Serving & Shaping Speaker Series

The Serving and Shaping Her World Speakers Series addresses issues from global, women’s, artistic, ethical, health and scientific perspectives.

We ask students to consider what broadening their perspectives will bring to their lives as girls and citizens of the world.

The theme for 2011-2012 is “Community.” 

Speakers

September 21
Community as a Cooperative Relationship: Eric Schlosser

Every girl and faculty/staff member read Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser over the summer and, thanks to the continued generosity of Lisa Allen LeFort ’72 and Robert LeFort, we can bring this great author and visionary to campus.

An investigative journalist, best-selling author and co-producer of the award-winning documentary Food, Inc., Schlosser spotlights unsavory practices entrenched in the food industry.  Schlosser believes that by focusing on the problems and solutions we can make personal choices that benefit ourselves and our community. He will center his presentation on community as a cooperative relationship. 

October 5 
Our Global Girls' Community: AUDACIA with Dr. Donna Blackwell

Donna Blackwell, executive director of AUDACIA, will capture the energy, dialogue and outcomes of the September 26-27 conference in New York City.

October 25
Community as a Source of Strength and Resilience: Guerda Harris ’68

Guerda Harris ’68 plans to tell her first-hand account of life during the Papa Doc Duvalier regime in Haiti. Her journey from Haiti to Emma Willard reveals her personal strength as well as the strength of community. 

January 24
Community Influences and Personal Choice: Marion Nestle

Marion Nestle, Ph.D., is a consumer advocate, writer, professor and activist.  She is the author of multiple books, including Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health and What to Eat. Nestle examines social influences on food as well as personal and social responsibility. Nestle blogs extensively on these subjects at www.foodpolitics.com.

February 22
Community History in Celebration of Emma Hart Willard’s Birthday

Trudy Hanmer, associate head emerita, will deliver a presentation on Emma Hart Willard’s role in changing education for women. As the author of an upcoming book about the history of Emma Willard School, Hanmer will draw on her extensive research to bring the past 197 years of the Emma Willard community to life.

March 20
Being an Activist in Your Community: Courtney E. Martin

Courtney E. Martin, a speaker at the 2010 TED Women’s Conference in Washington, D.C., is a highly acclaimed activist, writer and teacher.  Martin is the author of several books, including Do It Anyway: The New Generation of Activists, and is the editor of feministing.com. Martin will talk about the power and importance of being a catalyst for change in one’s community.  

May 2 
A Community of Student Achievement

The spotlight will be on Emma girls and their achievements in arts, academics, athletics, dance and music.