| Helen Lewis, one of the founders of Appalachian Studies and
the service learning movement, returns to Berea College during
the January Short Term to teach a class on Appalachian Women's
Leadership. Lewis, a scholar/activist who served as Interim
Director of Berea College's Appalachian Center from 1993 -
1995, exemplifies for many Berea's commitment to the region.
With Lewis' guidance, the month-long course will explore the
role of Appalachian women as leaders in the historic and ongoing
struggles for social justice in the region. While holding families
together in the face of poverty and exploitation, Appalachian
women have also led the fight for a better future through sustainable
community development. According to Lewis, the course, which
will draw on her scholarship and experiences, will explore
the ways women leaders "tend to recognize both community
and individual needs and combine education and development
to link personal and community growth."
Meta Mendel-Reyes, Director of Berea College's Center for Excellence
in Learning Through Service and an Associate Professor of
General Studies will co-teach the class with Lewis. "Students
in the course will participate both in classroom study and
travel to sites of recent and contemporary struggles in which
Lewis was involved in the coal mining regions of Eastern
Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee, and West
Virginia," Mendel-Reyes states. "Students also
will read selections from social science, history, and memoirs;
watch videos; and participate in dialogues with women leaders
and activists. The major class project will be production
of a resource book of women's organizations and organizations
focusing on women's issues in Appalachia. Students will develop
skills in participatory action research through this project."
As an activist, Lewis participated in many notable struggles
including opposing strip mining and the broad form deed,
and supporting the civil rights movement. Lewis' return to
Berea College provides a unique opportunity for students
to learn from a person who not only is a scholar, but who
played a significant part in regional history.
While on the Berea College campus, Lewis will give some public
lectures. A celebration of Appalachian Women and the Work
of Helen Lewis will be held on January 18, with a public
lecture, banquet, and entertainment by the Reel World String
Band. The celebration will be held in the Woods-Penniman
Commons on the Berea College campus, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
There is no fee, but required reservations can be made by
calling Lori Briscoe at (859) 985-3257. Lewis will lecture
January 23 through Berea's Peanut Butter & Gender series
on her new book, Changing Habits, about the Glenmary sisters
who disbanded their community to work among the people. The
Peanut Butter & Gender Series, from 11:45 a.m. - 1:00
p.m., will take place in Phelps-Stokes Room 205. Seating
is limited at the Peanut Butter & Gender series.
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