ORIGINS AND DESTINATIONS:
FORTY YEARS OF MORMON WOMEN’S HISTOR(IES)
Sponsored by the Mormon Women’s History Initiative Team
Cosponsored by Utah Valley University Religious Studies
Utah Valley University Science Building Auditorium (SB 134)
August 9, 2014—9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Co-Chairs: Andrea Radke-Moss, BYU Idaho; Taunalyn Rutherford, Claremont Graduate University
MWHIT Executive Committee: Sheree Bench, Brittany A. Chapman, Jenny Reeder, Cherry Silver, Lisa Olsen Tait
Program Theme
This symposium, sponsored by the Mormon Women’s History Initiative Team, brings together a stellar assemblage of speakers to assess and reflect on forty years of scholarship. Since the birth of the academic study of Latter-day Saint women’s history in the 1970s, the field has evolved from biographies of early female leaders and institutional histories toward richer explorations of involvement in suffrage and progressive activism, women’s ecclesiastical and political work, and marriage and family structures. At this moment of vibrant discussions about the status and roles of LDS women, it is more important than ever to examine the historical roots of Mormon women’s religiosity, empowerment, service, family roles, and political activism.
The overarching theme for the symposium is the construction and uses of Mormon women’s narratives, past and present. Leading practitioners in the field will reflect on their approaches and experiences. Speakers will also address the following questions, emphasizing intergenerational perspectives:
• What is the historiography of Mormon women’s history?
• What narratives have been constructed and how have they been used?
• What are the limitations and potentials of these narratives? Are there gaps or absences?
• What methodologies and theoretical frames have been developed and how can they be refined?
• What can Mormon women’s history learn from and contribute to institutional histories and broader academic fields?
The discussions will provide an important opportunity to hear seasoned voices and fresh perspectives and to consider ways to extend our conversation to a broader audience. To this end, we look for new interpretations—from feminist theory, intersectionality, and sociologies of gender, to useful and contextualized biography, comparative history, as well as legal history, race theory, and internationalism.
This symposium will be a moment to celebrate and reflect on what has been done, to synthesize what is being done, and to consider what is yet to be done in the future of Mormon women’s history. Please plan to join us!
FORTY YEARS OF MORMON WOMEN’S HISTOR(IES)
Sponsored by the Mormon Women’s History Initiative Team
Cosponsored by Utah Valley University Religious Studies
Utah Valley University Science Building Auditorium (SB 134)
August 9, 2014—9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Co-Chairs: Andrea Radke-Moss, BYU Idaho; Taunalyn Rutherford, Claremont Graduate University
MWHIT Executive Committee: Sheree Bench, Brittany A. Chapman, Jenny Reeder, Cherry Silver, Lisa Olsen Tait
Program Theme
This symposium, sponsored by the Mormon Women’s History Initiative Team, brings together a stellar assemblage of speakers to assess and reflect on forty years of scholarship. Since the birth of the academic study of Latter-day Saint women’s history in the 1970s, the field has evolved from biographies of early female leaders and institutional histories toward richer explorations of involvement in suffrage and progressive activism, women’s ecclesiastical and political work, and marriage and family structures. At this moment of vibrant discussions about the status and roles of LDS women, it is more important than ever to examine the historical roots of Mormon women’s religiosity, empowerment, service, family roles, and political activism.
The overarching theme for the symposium is the construction and uses of Mormon women’s narratives, past and present. Leading practitioners in the field will reflect on their approaches and experiences. Speakers will also address the following questions, emphasizing intergenerational perspectives:
• What is the historiography of Mormon women’s history?
• What narratives have been constructed and how have they been used?
• What are the limitations and potentials of these narratives? Are there gaps or absences?
• What methodologies and theoretical frames have been developed and how can they be refined?
• What can Mormon women’s history learn from and contribute to institutional histories and broader academic fields?
The discussions will provide an important opportunity to hear seasoned voices and fresh perspectives and to consider ways to extend our conversation to a broader audience. To this end, we look for new interpretations—from feminist theory, intersectionality, and sociologies of gender, to useful and contextualized biography, comparative history, as well as legal history, race theory, and internationalism.
This symposium will be a moment to celebrate and reflect on what has been done, to synthesize what is being done, and to consider what is yet to be done in the future of Mormon women’s history. Please plan to join us!
Program Outline
9:00 a.m. Welcome
9:15 – 10:40 Panel #1 Writing Their Stories: Biography, Autobiography, and Personal Essays
10:45–12:10 Panel #2 Collecting Their Stories: Edited Volumes 12:15 – 1:30
Luncheon: Foundations of Mormon Women’s History
Featured Speaker and Honoree: Claudia L. Bushman
1:45 – 3:15 Panel #3 Recording Their Stories: Oral Histories
3:30 – 5:00 Panel #4 Analyzing Their Stories: Scholarly Approaches and Future Paths
5:00 – 5:30 Refreshments
REGISTRATION FOR THE CONFERENCE IS FREE.
We have moved to a larger venue, so registration for the symposium has been reopened. Registration for the luncheon is closed.
Confirmed presenters: Claudia L. Bushman, Lowell Bennion, Brittany A. Chapman, Kathryn Daynes, Jill Mulvay Derr, Jessie Embry, Audrey Godfrey, Kristine Haglund, Aimee Hickman, Marian Ashby Johnson, Carol Cornwall Madsen, Patrick Mason, Neylan McBaine, Susanna Morrill, Andrea Radke-Moss, Jenny Reeder, Taunalyn Rutherford, and Colleen Whitley.
PARKING
Conference attendees may park for free anywhere on campus, except in designated paid parking areas such as the large parking garage east of the Student Life and Wellness Building.
The closest parking lot to the venue is L13, located between the Library (LI) and the Student Life Building (SL). Parking is also available in lot L1, located southwest of the Browning Administration Building (BA). A map of UVU campus can be found here: http://www.uvu.edu/maps/orem.html. (The section labeled "construction zone" is now lot L13.)
Directions from parking to the auditorium
Coming from lot L13: Walk directly south across the breezeway to the door that says "Pope Science 1." Once inside the building, turn right. This hallway will take you into the Science Building. The auditorium will be on your right.
Coming from lot L1: Walk east from the parking lot to the main doors on the south side of the building. Once inside, turn left. Follow the hallway down through Hall of Flags, then take a slight left when you reach the bookstore. The auditorium will be on your right.
LUNCHEON
The luncheon will begin at 12:15 in Centre Stage for those who have registered. This venue is located between the food court and the lost and found in the Sorensen Student Center.