Vision 2020: Looking Back to Move Forward
St. John Fisher College, Rochester New York

November 14 – 17, 2019

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS 

Please submit paper abstracts of no more than 500 words to the following web location by JUNE 1, 2019:  

_CFA - FEMINIST-PRAGMATIST COLLOQUIUM - NOVEMBER 2019 - CFA

 

2020 is a historical year, marking the 200th birthday of Susan B. Anthony, the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, and the 202nd birthday of Frederick Douglass.  Just weeks before we celebrate the beginning of this historical year, we will gather in Rochester, New York to share our visions for the year 2020 and beyond.  Rochester was the home for both Anthony and Douglass. Rochester is also is within driving distance of Seneca Falls, the home of the first Women's Rights Convention.  In addition, Rochester and Seneca Falls are also within the traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) territory, which is not only the oldest living participatory democracy, but also a confederacy that was matrilineal and inspired first-wave feminism.  It is our honor to acknowledge this rich history and these various traditions with a conference.   We welcome your participation!

Interested individuals may submit electronic abstracts that explore, challenge, deepen, or further consider topics, theories, and theorists related to social justice, women rights, civil rights, Indigenous rights, oppression, and/or related topics.  Though primarily a philosophy conference, we welcome submissions from all disciplines and from scholars, students, community leaders, or activists. 

A TRAVELING CONFERENCE WITH A MIX OF FORMATS (SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE)

St. John Fisher College (SJFC), Traditional Conference Format - Friday, November 15:  This aspect of the conference will include a plenary speaker and paper presentations as well as an option to participate in a Scholars Circle (writing workshop for all those who are interested).  Attendees may choose to attend only this part of the conference or you may also join is with the "traveling" aspects described (briefly) below.

Various Locations in Rochester Area - Mixed Format and Tours:  Conference attendees may also choose to join a number of additional events, including a tour of historical Mt. Hope Cemetery (home of the gravesites for both Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass as well as other noteworthy historical figures); a lecture at and tour of the Susan B. Anthony House (space limited); and a tour of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park followed by traditional paper presentations and keynote in Seneca Falls, (~50 minute drive from Rochester, New York).  (Separate registration and additional payment required.  Transportation will be included with this additional registration.) 

For additional information, please contact Barbara Lowe ([log in to unmask]).  

PLENARY SPEAKERS

Friday, November 15 – St. John Fisher College, Rochester, NY

Louise W. Knight, an independent scholar, is the author of Citizen: Jane Addams and the Struggle for Democracy, Jane Addams: Spirit in Action, and the forthcoming (in 2021), American Sisters: Sarah and Angelina Grimké and the First Fight for Human Rights. She is a Visiting Scholar of the Northwestern University Gender and Sexuality Studies Program. Knight's lecture will focus on the Grimke sisters and their eloquent advocacy for the immediate abolition of slavery and racial discrimination and for women's equal rights.   

Friday, November 15 – Susan B. Anthony House, Rochester, NY (evening)

Deborah Hughes, president and CEO of the Susan B. Anthony House.  Hughes is an ordained mister, a graduate of the University of Oregon (Eugene) with a B.S. in Religious Studies, and holds a master’s degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Biblical Studies, with a focus on ancient languages. Hughes will speak on Susan B. Anthony and the Women’s Suffrage Movement on Friday evening at the Susan B. Anthony House.  (Additional registration required.  Includes transportation to and tour of Susan B. Anthony House.  Limited space available.) 

Marilyn Fischer is Professor of Philosophy Emerita, University of Dayton, Ohio.  Dr. Fischer specializes in American pragmatism with special emphasis on the philosophy of Jane Addams. She is the author of numerous books and essays, including Jane Addams's Evolutionary Theorizing: Constructing "Democracy and Social Ethics" (forthcoming from the University of Chicago Press), On Addams, and Ethical Decision Making in Fund Raising. She has co-edited Jane Addams and the Practice of Democracy and a four-volume set of Addams's writings on peace.  She will speak on Jane Addams and women’s suffrage on Friday evening at the Susan B. Anthony House.  (Additional registration required.  Includes transportation to and tour of Susan B. Anthony House.  Limited space available.)

Saturday, November 16 – Women’s Rights National Historical, Seneca Falls, NY 

Louise McDonald-Herne, Clan Mother, Mohawk Nation, &

Sally Roesch Wagner, Founder and Executive Director, The Matilda Joslyn Gage Foundation, Inc. and Matilda Joslyn Gage Center for Social Justice Dialogue; Adjunct Faculty, Syracuse University & St. John Fisher College; and Public Scholar.  Author of numerous texts including The Women’s Suffrage Movement (forthcoming in March of 2019) and Sisters of Spirit. Dr. Wagner and Louise Herne will speak on Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) matriarchal society and its influence on the women’s rights movement.  (Additional registration required.  Transportation to Seneca included with additional registration.)