Clinic bombing survivor to close Women’s History Month at BGSU

Emily Lyons, a registered nurse who survived a 1998 abortion clinic bombing in Birmingham, Ala., will cap Women’s History Month at the University with a March 31 speech.

Lyons, a reproductive rights activist, will speak at 7 p.m. that evening in 101 Olscamp Hall.

“Changing the World: Women and Social Justice” is the theme for the month, which also features theatre and Brown Bag Lunch Series presentations leading up to Lyons’ keynote address.

As she arrived for work at the Birmingham clinic on Jan. 29, 1998, a pipe bomb filled with nails detonated in front of her, inflicting serious injuries. After months of recovery, she dedicated her time to speaking for women’s rights and against violence toward reproductive health providers.

Featured in various newspapers and magazines, and on national television programs, Lyons received Planned Parenthood’s Woman of Valor Award in 1999 and has spoken at the organization’s national meeting. She has also worked to promote legislation to protect clinic employees and patients.

The month’s activities at BGSU pick up after spring break with a March 16 performance by Da’ Coloured Gurlz Collective. The theatre troupe will present “I Believe I Need to Talk!” at 7 p.m. in 228 Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

The troupe uses music, dance, video and drama to convey a message of inner strength and perseverance. It is dedicated to honoring women’s voices and their experiences of homelessness, substance abuse, domestic violence, single parenting and self-actualization.

On March 17, the Brown Bag Lunch Series will address “Violence Against Women with Disabilities” from noon-1 p.m. in 207 Union. Discussing the need for advocacy by and for disabled battered women will be Patricia Murphy, a visiting professor of disability studies at the University of Toledo, and Shelley Papenfuse of the Sylvania Ability Center.

The lunch series continues March 24 with “Eleanor Roosevelt: A Passion for Justice,” presented by Catherine Cassara, journalism, and concludes March 31 with the sixth annual Bring Your Favorite Professor/Mentor to Lunch program. Both events will begin at noon in the Women’s Center, 107 Hanna Hall.

Covering the period from 1945-48, Cassara will speak about newspaper coverage of Eleanor Roosevelt’s diplomatic evolution and the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which the former First Lady championed.

The March 31 lunch program is free for students and their invitees—women who have made a difference in the students’ lives. Invitations are available at the Women’s Center.

The center will also host a March 26 discussion being held in conjunction with the BGSU Theatre production of “Antigone.”

Jean Anouilh’s adaptation of the Sophocles play will be staged at 8 p.m. March 25-27 and at 2 p.m. March 27 and 28 in the Eva Marie Saint Theatre, located in University Hall.

On March 26, from 1:30-3:30 p.m., the Women’s Research Network will present “Staging Provocation: Jean Anouilh’s ‘Antigone’ and ‘Bad Girls.’” By defying her uncle, King Creaon, and his state, Antigone provokes debate about authority, apathy and individual moral codes. Guests at the program will watch a scene between Antigone and her rule-abiding sister, Ismene, then be part of a discussion about the risks and rewards of being a “bad girl” or “good girl” in our society. Presenters will be Jane Barnette, theatre and film; Erin Miller, a graduate student who is portraying Ismene in “Antigone,” and Anne Marie Sweeney, an undergraduate student who is playing the title role.