Women’s Studies at the University of South Carolina

The last two days have been taken up with the wonderful Annual Women’s Studies Conference here at the University of South Carolina. I’m a WOST Affiliate Faculty Member, have been since the moment I got here, and the WOST program has been a real lifeline in so many ways.

Our Women’s Studies program is extremely multidisciplinary, and the WOST Conference was, as it always is, a fantastic reminder about the depth and brilliance of the feminist cohort of the University of South Carolina faculty and students. See e.g. this. If you are one of those anti-Southern bigots who ignores anything not produced by scholars at traditionally elite universities, you are seriously missing out. South Carolina, the state, is not the most hospitable environment for academic feminists, but the people who come here and stay here at this University are among the smartest, most committed, and hardest-working folks you will ever meet. Remarkable papers were presented by feminist scholars ranging from octogenarian emeritus faculty, to smart and motivated undergraduate students. I was very proud to be on a panel that also featured one of my law school’s exceptional students, as well as a retired faculty member who attended college with (she was at Radcliffe, he was at Harvard), and remains friendly with, Justice Souter. The session was moderated by a biology prof colleague who grew up in Bombay, India, and I had a great time telling her about my trip to Hyderabad last December. To say I had a great day doesn’t even begin to express how much I enjoyed the 2007 WOST Conference experience.

As is typical for Women’s Studies functions, there were myriad accolades, gifts and flowers, lots of great food, and many, many full body hugs. The WOST Program Coordinator, Rosa Thorn, is retiring, and we are going to miss her something awful. An African American woman who attended segregated public schools here in SC while growing up, Rosa won University awards for her exceptional organizational skills, and many friends and fans via her exceptional kindness and generosity. She has been almost scarily dedicated to her job, and had she been born 25 years later than she was, she might well be running a less rapacious (and quite possibly even more profitable) version of Microsoft.

Our University President, Andrew Sorensen, was in attendance, and not just for “face time” either, he stayed for the substantive presentations as well. His Presidency has been notable for a marked increase in the number of female faculty and administrators who have been hired and/or tenured at this University, and he and Provost Mark Becker deserve a lot of credit for that.

The WOST Direct, Lynn Weber, is stepping down, because after eleven years she wants to return to teaching and writing full time. She’s been a terrific administrator, and an awesome mentor and friend. If the next WOST Director is even half as good the program will remain top notch. I also need to mention, with a lot of affection, the Associate WOST Director, my friend and neighbor Laura Woliver, who will be stepping down from her administrative slot next year, unfortunately, though she is certainly entitled. Laura is quite possibly the nicest person walking the face of the earth, and because she is so very sweet, warm and supportive, sometimes people underestimate her fierce intellect. Too bad for them. Read one of her books (maybe this one?) and you will see what I mean.

Finally, I need to mention Helen Hill, the Columbia, SC native filmmaker daughter of two of my WOST colleagues, Kevin and Becky Lewis, who was murdered on January 4th, in New Orleans. She and her family survived Katrina, but not its violent aftermath. The WOST Conference ended with a sad but inspirational memorial showing of a number of her short films. She will not be forgotten:

“Helen’s funeral had not one but two brass bands.”
Here are some words about Helen’s funeral, from another blog:

Helen’s brother Jake was visiting from New York. He served as the grand marshal. Later, I overheard him say that he’s”not angry at the city of New Orleans.”That’s a comforting sentiment, to be sure, and I am grateful he expressed it.

For my part, as a resident of the city, I am angry at New Orleans : and I count myself in that number. I am angry and ashamed of what we did to Helen. We seduced her here with our charms, and we killed her with our violence. How can we be so cruel?

But on days like yesterday, I am also proud of New Orleans, and the culture that Helen loved so much.

I didn’t know Helen, but I sure wish I had. Her parents have always been very kind to me, and I hope at least I can return that favor.

–Ann Bartow