Prose/Poetry reading offers outlet of expression
By Ashley Rice
Rocket Assistant Focus Editor
Issue date: 12/5/08 Section: Focus
I am woman, hear me roar.
Women have a lot to say, and they want to be heard.
Many women had an opportunity to read a selection of writing that meant something to them to a crowd of a little over 30 people at the annual Women's Studies Prose/Poetry reading. The event was cozy with hot chocolate and cookies served.
It was organized by Dr. Jace Condravy, a professor of Women's Studies and the chairperson of the English department, and was held on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the University (Pennsylvania) Room in North Hall.
Out of the 15 women who read, there was a plethora of selections. Most were published poems, but some were self-written, and there were even poems done in sign language while being read aloud.
Cindy LaCom, an English professor, read "I Got Flowers Today," a poem by Paulette Kelly about a woman who keeps receiving flowers from her husband, but only because he had beaten her the previous day.
"I'm afraid of him and scared to leave, but I know he must be sorry, because he sent me flowers today," LaCom read.
She works at a women's shelter and said that she is surprised by the question she most often receives about the women of the shelter.
"Why does she stay with the man that does this to her?" she said, revealing the question. "I think the question is: why does a man who promised to cherish and protect her do something like that?"
Dr. Colleen Cooke, an associate professor of therapeutic recreation, read a poem called "Attention Must be Paid" by Anna Quindlen. This poem is addressed to President Elect Barack Obama after defeating Hillary Clinton in the democratic primaries.
"Congrats, Senator Obama, from one of those middle-aged white women who voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries," Cooke read. "Everyone is suggesting you'd better pay close attention to us, especially since we're used to being chronically overlooked, and we're more than a little steamed about that fact."
The poem she chose received many laughs, and nods in agreement.
Women have a lot to say, and they want to be heard.
Many women had an opportunity to read a selection of writing that meant something to them to a crowd of a little over 30 people at the annual Women's Studies Prose/Poetry reading. The event was cozy with hot chocolate and cookies served.
It was organized by Dr. Jace Condravy, a professor of Women's Studies and the chairperson of the English department, and was held on Tuesday at 4 p.m. in the University (Pennsylvania) Room in North Hall.
Out of the 15 women who read, there was a plethora of selections. Most were published poems, but some were self-written, and there were even poems done in sign language while being read aloud.
Cindy LaCom, an English professor, read "I Got Flowers Today," a poem by Paulette Kelly about a woman who keeps receiving flowers from her husband, but only because he had beaten her the previous day.
"I'm afraid of him and scared to leave, but I know he must be sorry, because he sent me flowers today," LaCom read.
She works at a women's shelter and said that she is surprised by the question she most often receives about the women of the shelter.
"Why does she stay with the man that does this to her?" she said, revealing the question. "I think the question is: why does a man who promised to cherish and protect her do something like that?"
Dr. Colleen Cooke, an associate professor of therapeutic recreation, read a poem called "Attention Must be Paid" by Anna Quindlen. This poem is addressed to President Elect Barack Obama after defeating Hillary Clinton in the democratic primaries.
"Congrats, Senator Obama, from one of those middle-aged white women who voted for Hillary Clinton in the primaries," Cooke read. "Everyone is suggesting you'd better pay close attention to us, especially since we're used to being chronically overlooked, and we're more than a little steamed about that fact."
The poem she chose received many laughs, and nods in agreement.
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