost democratic ideals

The Wellesley Centers for Women (WCW) lunchtime seminar on Thursday, March 16, from 12:30-1:30 pm, “Youth Urban Debate Teams: Democracy in Action,” will be presented by research scientist Gloria Hall. It takes place in Cheever House, 828 Washington St.

Hall, who joined the National Institute of Out of School Time (NIOST) at the WCW in 2002, will discuss how young people experience the democratic ideals and skills that form the foundation of a debate program, and in what ways those experiences influence their participation in democracy. For more information, call x2483.
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nolden explores jewish writing in france

Thomas Nolden, German, has published a new book, In Lieu of Memory: Contemporary Jewish Writing in France (Syracuse University Press). The book provides a comprehensive study of French Jewish authors born after the Shoah and traces the development of the rich agenda of Jewish writing in France from the 1970s to the present.

Nolden’s study presents concise readings of the fictional work of more than two dozen writers of both Sephardic and Ashkenazi background living in France. It offers a critical analysis of the major themes, concerns and stylistic features of their works and discusses how contemporary Jewish writing responded historically, culturally, politically and aesthetically to developments in French society and Jewish culture.

The book places this body of writing in the context of France’s Jewish communities as they have been shaped by complex demographic, religious and cultural shifts and in the context of France at large. It discusses the relationship of Jewish writing in France to the traditions of Jewish writing both in Israel and in the diaspora. Nolden is director of Wellesley’s comparative literature program and is currently editing a volume on Jewish writing in Europe for Indiana University Press.

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don't miss: wellesley senior will tell stories of early america

“Forging a National Identity: The Stories that Made America,” by Christiana Molldrem ’06, will offer an interpretation of American tales such as those about George Washington and the cherry tree, Pocahontas and other early Americans.

"All stories come from the early years of the country and helped to give America a national culture,” Molldrem said. The stories will be told over three evenings: Sunday, March 12, at 6 pm in Shakespeare House; Tuesday, March 14, at 8 pm in Stone Davis Living Room, and Wednesday, March 15, at 8 pm in Wang Center 212.

Molldrem, left, is presenting this one-woman show as her senior thesis. “I’m covering stories from the early years of the country, about 1770 to the 1830s,” she explained. “I’ve collected these stories because they are the plots and characters from many of the first American plays. It’s open to everyone, and it should be a lovely evening of stories by the fireplace, complete with some colonial-inspired refreshments.” The event is sponsored by Theatre Studies. For more information, e-mail cmolldre@wellesley.edu.

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colleagues in the news

joel krieger, political science, was a guest on the “Breakfast Club,” a live news radio program show originating in Kingston, Jamaica. He discussed recent developments in Iraq, the impasse over Iran’s nuclear program and the effects of American foreign policy on democratic consolidation in the region.

melinda lopez, theatre, has had her play Sonia Flew included in the roster for next season at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre, one of the most prestigious theatres in America. Lopez’s play is part of Steppenwolf’s 31st season that also includes a production of Betrayal by the illustrious playwright Harold Pinter.

eloise mcgaw, kathy stewart, carolyn slaboden and kathi krajewski, human resources, were invited to make a presentation at the national Human Resources Conference for Colleges and Universities in Minneapolis on the program “Valuing Work at Wellesley.” Conference organizers noted, “This well-regarded program is called Valuing Work @ Wellesley because the program has been designed to articulate, support and reinforce the value of work in Wellesley.”

diana chapman walsh, president, was part of a delegation of leaders who traveled to Louisiana through “Hinges of Hope,” which makes connections between leaders in the public and private sector and charitable organizations supporting the rebuilding of New Orleans and environs. The group also works to help impoverished neighborhoods.

deborah weaver, Girls’ LEAP director, has been honored by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women as an Unsung Heroine of 2006. The award recognizes women who make their communities a better place to live. The MCSW plans to publish a booklet featuring all of the 2006 winners.

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calendar

monday march 13

japanese table. 12:30-1:20 pm, Tower Court. Info: x7922.

lecture. “Women Making a Difference.” Speaker: Antonia Novello, N.Y. commissioner of health. 4:30 pm, Wang Center, Tishman Commons. Sponsor: Hippocratic Society. (See story.) Info: x7101.

meeting. College Government Senate. 6 pm, Academic Council Room. Info: cgpresident@wellesley.edu.

info meeting. “Majoring in Latin American Studies.” 6-7 pm, PNE 225A. Sponsor: Political Science. Info: x2202.

esl tutoring. 6-8 pm, PLTC small conference room. Info: x2480.

meditation. 7-8:15 pm, lower chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Info: x2793.

german table. 8-9 pm, Stone. Info: x1685.
bahá’í gathering. 8:30 pm, Freeman. Info: x4188.

tuesday march 14

purim. Jewish tradition. Begins at sundown.

administrative council meeting. 11 am-noon, Academic Council Room.

cws workshop. “Finding a Summer Internship.” 12:30 pm, PNW 212. Info: x2352.

lecture. “Engaging the Disengagement: An American’s Reflection on a Divided Israel.” Speaker: Rachel Isaacs ’05. 4:30 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: Jewish Studies. (See story.) Info: x1131.

lecture. “Bacterial Activation of Airway Inflammation.” Speaker: Alice Prince ’71, pediatrics, Columbia University Medical Center. 4:30-5:30 pm, SCI 278. Sponsor: Biological Sciences. Info: x3153.

wellness class. “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.” 7-8:30 pm, Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Buddhist Community. Preregister: x2793.

lecture/discussion. “Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project.” Speakers: Carlos Sonnenschein, anatomy and cellular biology, and Ana Soto, cell biology, Tufts School of Medicine. 7-9 pm, PNW 212. Sponsor: Environmental Studies. Info: x2683.

storytelling hour. “Forging a National Identity: Stories That Made America.” Speaker: Christiana Molldrem ’06. 8 pm, Stone Davis. Sponsor: Theatre. (See story.) Info: x7562.



wednesday march 15

holi. Hindu tradition.

cws workshop. “Finding a Summer Internship.” 12:30 pm, PNE 239. Info: x2352.

seminar. “Computer Science Senior Seminar.” Speakers: Karin To ’06 and Caroline Chou ’06. 12:30 pm, SCI 111. Sponsor: Computer Science. Info: x3147.

president’s open office hour. 12:30-1:30 pm, GRH 350. Info: x2243.

russian table. 12:30-1:30 pm, FND 416. Info: x3549.

spanish table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Tower. Info: x3571.

workshop. “Your Retirement Income Options.” 12:30-1:30 pm, Wang Center 413. WC employees only. Sponsor: HR. (See story.) Info: x2215.

training. “Girls’ LEAP Self-Defense Teaching Woman.” 12:30-2 pm, Shafer. Weekly through 4/12. Info: x4658.

lacrosse vs. Tufts. 4 pm. Info: x2003.

colloquium. “Vox Feminae.” 4-5:30 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Sponsor: Music. Info: x2977.

lecture. “From Engagement to Disengagement: Israel’s Quest for Security and Stability.” Speaker: Michael Oren, Israeli historian. 4:30 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: Hillel. Info: x1203.

unitarian universalist worship. 6 pm, lower chapel. Info: x3484.

film. Election. Director: Johnnie To. 7-9 pm, Collins Cinema. Sponsor: DMCC. Info: x2051.

concert. Chamber Music Society. 7:30 pm, Jewett Auditorium. Sponsor: Music. Info: x2028.

lecture. “Defining the Muslim American Identity Post 9/11.” Speaker: Edina Lekovic, Muslim Public Affairs Council. 7:30 pm, PNE 225A. Sponsor: Al-Muslimat. (See story.) Info: Al-Muslimatmail@wellesley.edu.

storytelling hour. “Forging a National Identity: Stories That Made America.” 8 pm, Wang Center 212. (See 3/14 listing.)



thursday march 16

arabic table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Tower Court. Info: x2916.

chinese table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Tower Court. Info: CSAmail@wellesley.edu.

french table. 12:30-1:30 pm, Bates. Info: x2403.

wcw seminar. “Youth Urban Debate Teams: Democracy in Action.” Speaker: Gloria Hall, research scientist. 12:30-1:30 pm, Cheever House. (See story.) Info: x2500.

italian table. 5:30-6:45 pm, Tower. Info: x2616.

esl tutoring. (See 3/13 listing.)

worship service. 7 pm, lower chapel. Sponsor: Protestant Christian Chaplaincy. Info: x2655.

meeting. Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. 7-9 pm, Wang Center Multipurpose Room 2. Info: wivcfmail@wellesley.edu.

theatre. Under Milk Wood. Director: Nora Hussey. 7 pm, Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre, Alumnae Hall. Wellesley/MIT students with ID: $5; staff/other students/seniors: $10; others: $20. Info: x2000.


friday march 17

st. patrick’s day.

spring vacation. Begins after last class.

prayer/discussion. Muslim communal (Jummah). 12:30-2:30 pm, lower chapel. Info: x2656.

shabbat service. 5:30-6:30 pm, BIL 300. Info: x2685.

bible study. 7 pm, Wang Center 413. Sponsor: Asian Baptist Student Koinonia. Info: x1831.
theatre. Under Milk Wood. 8 pm. (See 3/16 listing.)


saturday march 18

theatre. Under Milk Wood. 4 pm and 8 pm. (See 3/16 listing.)
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sunday march 19

worship service. 11:15 am, Houghton Chapel. Sponsor: Protestant CC. Info: x2685.

theatre. Under Milk Wood. 2 pm. (See 3/16 listing.)

meeting. Darshana. 5 pm, lower chapel. Sponsor: Hindu Community. Info: x2794.

monday march 20

no events.

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ongoing

exhibit. Remembering Wellesley’s Black Past, through 3/31. Clapp Library Archives. Info: x2127.

exhibit. Wellesley Greenhouse Panoramas, through 4/13. Botanic Gardens Visitor Center. Info: x3504.

exhibit. Exploring Elbert: Giving Voice to African American History, through 4/14. Clapp Library Special Collections. Info: x2129.

exhibits. On the Edge: Contemporary Chinese Artists Encounter the West, through 5/24; Any Opinions?, through 6/3. DMCC. Info: x2051.

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