About the discussion
Wednesday, October 28, 7 to 9 p.m.
Guests / Invitées: Naomi Kahane, Natacha Dorval, Anne Petitclerc
Moderator: Elizabeth Hunt
Venue: Arts Café, 201 Fairmount Ouest (@ De l’Esplanade)
From the perceived treachery of Eve, to the divinity of Mary, the courage of Joan, the lasciviousness of Marilyn, the tranquility of Teresa, and the nameless, faceless obedient wife, stereotypes and archetypes of women abound. Yet there as many ways to be a woman as there are individual women in the world. Is womanhood related to our reproductive organs, to our perception of the world, to the roles we play? Over the last several decades we have seen, and continue to see, a huge shift in how women are perceived and perceive themselves. As cultures collide, new generations emerge, and individuals cross-pollinate their thinking, our definitions of womanhood are constantly tested and contested. For many of us in the here and now, juggling multiple roles and numerous responsibilities, we remain aware of our identity as women but rarely take the time to reflect on how that came to be. In this intergenerational public conversation we will together explore what being a woman is and how we learn and relearn what this means.
Guests:
Naomi Kahane
Natacha Dorval is the mother of two young girls, 6 and 8 years old, and an active volunteer at their school. Having grown up bearing witness to her mother’s long battle with breast cancer, Natacha constantly searches to improve her understanding of herself and the world around her; striving to create an environment where her two little girls can feel secure in their own selves and bodies. Natacha was recently certified as a Thai Yoga Massage therapist and looks forward to her next adventure of setting up her own business in the Laurentians.
Anne Petitclerc is involved with several community projects in Montreal, including Head and Hands and Against the Wall. With a background in bodywork therapy and facilitation, she has a passion for creating safe spaces of happiness and sustainability. Anne has spent the past 5 months wandering around Europe working on organic farms and participating in queer and women run events.
Moderator:
Elizabeth Hunt coordinates the University of the Streets Café, a program of the Institute for Community Development of the School of Extended Learning at Concordia University. Often mistaken for a boy as a child, Elizabeth questioned what gender meant from an early age when her siblings convinced her that she would suddenly turn into a boy on her 10th birthday. Having reassuringly survived the event with her gender identify intact, Elizabeth now greatly enjoys being a woman, and is inspired by the amazing women around her.