Women and Gender Studies Celebrates Publication of Book on Human Rights

Women and Gender Studies Celebrates Publication of Book on Human Rights

Women and Gender Studies celebrated the publication of "Confronting Global Gender Justice: Women’s Lives, Human Rights" with a book signing and reception on Thursday, April 21.

The volume, hailed as a “groundbreaking, interdisciplinary collection of essays, was edited by multiple George Mason University faculty members:

  • Debra Bergoffen, emerita professor of philosophy and former director of women’s studies at Mason
  • Paula Ruth Gilbert, professor of French and women and gender studies
  • Tamara Harvey, associate professor of English and affiliate faculty in women and gender studies
  • Connie McNeely, professor in the School of Public Policy and affiliate faculty in women and gender studies. 

At the event, each of the editors shared their experiences of collaborating on such a large project.

Suzanne Scott, director of Women and Gender Studies Program, said the anticipation for the book began brewing in 2005. Nancy Hanrahan, former director of the program, secured funding for a faculty development day on gender and globalization. Out of those workshops emerged the Global Gender Justice Research Community, which met monthly in the Women and Gender Studies Center. In 2008, that group held a Global Gender Justice Symposium, which attracted participants from around the world.

The edited volume includes expanded and enhanced versions of the presentations at that conference along with a number of original pieces solicited especially for the text. The campus bookstore participated in the book launch reception by providing copies of the book, published by Routledge, for sale.

Approximately 30 people, including Jack Censer, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, joined the celebration.