Conference on 'Trafficking in Gender: Feminist Dialogues on Embodiment'

FAU's Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies will host the 39th annual Southeastern Women's Studies Association Conference, with the theme "Trafficking in Gender: Feminist Dialogues on Embodiment." More than 100 scholars from a variety of academic institutions in the United States are expected to attend the conference, which will take place from Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28 at the Wyndham Hotel, 1950 Glades Road, Boca Raton.

The keynote address for the conference, which is free and open to the public, will be delivered by Carrie N. Baker, Ph.D. on Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. Baker is an associate professor in the Program for the Study of Women and Gender at Smith College. Her primary areas of research are women's legal history, gender and public policy, and women's social movements. Her book "The Women's Movement Against Sexual Harassment," which was published in 2008, won the National Women's Studies Association 2008 Sara A. Whaley book prize. Her current research is on sex trafficking. Baker recently wrote a feature article in the summer 2010 issue of Ms. magazine on domestic minor sex trafficking and she writes for the Ms. magazine blog. This event is free and open to the public.

Additional highlights of the conference include a Combating Human Trafficking Workshop, with an address by Katariina Rosenblatt, Ph.D., on Saturday, March 28 at 9 a.m. and a film screening of "Just Gender," followed by a questions and answer session with the director, George Zuber, on Saturday, March 28 at noon. Rosenblatt has a doctorate in conflict analysis and resolution and works closely with law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI and Homeland Security, to eliminate human slavery. Her own experience as a survivor inspired her to create "There Is Hope for Me,"a nonprofit organization dedicated to freeing other victims of human trafficking.  "Just Gender" explores the myths and misunderstandings about transgendered people and touches on the discrimination, hardships and brutality resulting from misconceptions and prejudices, including the numerous deaths caused by hate each year. To register for these events, visit http://www.fau.edu/womensstudies/sewsa2015/registration.php .

Founded in 1976, SEWSA is a feminist organization that actively supports and promotes all aspects of women's studies at every level of involvement. The organization is committed to scholarship and activism eliminating oppression and discrimination on the basis of sex, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, ethnic background, physical ability, and class. FAU's Center for Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) is housed in the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. The center houses an interdisciplinary program that offers a master's degree, graduate certificate and undergraduate certificate. Courses are taught by nationally and internationally known faculty from a variety of disciplines. For more information about WGSS, call 561-297-3865 or visit www.fau.edu/WomensStudies.