EAKMAN, Beth (b. 1964) | Oral History

EAKMAN, Beth (b. 1964)

Profession: Graduate Student

Oral Histories

Her experiences concerning the establishment of the Women's Studies Program at the University of North Texas. Her early introduction to feminism while a student at Texas Christian University, 1980s; activities with Planned Parenthood in Fort Worth; activities with Choice Dallas; involvement with the North Texas Democrats and Ann Richards's gubernatorial campaign, 1990; break-up of her marriage, 1991, and spousal abuse; stalking by her ex-husband; entry into therapy; enrollment in women's studies courses at the University of North Texas, 1994; organizing the Women's Studies Roundtable; her work with Barbara Rodman in establishing the Women's Studies Program, 1994; establishment of the Professing Women Award; establishment of the feminist newsletter, “The Gaze;” relations between the Women's Studies Roundtable and the Women's Collective; establishment of “Women's ‘Her story’ Month”; relations with Chancellor Alfred Hurley and the UNT administration; performance by Latina feminist poet Rosemary Meza; contributions of Dean Nora Kizer Bell to the Women's Studies Program; effects of English Department politics on the program; relations with Women's Programming at UNT; importance of maintaining a personal journal; her views of area studies as the future of higher education.
Date of Interview: March 28, 1997

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