As Women’s History Month comes to a close, the NIU Women’s Studies Program and the Graduate Colloquium Committee will sponsor Nancy Naples, who will speak about women’s issues at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. today.

In her first informal workshop, “Feminist Activism in the Classroom,” Naples, a professor of sociology and women’s studies at the University of Connecticut, will discuss teaching strategies, techniques and exercises to incorporate feminist activism into the classroom, said Jolene Skinner, program coordinator for the NIU Women’s Studies Program. This workshop will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Reavis Hall, Room 211.

At 7 p.m. at the Art Building, Room 103, Naples will highlight the challenges of transnational women’s movements in a discussion titled, “The Politics of Location: Women’s Activism and Globalization.” She also will examine strategies used by women in different parts of the world. In this formal discussion, Naples will cover the impact women and globalization have on women’s movements, Skinner said.

Science and sociology students are advised to attend Naples’ speech and workshop, Skinner said. However, the events are not limited to these majors. Students interested in activism and women’s issues also should attend, she said.

“It’s always great to hear something from someone else’s perspective,” Skinner said.

Since 1986, the NIU Women’s Studies Program has sponsored numerous events during NIU’s annual celebration of Women’s History Month in March, Skinner said. Each year, a different theme is chosen. This year’s theme is women’s movements, and last year the focus was on women’s volunteerism.

The annual events usually include speakers, films, concerts, artistic performances, art exhibits, an essay contest and the newly popular play, “The Vagina Monologues.”

By sponsoring these events, the NIU Women’s Studies Program hopes to draw special attention to women’s issues, Skinner said. She said it’s important to emphasize that women’s issues still exist in today’s society and aren’t just historical issues.

Each discussion is free, open to the public and will last about an hour. Previous women’s issues speakers at NIU have been known for their quality research on the topic, Skinner said.

Upcoming events

Who: Glenda Smith, NIU’s department of kinesiology

What: Yoga

When: Noon to 1 p.m. Monday

Where: Anderson Hall, Room 137

Sponsor: Department of kinesiology’s FIT Program and NIU’s Women’s Studies Program

Who: Street activist group Pink Bloque of Chicago

What: “Pink Bloque: Dancing in Dissent”

When: 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Holmes Student Center’s Diversions Lounge

Sponsor: Unity in Diversity, Women’s Alliance, NIU’s Women’s Studies Program and the Student Association

What: “Vagina Seminar: Re-imaging Women’s Bodies”

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday

Where: DuSable Hall, Room 204

Sponsor: Women’s Alliance and the SA

Source: The NIU Women’s Studies Program calender of events (www.clas.niu.edu/wstudies/whm04.schedule.rtf)