Thursday September 27, 2001

As part of UApresents' community engagement program, the UA women's studies department will present a feminist documentary film and panel discussion Sunday.

Stefanie Goebel, a University of Arizona Women's Studies graduate student, devoted much of this semester not only to studying, but also to organizing the first of events in the UApresents "International Women of Victory" series.

The first presentation for the series includes a film - "The Edge of Each Other's Battles: The Vision of Audre Lorde" - followed by a panel discussion and reception.

"This first event with the women's studies program is part of a broad program that goes to engage the (Tucson) community in a discussion on women who have overcome diversity in perseverance, strength and grace," UApresents publicist Tara Kirkpatrick said.

Goebel added that the event focuses on the life of Audre Lorde, the late feminist poet and writer, but incorporates many issues facing all feminists. She said the film is based largely on "I Am Your Sister" - an October 1990 transnational conference on the subject of Lorde's works.

"('Edge') will highlight Audre Lorde's incredible legacy of work," Goebel said. "She complicated the issue of feminism for women of color - she was someone who was always critiquing the feminist movement for not adequately addressing race in its perspective."

According to both Goebel and Sandra Soto, a UA Women's Studies assistant professor, Lorde - also an African American lesbian and feminist - played a critical role in establishing a more enlightened perspective on the role of race in feminist issues.

"She made great contributions to speaking frankly about racism during the second feminist wave," Soto said. "She was concerned with homophobia, the feminist movement and the African American community - (Lorde was) incredibly talented at bringing issues together."

Kirkpatrick added that Lorde was a "victory woman" of her time who aspired to challenge many social issues.

"She was one of those people working to build a better world - social justice and equality - she was an integrative thinker," she said.

Goebel agreed, calling Lorde an icon in both the feminist movement and the Women's Studies academic discipline.

Kirkpatrick added that Sunday's panel speakers will be available to provide information on the work of Lorde and feminist issues in general.

Speakers include UA professor of anthropology Ana Ortiz, UA media arts professor Beverly Seckinger and comparative cultural and literary studies graduate student Karen Wyndham.

Kirkpatrick added that the forum is quite appropriately in conjunction with next week's opening of "The Vagina Monologues."

"We find this to be a perfect precursor to ('Monologues') because it celebrates the legacy of Audre Lorde and will simulate discussion on women's issues, which are at the heart and soul of 'The Vagina Monologues,'" she said.

Goebel said she hopes audiences gain an increased knowledge of Lorde and her incredible lifetime of work.

"I hope that people get either an appreciation - or a new appreciation - of the importance of Audre Lorde's work - a better sense of who she was as a person," she said. "But also, I hope people understand how much work is being done in the feminist movement in general."