Micere Githae Mugo to lecture and read at Vassar College, April 10, 2003

Micere Githae Mugo, Professor of African American Studies at Syracuse University and author or editor of more than 15 books, including "My Mother's Poem and Other Songs," will speak on "African Women, Creativity and Insurgent Gendered Discourses" at Vassar College on Thursday, April 10. She will speak at 5:30 p.m. in the Blanche Brumbach Spitzer Auditorium, Sanders Classroom Building.

Mugo's lecture is free of charge and open to the public. This is the third lecture in the 2002-2003 Africana Studies Lecture Series sponsored by the Program in Africana Studies, the Program in Women's Studies, and the Department of English.

Micere Githae Mugo, a poet and playwright, is a Zimbabwean citizen, a Kenyan by birth and upbringing, a Pan Africanist by identification and an international in orientation. Daughter of educators and political activists, Mugo became the first African student to attend the "white only" Limuru Girls School, where she did her "A-levels" and then went on to the Makerere University in Uganda. After serving as headmistress at two prestigious all-girl schools, she left Africa to attend the University of New Brunswick in Canada where she received her Ph.D. in literature. After returning to Kenya she became the first

female academic dean at the University of Nairobi. Her political activism against human rights abuses by the Moi dictatorship led to her exile in Zimbabwe in 1982. The recipient of numerous international honors and awards, she serves on the editorial board of Proud Flesh: New Afrikan Journal of Culture, Politics and Consciousness; and the advisory board of Jenda: A Journal of Culture and African Women's Studies. She is also a member of the board of the Women's World Organization for Rights, Literature and Development (Women's WORLD). Mugo is a member of and speaker for Amnesty International and a campaigner for the freedom for death row political prisoners.

In addition to "My Mother's Poem and Other Songs" (1994), Mugo's works include: "Orature and Human Rights" (1990), "Visions of Africa" (1978), "The Trial of Dedan Kimathi" (1977), with Ngugi wa Thiong'o, "Daughter of My People, Sing!" (1976). "The Long Illness of Ex-Chief Kiti & Other Works" (1976), and a number of school readers for Zimbabwean school children.

For additional information, call the office of the Africana Studies Program at (845) 437-7490. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Cathy Jennings at (845) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request appropriate and reasonable accommodations.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential

liberal arts college founded in 1861.

Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.

Vassar College is a highly selective, coeducational, independent, residential liberal arts college founded in 1861.

This article was posted on Thursday, April 10th, 2003.