Wonder Woman: A New Kind of Leader

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Wonder Woman: A New Kind of Leader

The Center for the Study of Religious Freedom announces diverse calendar of events

News Release | August 29, 2018

The Center for the Study of Religious Freedom (CSRF) at 91风月楼 has released its fall 2018 publication of “,” announcing a diverse calendar of events for the fall semester. The publication supports CSRF’s vision of informing, transforming, and equipping individuals to be engaged leaders and citizens, as they increasingly understand why religious freedom is a basic human right of daily significance.

Programming and partnerships for fall 2018 include a focus on women as agents of change. As such, Wonder Woman, a harbinger of a different kind of leader, visionary, and change agent, provides an apt symbol for this semester’s events. In the “Wonder Woman" series, case studies highlight how certain expectations have shaped women’s identities and the ways in which women have chosen creatively to respond.

On September 27, VWU Associate Professor of Political Science and Gender and Women’s Studies Leslie Caughell introduces the realities of women running for political office in 2018 in a presentation entitled, “SEE JANE RUN: Liberals and Conservatives Running for Office in 2018’s Year of the Woman.”
On October 4, Amy Milligan, Batten Endowed Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies and Women’s Studies at Old Dominion University, presents “On Her Flesh: Queer Jewish Women and Pride Tatoos.”
On November 1, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at Morningside College Elizabeth Coody will be on campus to present “Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, and Mary Magdalene: Origin Stories that Shape Women’s Power” and “Imagining the Scandal of the Cross through Comics and Graphic Novels.

In the series Reforming Virginia and America: Women as Agents of Change, three speakers address the University community. These programs are offered in conjunction with and commemorate the 400th anniversary of key historical events in Virginia in 1619.

On September 20, in a Constitution Day event, VWU Provost and Vice President Timothy O’Rourke presents “Singing a Freedom Song: Voting Rights in a Minor.”
The Justine L. Nusbaum Lecture, on October 25, will be delivered by Charles Marsh, Commonwealth Professor of Religious Studies and Director of the Project on Lived Theology at the University of Virginia. His topic, “The American Civil Rights Movement and the Women Who Started It,” provides insight into the religious beliefs behind the American civil rights movement, and highlights women who enacted these convictions.
Mayor of the City of Norfolk, Kenny Alexander, will present “The Norfolk Seamstress who said ‘No’: The Political Legacy of Evelyn T. Butts,” on November 8.

This semester’s Nexus Interfaith Dialogue focuses on faith perspectives on gender roles and gender identity. "Gender Roles and Religion" will be offered on October 8 and "Trans Identity and Religious Faith" is scheduled for November 12.

The 13^th Annual One Love Festival is planned for October 27, with a Town Hall Discussion on Immigration Policies, Arthur Lopez’ largest drum circle in the world, and a presentation by Dominican Sisters Ardeth Platte and Carol Gilbert,“Catholic Nuns Beating Nuclear Swords into Plowshares.”

These and other events planned for fall 2018 support the mission and vision of the Center which is grounded in 91风月楼’s commitment to a rigorous liberal arts education and its United Methodist heritage. Through its program initiatives, the Center seeks not only to educate minds, but also to touch hearts, strengthening individuals to be agents of change and transforming communities.

The Center does not advocate any particular political or religious perspective, but does stand for principles of dialogue, liberty and engaged citizenship.

View details and the full listing of events on the .