Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 17, 1994 TAG: 9403170190
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By JOANNE ANDERSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Women have a lot to be unhappy about, says Dianna Williams, coordinator for the local Women's Week.
And a major result desired from the week's events and messages is that women realize they are ``not alone in their struggle; that there are things to be happy about; and that work is being done for and by women,'' said Williams.
``Babes in the Bighouse,'' a musical fantasy about real life in a women's prison, will be presented Monday through Thursday in Virginia Tech's Performing Arts Building. The central issue of the play is power - who has it, what it does to them, how people take it and what they do with it.
Sylvia Clute, Democratic candidate from Virginia for the U.S. Senate and former Peace Corps volunteer, will be speaking on ``History of Privileged Violence.''
Mississippi native Rebecca Walker, one of the most active women in the young-feminist movement, will talk about cultural and lifestyle diversity. Other speakers will address past and present topics of interest to women.
A 5K run and one-mile walk have become annual events at Women's Week. Women and children of all ages are invited to participate, and those registering in advance will receive a T-shirt. Health care providers and merchants will have booths and health screenings at the race site. Proceeds will benefit the Women's Resource Center.
For the first time, the national network Clothesline Project will be part of the Women's Week observance. The purpose of the clothesline is to bear witness to survivors and victims of violence against women.
The shirts are designed by women survivors, their families or friends, with each shirt representing an individual woman's experience of violence. A workshop for making T-shirts will be held Monday from 3:30-5 p.m. in Squires Student Center, Room 341.
The shirts will be displayed Monday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Squires Student Center. Tuesday, they will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Squires and then at the ``Take Back the Night'' rally Tuesday at 7:30 on the Tech Drill Field.
The ``Take Back the Night'' march and rally on the drill field brings together members of the campus and community to protest violence against women and to promote awareness of attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate this violence. Speakers and musicians are featured prior to the march. Participants may bring candles, flashlights or percussion instruments.
For a complete schedule of Women's Week events, call 231-4445.
\ Highlights of Week\ \ Monday, March 21, through Thursday, March 24, 8 p.m. ``Babes in the Bighouse,'' a play about life in a women's prison. Performing Arts Building, room 204.
\ Tuesday, March 22, noon. ``History of Privileged Violence,'' by Sylvia Clute. Brush Mountain room, Squires Student Center.
\ Tuesday, March 22, 7:30 p.m. ``Take Back the Night'' march and rally. Drill Field in front of Burruss Hall.
\ Friday, March 25, 7:30 p.m. Rebecca Walker speaks on ``Third Wave Coming.'' Hancock Hall, room 100.
\ Saturday, March 26, 9 a.m.-noon. 5K run, one-mile walk and health fair. Corporate Research Center, 1800 Kraft Drive.
For a complete schedule of Women's Week events, call 231-4445.
by CNB