Feminist leader to celebrate women's sexuality

Gloria Steinem, best-known as a feminist leader and founder of Ms. magazine, will speak today at 7 p.m. at the IU Auditorium. Steinem will present the keynote address for the Kinsey Institute's series "Women's Sexualities: Portrayals and Perspectives," and share her own view on the changing face of women's sexualities over the past 50 years.\nThe series celebrates Alfred Kinsey's "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female," published 50 years ago. Tickets for the speech are free and available to students and non-students, who must pick them up either at the IU Auditorium box office or at the IMU Activities Desk.\nSteinem's speech, titled "Sex and the Feminist Revolution," will reflect her long-standing involvement in the feminist movement in the United States. Steinem is credited with popularizing the feminist movement in America and is one of the most revered figures in the feminist movement. \n"(A feminist) can be a woman or a man who believes in the full social, economic (and) political equality of women and men," Steinem said in a 1994 interview. "To say 'radical feminist' is only a way of indicating that I believe the sexual caste system is a root of race and class and other divisions."\nFor the Kinsey Institute, Steinem was a logical choice for the keynote address -- she has been labeled a pioneer in the area of feminism and treating women's sexuality with respect. \n"She has been exploring the area of women's sexuality from a female perspective, which was a new area not too long ago," said Nancy Letham, director of development at the Kinsey Institute.\nSteinem's visit fits in with the Kinsey Institute's mission to promote interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the fields of human sexuality, gender and reproduction.\n"I think she will help us put in perspective where we are coming from in understanding women's sexuality, where we are, and the territory we still need to cover," Letham said.\nBorn in 1934, Steinem has established herself as one of the founders of modern feminism. She went to Smith College in Massachusetts, graduating with a degree in government. After studying abroad, Steinem became a free-lance writer in New York, ultimately working for Esquire, Glamour and other magazines. In her role as contributing editor and political columnist for New York Magazine, Steinem covered everything from the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., to United Farm Workers demonstrations led by Cesar Chavez. In 1972, Steinem founded Ms. magazine with Dorothy Pitman Hughes. \nFor her accomplishments, McCall's magazine named Steinem 'woman of the year' that year. In addition to her work in the media and on the lecture circuit, Steinem has written numerous books. Her 1992 book, Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem, was a No. 1 bestseller and has been translated into 11 languages.\nStephanie Sanders, associate director of the Kinsey Institute, will introduce the anniversary celebration before Steinem's speech. In addition to Steinem's visit, the celebration includes art exhibits, lectures, presentations and panel discussions. The planning for the anniversary celebration has been going on for almost a year. \n"Steinem is a female legend in her own time," said Claire Tramm, Union Board's marketing director. "This is an opportunity for those who have learned about her and those who know nothing about her to hear her speak."\nUnion Board also sponsors the keynote address and worked with the Kinsey Institute to make Steinem's visit to campus possible. UB vice president for membership Mzilikazi Kone will introduce Steinem.\n"It will be empowering to hear Ms. Steinem speak," Kone said. "She has inspired so many people to get involved with feminist issues. It's great to have her share her experience with the student body and the community."\nDuring her time on campus, Steinem will also participate in a taped panel discussion at WTIU, "On sex, women, and the media." While the discussion will be filmed while Steinem is on campus, the panel will air at 10 p.m. Feb. 13. The discussion will be moderated by Kathy Krendel, the dean of the Department of Communications at Ohio University. IU Professor of Journalism Radhika Parameswaran, Associate Professor of Communications Angharad Valdivia of the University of Illinois and Vicky Shields, director of the Women's Studies Program at Bowling Green State University will participate in the discussion.\n"These scholars will look at women in the media from various perspectives," Letham said.