6 scholars set to discuss body image at UMaine’s Women’s Week

ORONO – Six leading scholars on girls’ psychological development, health and education will gather at the University of Maine for a conference, “Girls Will Be Girls? Aggression, Sexuality and Body Image,” 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Maine Center for the Arts.

The conference will address issues such as aggression, sexuality, dressing provocatively, bullying, living dangerously and fighting.

Forms are available at www.wrc.umaine.edu, or by calling the Women’s Resource Center at 581-1508. The registration fee for the conference is $35 and $8 for students. Those who cannot afford the fee may contact the Women’s Resource Center for information about assistance.

The conference takes place during Women’s Week, Oct. 1-8, which features lectures, a health fair, a road race, and comedian Lily Tomlin at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, at the MCA.

The conference is part of the Women’s Resource Center’s ongoing Girlfighting Project. The project brought Lyn Mikel Brown, an associate professor of women’s studies, education and human development at Colby College, to UMaine as a 2000-2001 scholar-in-residence. Brown is among the conference presenters.

“Together, we’ll discuss ways to create safe spaces for girls to critique media images and myths, to work toward solidarity with other girls and to live healthier lives,” said Sharon Barker, director of UMaine’s Women’s Resource Center.

Other scholars who will participate are:

. Sharon Lamb, a clinical and developmental psychologist and professor of psychology at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont.

. Mary Madden, an assistant research professor at UMaine.

. Deborah Tolman, director of the Gender and Sexuality Project at the Center for Research on Women at Wellesley College in Massachusetts.

. Janie Victoria Ward, an associate professor of education and human services at Simmons College in Boston.

. Catherine Steiner-Adair, director of education, prevention and outreach at the Harvard Eating Disorders Center.

The conference schedule is:

. 8-9 a.m. – Registration in the Maine Center for the Arts lobby.

. 9 a.m. – Welcome, Sharon Barker, director of UMaine’s Women’s Resource Center.

. 9:15 a.m. – Girls Voices by the Diversity Coalition.

. 10 a.m. – Presentation by Lyn Mikel Brown, Deborah Tolman and Janie Ward.

. 11:30 a.m. – Lunch (may be purchased in the Memorial Union), networking, exhibits, discussion and videos.

. 12:45-1:15 p.m. – Book signing.

. 1:15 p.m. – Presentation by Mary Madden, Sharon Lamb and Catherine Steiner-Adair.

. 3-4:30 p.m. Question and answer sessions with presenters.