News Release

CHAPEL HILL — A United Nations official, a former pro football player and a Wall Street wizard will be among speakers during Women’s Week, March 28-April 2 at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Events, free to the public, will range from the annual "Take Back the Night March," to words of encouragement for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Sponsored annually by the Carolina Women’s Center at UNC, Women’s Week fosters awareness and dialogue about issues affecting women. This year’s theme -- "Women Are Talking, Join the Conversation" -- will be explored through speeches, panel discussions and interactive events.

"While women’s concerns and needs at times remain hidden, women will be speaking out during Women’s Week 2005," said Diane Kjervik, center director. "We invite the campus and the greater community to join these conversations as we celebrate women’s successes, visibility and clout in all spheres of life."

Women’s Week 2005 will kick off at noon March 28 on Polk Place outside South Building with remarks by UNC’s Dr. Carol Tresolini, associate provost for academic initiatives, and Dr. Melissa Exum, associate vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students, as well as a modern dance performance, an information fair and cake. The rain site will be the multipurpose room of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union.

All day March 28, in the Pit, off South Road at the UNC Student Stores, and on Polk Place, students, faculty and staff will contribute handprints to a community statement against sexual assault. T-shirts with messages against sexual violence will be hung.

Other highlights will include talks by:

• Pamela DeLargy, manager of the U.N. Population Fund’s Humanitarian Response Group, at 5:30 p.m. March 28 in 116 Murphey Hall. DeLargy, who coordinated the group’s response to crisis in Afghanistan, will speak about the impact of global conflict on women.
  
• Don McPherson, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Houston Oilers, at 8 p.m. March 28 in the union film auditorium. McPherson, now director of Adelphi University’s Sports Leadership Institute, will lead a discussion titled "You Throw Like a Girl: Dismantling Sexism and Misogyny," about anti-female bias and pressures on men and boys to engage in behavior that degrades women. McPherson challenges men to take a stand against violence against women.
  
• Carla Harris, managing director and head of equity private placements and retail markets at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, at 5:30 p.m. March 29 in the Koury Auditorium of the McColl Building. Harris will discuss challenges that face women as executives in corporate America. The talk also will be part of the Dean’s Speaker Series at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Those aiming to attend should email kfbsrsvp@unc.edu or call 843-7787. Harris has been among Fortune magazine’s "50 Most Powerful Black Executives in Corporate America," Black Enterprise’s "Top 50 African Americans on Wall Street" and Essence’s "50 Women Who are Shaping the World."
  
• Women members of the N.C. General Assembly, all Carolina alumnae, discussing the political climate for women in the state at 7 p.m. March 30 in the cabaret of the student union.
  
• Lori Robinson, a rape survivor and freelance journalist, reading from her book, "I Will Survive: The African-American Guide to Healing from Sexual Assault and Abuse," at 3:30 p.m. March 29 at the Bull’s Head Bookshop, located in the Student Stores. She also will discuss her experiences and answer questions. Robinson will be keynote speaker before the "Take Back the Night March," beginning with a rally at 7 p.m. March 29 in the Pit. In the event of heavy rain, the rally will be in Gerrard Hall off Cameron Avenue and the march will not be held.

These are just a sampling of the events planned for Women’s Week 2005. For a complete listing, dates, times and details, visit http://www.unc.edu/womenscenter/events/ww2005.htm or call 919-962-8305.

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Carolina Women’s Center contact: Diane Kjervik, 919-962-8305

News Services contacts: Print, L.J. Toler, 919-962-8589; broadcast, Karen Moon, 919-962-9585