Feminist author Jessica Valenti to speak at Fairfield University

Feminist author and founder of the popular Web site Feministing.com, Jessica Valenti, will speak on "The `F' Word and How it Applies to You" on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m. at Fairfield University, in the Oak Room of the John A. Barone Campus Center.

This special lecture, which is free and open to all, is sponsored by the Humanities Institute, the Office of Residence Life, Student Diversity Programs and the Women's Studies Program.

Valenti, an impassioned activist who holds a master's degree in women's and gender studies, has a long record of working with national and international women's organizations. She presents a fresh vision of feminism that discredits myths and stereotypes and focuses on the future. Rather than attempting to identify the ways in which past women activists failed, Valenti utilizes a wittily sarcastic tone to present her audience with straightforward facts and information they can use to implement change.

The lecture was organized in part by senior Tara Hurley, a student who read Valenti's work in a women's studies course at Fairfield University. Inspired by her writing, Hurley applied for grants and found advocates to help bring Valenti to campus.

"Jessica Valenti's book stood out from the rest because I felt she covered many of the pertinent feminist issues in a way that I hadn't seen before," Hurley said. "I think that [she] will bring a fresh perspective on feminism to campus. She presents the feminist issues in a way that makes them accessible to young women today."

Elizabeth Hohl, professor of history and co-director of women's studies, said she believed strongly in the case Hurley made for Valenti to visit the University and that the timing was apt to continue the discussion on feminism. Along with co-director of women's studies, Dr. Danke Li, and former director of women's studies, Dr. Johanna Garvey, Valenti's lecture was arranged.

A recent article published in the "He Said" column of the independent student newspaper, The Mirror, brought gender issues to the forefront of discussion on campus. The column, which was ultimately removed from the publication, contained sexist language.

"Without attributing malice, raising consciousness around the issue of misogyny became apparent," Hohl said. "Valenti is willing to tackle a wide range of issues around the need for equality; she encourages debate as well as the process of self-discovery."

Michelle Morrison, also a senior at Fairfield University and a member of a book club Hurley created to discuss Valenti's work, agreed that Valenti's message is fresh and unique.

"Valenti is one of those authors who really gets it," Morrison said. "I'm so excited to hear her speak, because I know it will be fun and also make me consider the world in a new way."

Valenti is the author of multiple books, including Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters, He's a Stud, She's a Slut...and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know and The Purity Myth: How America's Obsession With Virginity is Hurting Young Women. She is also the co-editor of the feminist anthology, Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape.

Dahlia Lithwick of Slate Magazine said of her books: "Valenti seeks to turn back thousands of years of history, a bourgeoning cult of abstinence-only education and purity balls, and a deeply entrenched myth that so long as a girl is `pure' she is moral."

Valenti has also appeared as a guest on "The Colbert Report" and has been featured in New York Magazine and The Guardian. She has also contributed to Ms. Magazine, The Scholar & Feminist, Bitch Magazine and Salon.com. Valenti received an award from Choice USA for her commitment to reproductive justice and was named one of ELLE Magazine's IntELLEgentsia.

Traci Dantoni is a member of Fairfield University's class of 2010.