Evolving World of Women and Women’s Causes
- When
- Event has passed (Fri Jul 30, 2010 - Tue Aug 31, 2010)
- Tags
- Literary Arts, Other Organizations, Organizations
Description
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, a driving force in the field of mental health, will headline the Commonwealth Club August Series “The Ascent of Women.” Congresswoman Jackie Speier and Jan Yanehiro will ask the question, “What is a woman worth?” and examine the power of women’s’ voices and actions. These women will be joined by a score of other speakers to investigate the evolving status of women in this month long inquiry. We're a world away from the lives women led in 1900. Or are we? What is the evidence for greater equality, achievement, and recognition of female leadership? How best can support be offered to those women whose lives are still mired in ignorance, discrimination, and abuse? What effects do changes in women’s status have on the men of their culture? Such questions are at the heart of the “The Ascent of Women.”The Club will welcome women of extraordinary achievement in civil rights, technology, science and adventure. In addition, it will host women from Saudi Arabia, Congo, Afghanistan, Israel and Somalia who will their share stories of courage, and describe how they were able to overcome obstacles of poverty, persecution and political turmoil. Through a host of speakers, panels, films, and exhibits, attendees will ponder the societal transformations – both breakthroughs and the disappointments - that today shape the lives of women around the world.
"In my role as a woman executive, I am keenly aware of the debt owed to pioneering women who fought with passion and in the face of great adversity for greater opportunities for women. These events and the conversations they will surely spark, will offer a unique chance to take stock of our successes, as well as, examine the challenges remaining to be surmounted,” said Dr. Gloria Duffy, President and CEO of The Commonwealth Club.
The series organizer, Dr. Carol Fleming, observed, “The ongoing evolution of women’s social and political status makes its effects felt in different ways according to factors of culture and otherwise, creating tensions and benefits that need to be better understood. We are so grateful to the many women who have stepped forth to help us tell this story. In this way, we will learn of the achievements of those women who are anchored by human bonds that even terror cannot touch.”
On August 13th First Lady Rosalynn Carter will offer her assessment of the state of mental health, as well as a roadmap for its future. She will address the problems facing the current mental health system and offer what she sees as solutions. While scientific breakthroughs have been made, Carter argues that the stigma against the mentally ill is as debilitating as the illness.
A tireless advocate, Carter has been devoted to the prevention and treatment of mental illness since 1970, when her husband was elected governor of Georgia. Since then, she has led The Carter Center's Mental Health Task Force—a group of experts who promote positive change in the mental health field. In addition, the Rosalynn Carter Fellowship provides funding for journalists writing about mental illnesses.
Each year, Carter hosts the Rosalynn Carter Symposium on Mental Health Policy, bringing together leaders of the nation's mental health organizations to address critical issues. During her husband’s administration, she became active honorary chair of the President's Commission on Mental Health, which resulted in passage of the Mental Health Systems Act of 1980.
During their time in the White House, (Jan. 20, 1977, to Jan. 20, 1981) President Carter consulted with her constantly and sought her advice on both domestic and foreign affairs. Married to Jimmy at the age of 18, Rosalynn was always politically active, often campaigning on her husband’s behalf. She attended Georgia Southwestern College, close to her birthplace of Plains, Georgia.
On Friday, July 30th, Mellody Hobson, ABC TV News financial expert, and President of Ariel Investments, will discuss the barriers that confront women in the financial world with a panel of elite women professional money managers. Luz Padilla heads the Emerging Markets Fixed Income Group at DoubleLine Capital, a Los Angeles-based bond management firm, and is Senior Portfolio Manager of emerging markets portfolios at the firm, including the DoubleLine Emerging Markets Fixed Income Fund. Ivka Kalus-Bysticky is Portfolio Manager at The Pax World International Fund. Mary Ellen Stanek is Managing Director and Chief Investment Officer of Robert W. Baird & Co. Serving as moderator will be Cathy Curtis, Investment Advisor at Curtis Financial Planning. Together these women will share stories of their breakthrough successes in this male-dominated field, and tell us how more women can join the small but distinguished ranks of female portfolio managers, analysts and traders.
Other programs feature women from an impressive, wide range of fields – scientists, musicians, and farmers, from as far away as the Republic of the Congo and Afghanistan. Key participants are renowned violinist Midori, transatlantic rower Roz Savage, Nobel Prize winner Dr. Elizabeth Blackburn, and Congresswoman Jackie Speier. The series is being generously underwritten by Gold Sponsor Wells Fargo & Co. and Silver Sponsor Ernst & Young.
*See website for detailed schedule, tickets and more information.
Comments