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The Western Illinois University Department of English will host the second annual 2023 Reading Room Series from 4-5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 in Simpkins Hall room 025.
Listen to Beth M. Howard s commentary
Started by Phyllis Farley Rippey, a political science professor at WIU, and Judy Kohler, who was part of the Macomb Feminist Network, the “Women’s Voices” series went dormant for several years until 2015, when Janice Welsch, with the help of Heather McIlvaine, Rebekah Buchanan, and Barbara Lawhorn, brought it back.
“We need more women speaking up within Macomb and our vicinity,” urges Janice, who taught film studies, women’s studies, and cultural diversity at the college before retiring 15 years ago. “Every issue is a woman’s issue, even when we don’t get equal perspective on it. We need to build the confidence of women to take on more political positions and work with the community.”