Journalist to deliver Women’s Month keynote address

By: Daniella Bonilla / Contributing Writer
In celebration of Women’s History Month, the Women’s Center and Studies Programs will host a keynote address on “Women of the World in the Twenty-First Century: Status, Power and Women’s Leadership” by the Los Angeles Times’ Chief Diplomatic Correspondent Robin Wright. The address will begin tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The Women’s Center, along with the Women’s Studies Program participates and organizes most of the events during Women’s History month. Women’s Center Director Dr. Karen Garner takes great pride in the appreciation and presentation of great women during Women’s History Month.

“The reason why we are here [The Women’s Center], is because historically the needs and issues of women have not been addressed by institutions, as that of higher education,” Garner said. “Susana Rose [Women Studies Affiliate] and I, were trying to bring someone of high stature and who could inspire other women with her achievements.”

Wright is an international lecturer, an honorary fellow Yale, Stanford and Duke Universities and she has reported from more than 130 countries on six different continents.

“We see Ms. Wright as a role model for women and for students of
Journalism,” Garner said.

Having documented nine wars and numerous revolutions, Wright has researched the changing dynamics, activities and effects of militant Islamic countries and the Arab World.

“She is a very timely speaker,” Garner said. “She has been doing this for 10 years, and has taken a lot of risks. She has really gone against lots of expectations that have been placed upon her by the social customs of the Arab World, where women are behind the scenes. She has done something pretty phenomenal for being a Western woman.”

Wright won the Weintal Prize for Most Distinguished Diplomatic Reporting. Wright has also won the 1989 National Magazine Award for her coverage from Iran in the New Yorker and has also received the Overseas Press Club Award for “best reporting in any medium requiring exceptional courage and initiative” for her documentation of African Wars.

“She is a scholar as well as a journalist,” Garner said. “She really gets involved in her stories. She does a lot of study in the culture, language, background and history of the people or country she works on.”
Since the Sept. 11 terrorist actions, Robin Wright has traveled with Secretary of State Colin Powell, covering United States diplomacy and its stance against terrorism.

“She has gained the respect of world, religion and community leaders and has dealt with people who possess a high level of authority,” Garner said.