Noted feminist Steinem to speak at Penn

The well-known activist and author will be Connaissance's fall speaker November 4. One of the World Almanac's 25 most influential women in America will arrive at Penn November 4. After months of speaking to agents and searching through catalogs of celebrities, the Social Planning and Events Committee's Connaissance arm announced last night that leading feminist activist Gloria Steinem will be the group's fall speaker. Connaissance sponsors two major speeches annually featuring speakers of national prominence. Recent speakers have included James Earl Jones, Billy Joel and Conan O'Brien. "This is an important event for the University as Steinem will speak about things that all students can relate to," said Connaissance Co-Chairperson Dara Gruen, a College senior. "Steinem's address should promote intellectual discussion and debate and raise public consciousness about women's issues." The 64-year-old Steinem "will offer something a little different," Gruen added. Many of the group's most recent speakers have been male. Steinem also stands out as one of the few scholars Connaissance has invited to campus in recent years. Most other speakers have represented the entertainment industry, said Connaissance Co-Chairperson Jonathan Freedberg, a Wharton and Engineering senior. Steinem has done a lot to promote women's equality in the social and political spheres, Gruen said. She is also a strong female role model, according to Gruen. In 1993, Steinem was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame for her work on women's rights and role as a leader of the feminist movement. "We are hoping that Steinem will clarify the term 'feminism' and lessen the radical, negative connotation associated with the term," Gruen said. Steinem's address will not have a specific topic but will be tailored to college-age students. Her speech will assess feminism, politics of human sexuality, domestic violence, human rights and racism, Gruen said. Gruen said she hopes that Steinem will also address the current White House scandal and offer her views on the president and Monica Lewinsky, the former intern with whom he had an affair. Currently, Steinem is a writer and consulting editor for Ms. magazine, which she co-founded in 1972. Her writing has also appeared in New York magazine, a weekly publication she helped found in 1968. "Steinem is exactly what we look for in a speaker," Gruen said. "Connaissance looks for a speaker with a big name who will attract student interest and will have a great deal to say." Her books include Moving Beyond Words, A Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem and Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions. In addition, Steinem is one of 10 International Working Group members of "Beyond Racism," an initiative of the Southern Education Foundation. The group's work includes a two-year study of comparative race relations in the United States, Brazil and South Africa. Following the 45-minute speech, Steinem will open the discussion to an interactive question-and-answer session. Steinem's address will be given in the Annenberg Center's Zellerbach Theater at 8 p.m. Connaissance will begin selling $2 tickets on Locust Walk on the Monday prior to Steinem's arrival on campus. "We are so enthusiastic about welcoming such an incredible figure to campus," Gruen said. "Steinem will inevitably pack Penn's diverse student body into the 975 seats of Zellerbach."

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