The Department of History and American Studies at the University of Mary Washington will continue the Centennial Edition of the “Chappell Lecture Series: Great Lives” on selected Tuesdays and Thursdays during the spring semester.
The program examines the lives of intriguing figures throughout history. In celebration of the university’s 100th anniversary, the series is focusing on compelling people who lived between 1908 and 2008. In addition, the series is featuring a special lecture on Mary Ball Washington, for whom the university was named, during Founders Week in March. The lectures will be held at 7:30 p.m. in George Washington Hall, Dodd Auditorium, and are open to the public free of charge.
Speakers featured in March include Peter Henriques, professor emeritus at George Mason University; Ellen Chesler, distinguished lecturer at Hunter College, CUNY; and Daniel Horowitz, professor of American Studies at Smith College.
On Thursday, March 13, Peter Henriques will give a lecture on “Mary and George Washington” as part of UMW’s Founders Week celebration. Henriques is the author of several books on George Washington, including “Realistic Visionary: A Portrait of George Washington.” He is professor emeritus of history at George Mason University, and he is a member of the editorial board for the George Washington Papers. Henriques received a doctorate from the University of Virginia.
The series will continue on Thursday, March 20, with a lecture on “Margaret Sanger” by Ellen Chesler. Chesler is the author of “Women of Valor” and she is a member of the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Currently the distinguished lecturer and director of the Eleanor Roosevelt Public Policy Initiative, Chesler is a graduate of Vassar College and Columbia University. Her essays and articles have appeared in several national publications including the New York Times, The Washington Post and Ms. Magazine.
On Thursday, March 27, Daniel Horowitz will give a lecture on “Betty Friedan.” Horowitz is the author of “Betty Friedan and the Making of the Feminine Mystique,” and he has won fellowships from the National Humanities Center and the National Endowment for the Humanities. He is a professor of American Studies and the director of the American Studies program at Smith College. Horowitz received a bachelor’s degree from Yale University and a doctorate from Harvard University.
The “Great Lives” lecture series will continue through April. For more information or for a complete listing of the lectures, contact the Office of University Relations at (540) 654-1055 or visit www.umw.edu/greatlives.