Prairie View A&M to celebrate historian at women’s symposium
Prairie View A&M University will host a one-day symposium this fall that will celebrate African American historian and writer Paula Giddings and the 35th anniversary of her book “When and Where I Enter,” which chronicles the history of black women’s activism and their contribution to the country’s political landscape.
The Nov. 8 event will feature feminist scholars including journalist Gloria Steinem and black female trailblazers such as the Rev. Renita J. Weems.
Weems, black women’s history pioneer Elsa Barkley Brown and African American literary studies critic Cheryl Wall will discuss the origin of black women’s studies and the legacy of their work during a morning panel session.
Poet Evie Shockley, who cites Giddings’ book as a major influence, will read poetry. And Giddings will participate in a panel with Steinem and Spelman College professor Beverly GuySheftall, a black feminist scholar. The event will conclude with a discussion between Giddings and the university’s President Ruth J. Simmons.
The event, “When and Where I Enter at 35” is a part of the historically black college’s Scholars’ Voices Series. Previous speakers in the series have included philosopher Cornel West, historian and African American studies professor W. Gabriel Selassie, and author
“We get to … have a discussion about what it means to unearth all of these stories …”
Melanye Price, endowed professor of political science at Prairie View A&M
historian Nell Irvin Painter.
Melanye Price, an endowed professor of political science at Prairie View, said she decided to organize the event after the university established that Giddings would come to the campus.
“I remember when I was in college 20 years ago … (Giddings’ book) was this sweeping history of African American women’s political activism over decades,” Price said.
“Young women like me — women trying to learn more about their history — are still using this as a reference, as a source they can go to to learn more about themselves,” she said.
The 35th anniversary of the publication of the book made it all the more reason to celebrate by inviting other “heavy-hitters,” Price added.
“We get to bring these women to campus and have a discussion about what it means to unearth all of these stories and unearth all of this history about the daily lives of black women,” many of whom are on the negative end of social statistics, Price said.
The symposium series, “A Study of African American Culture and History,” is considered the HBCU’s first step in the launch of its African American Studies initiative.
Price said university officials hope the events help set the foundation for the African American studies program by bringing in experts in that field, as well as in literature and history “to help us think about (what) we want the program to look like.” At least one other event will be held in the spring.