Women's Research Forum

Coming Up...

The Center occasionally invites women scholars to present their work in a public forum. These events provide the University community and the general public with an opportunity to learn more about the scope of scholarly research being conducted by women here in Memphis and across the country.

Examples of past forums include:

"Psychosocial influences on adverse birth outcomes among pregnant adolescents" Lynda M. Sagrestano, Ph.D., Director, Center for Research on Women, University of Memphis

Pregnant adolescents are at high risk for adverse birth outcomes, such as premature and low birth weight babies, which puts their children at higher risk for long term cognitive and developmental impairment or infant mortality. This presentation will examine psychosocial factors that impact adverse birth outcomes among adolescents. Psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem; social factors, such as social support from family and boyfriend; behavioral factors, such as nutrition, exercise, and substance use; and contextual factors, such as socioeconomic status and cultural heritage will be explored to better understand the challenges faced by expectant adolescents. Finally, data on the local impact of adolescent pregnancy and adverse outcomes will be used to set the stage for discussion of future directions for research and policy.

"Women in Ancient Egyptian Religious Hierarchy" Suzanne Onstine, Ph.D., Egyptologist, Assistant Professor, Department of History, University of Memphis

The study of women in ancient cultures often focuses on personal adornment and childbearing. This limited range of topics tends to promote the view that women played a limited role in the so-called "public spheres" of politics and economics. And although from ancient Egypt there are very few obvious examples of women with administrative roles, there are numerous titles which attest to the participation of women in the religious hierarchy. The activeness of women in ancient Egyptian religion however, tells us not only about their piety, but speaks to their political and civic convictions as well. State and religion were virtually the same in ancient Egypt, and the choices women made about which cults they served, and the patterns revealed in my research, demonstrate a link between religious vocations and the socio-political climate of the 2nd to 1st millennia BCE. 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Room 409 Clement Hall, reception following at CROW offices, 337 Clement Hall.

"Women in Math and the Sciences," A presentation and roundtable discussion lead by Pamela Shaw, Ph.D. Mathematical Statistician, Biostatistics Research Branch, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; (forum summary TBA) 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Room 409 Clement Hall, reception following at CROW offices, 337 Clement Hall.

"Gender and Racial Health Disparities in Heart Disease," Dr. Cheryl Travis, Professor of Psychology, UT Knoxville, with
introduction by Kathy Kastan, L..C.S.W., M.A. Ed., President, WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease.; 3:00 - 4:00 p.m., Room 409 Clement Hall, reception following at CROW offices, 337 Clement Hall.

For more information on the Women's Research Forum, contact Dr. Lynda Sagrestano, Director, at 901.678.2780.

Be our guest for lunch and a talk on

Current Issues in Reproductive Healthcare

by Elena Maslia Marks

Chair, Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Director, Health & Environmental Policy, City of Houston, TX

Thursday, April 24, 2008 12—1:30 p.m.

University of Memphis Holiday Inn, Shelby Ballroom

RSVP by April 18 to 678-2770

In her current role as director of health and environmental policy for for Mayor Bill White of Houston, Texas, she has transformed the public health care system, expanding community-based primary care clinics, and establishing a nonprofit corporation to coordinate health care services for low-income and uninsured people.

In 2005, she coordinated the establishment of the Hurricane Katrina health clinic in Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center, where more than 10,000 evacuees were treated.

Ms. Marks also leads Mayor White’s air quality initiatives, which have received national attention for their creativity in addressing multi-pollutant problems.