I feel like I am riding the hurricane. This is a time of numerous Women’s Studies activities, and they have been terrific so far. A number of you have made wonderful presentations for Senior Seminar. Thanks to past speakers and, in advance, to those who will address us in the future. The video series has had fantastic faculty and student support. Thanks to Eva Szalay and Wangari wa Nyatetu-Waigwa for bringing classes to ‘Killing Us Softly 3’ and to the FUN people - Heather, Jason, Cassi and Mike - for leading that discussion. Diane Krantz and Maria Parrilla de Kokal did an excellent job guiding comments for ‘The Way Home’ on February 28 and March 7. We look forward to seeing ‘Stories of Change’ on Apr. 4 (in UB338 at noon). Alicia Giralt will facilitate.

Most March "big events" involve Women’s History Month, including the opening social on Friday, March 2; FUN’s Feminist Pursuit on Tuesday, March 6; and the International Women’s March on Thursday, March 8. Other attractions include poet Emma Lou Thayne on March 21 and a FUN Poetry Slam on March 27. This is not a traditional poetry slam; "there are no prizes and the work does not need to be your own. It is a tribute to women" through personal writing, other work by women writers, or work about women. I’ve been looking through When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple, edited by Sandra Martz, and thinking about some of the elder women who have impacted my life and to whom I would like to pay tribute. Why don’t you plan to attend [7:00 PM in the UB Lair (across from the bowling alley)], read a work in honor of some special woman in your life, and enjoy some refreshments.

I hope you have been able to peruse the wonderful array of classes being offered Fall Semester. In addition to Intro. to Women’s Studies (Brenda Marsteller-Kowalewski & Thom Kuehls) and Research Methodologies (Eva Szalay), Becky Johns and I will teach Women and the LDS Church. Cross_listed classes taught by Nancy Haanstad, Kathy Herndon, Wangari wa Nyatetu_Waigwa, and Maria Parrilla de Kokal are joined for the first time by Roy Van Orman’s ‘Ethnicity and Older Women in American Society.’ Encourage students to take these classes (or take one yourself).

Supplement our Women’s History Month celebrations with University of Utah activities which include:

- Pop_ethnic folksinger/song writer Tish Hinolosa, Mar. 5, 7 PM, Kingsbury Hall (admission free but ticket required.)

- Wilma Mankiller, Keynote Address, Mar. 6, 7:30 PM in the Saltair Room of the Olpin Union Building. She is the former principal chief of the Cherokee nation, author of Mankiller: A Chief and Her People, and a witty speaker and storyteller.

- Angela Davis, Keynote Address, Mar. 8, Noon, Gould Auditorium, Marriott Library. A well_known scholar and activist (once on the FBI’s most wanted list), she is now a Philosophy Department faculty member at UCLA.

- Photography exhibit "Activists" featuring Utah women who have been catalysts for change, Feb. 26 – Mar 23, Union Gallery (Opening Reception, Mar. 7, 4 – 6 PM.)

It is our pleasure this month to tell you a little bit about Dr. Huiying Wei-Arthus, who is team-teaching (with Marjukka Ollilainen) "Women, Work and Organizations" this semester. Huiying came to Weber State in 1995 as a faculty member in the Sociology Department, where she is currently an Associate Professor. She holds a BA in English and Literature from Sichuan University in her native China, MA’s in Linguistics and Sociology and a PhD in Sociology from SUNY-Stony Brook. Prior to her position here, she taught at the State University of New York (Stony Brook) and Long Island University, as well as Sichuan International Studies University. She has received teaching awards at SUNY-Stony Brook and Sichaun University.

Huiying’s research focuses on sociopolitical issues in China, both present-day and during the Cultural Revolution – a chaotic time which she experienced first hand and during which she lost her father. She moved to the US to pursue her advanced degrees. She has published and presented papers on her research as well as having received WSU grants to gather data in China. She has taken students to China as Director of the China/Hong Kong Study Abroad Program and has served as chair of the former Asian Studies Alliance, as well as serving on the International Activity Advisory Committee. She is a reviewer for "Sociological Forum" and maintains membership in a host of professional organizations.

Now a US citizen, Huiying has lived in Utah more than five years and has "a very lovely daughter, who is nine." They share their home with "a little male dog, two cats and a whole tank of fish." When she is not engaged in professional activities, she loves to travel, read, listen to classical music and take in a movie. She also likes to spend spare time gardening or engaging in sports-related activity.

We appreciate Huiying’s contribution to the Women’s Studies Program and we hope to continue a long and mutually-enjoyable relationship.

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Additional upcoming activities of note include the presentation of "Little Shop of Horrors" – directed by Tracy Callahan – March 2, 3 and 5, and 7 – 10 at 7:30 PM in the Allred Theater. Also, Services for Women Students is sponsoring "Talented Women of Weber" - a display of artwork and handicraft by staff, faculty and students - from 6 - 9 March. View displays in the walkway between Student Services and the Union Building during daylight hours.

2 Mar. – Opening Social, Women’s History Month, Diversity Ctr., 10:30 AM.

6 Mar. – Feminist Pursuit game, The Lair, Union Building, 5 PM.

7 Mar. – Video Series, "The Way Home" -Pt. 2, UB 338, noon.

8 Mar. – International Women’s March, 12:30 PM, call the office for details.

12 – 16 Mar. – Spring Break

21 Mar. – Poet Emma Lou Thayne, Library Special Collections, 1 PM.

22 Mar. – Executive Council Meeting, SS113, 2:30 PM

27 Mar. – Poetry Slam, UB Lair, 7 PM.

29 – 31 Mar. – Orchesis Spring Concert, 7:30 PM, Browning Center.