ORWAC Newsletter January 2009 no. 1

Bernadette M. Calafell, Newsletter Editor

From the President
Greetings & Happy New Year! 2008 was certainly a busy year for ORWAC in which various initiatives were discussed. To recap, we implemented and awarded two Research Development Grants, published two issues of provocative scholarship along with a special issue on care and career in academe in Women's Studies in Communication, engaged in advertising exchanges with other feminist journals, got a new logo, made a few revisions to the Bylaws, gained a wonderful Treasurer in Dr. Valerie Renegar, and awarded the Top Student Paper and Feminist Scholar Award. WOW! On the flip side, we will say good-bye to the current Vice President Dr. Bernadette Calafell, who is unable to continue as an officer. On behalf of the officers, we thank Bernadette for all of her work, contributions, and support during the past two years.

2009 is shaping up to be equally exciting and busy which begins with the upcoming WSCA conference in Phoenix-Mesa where I look forward to seeing members. This year's panels and keynote speakers sponsored by ORWAC are not to be missed (see the listing of panels in this newsletter) and members will certainly want to be present at this year's business meeting, where we'll make a few announcements, call for submissions to the 2009 Research Development Grants and elect a new Vice President, followed by a social hour!

Business Meeting: Sunday, Feb. 15th from 5:00-6:00 pm. Social Hour Event: Sunday, Feb. 15th from 6:00-7:00 pm.

Finally, I wish to extend my appreciation to those who served as reviewers of papers and panels for ORWAC-WSCA 2009. The program planning I'm able to complete would not be possible without the support of individuals willing to review, chair and respond to panels. As well, I want to recognize my fellow executive officers—Bern, Stacey, Brenda, Val, and Cindy—whose support is appreciated. I sincerely enjoy working with each of you and love that our meetings are lively, productive, insightful, and filled with much laughter! As for members . . . Read-on, catch-up and see y'all soon.

In collaboration,
Michelle

BORDER TOUR - Event Sponsored by ORWAC
At the upcoming WSCA 2009 conference, ORWAC is hosting a "Keynote Speaker Panel" entitled "Mixing Metaphors of Gender, Border (In)Security, and Life on the Frontlines of U.S. Immigration Politics, Parts I & II" on Sunday, February 15 from 9:10-11:40 am. In conjunction with the Speaker panel, interested WSCA members have the opportunity to take a tour of regions of the Arizona-Sonora border on Saturday, February 14th pre-WSCA.

Kathryn Rodriguez, Coordinating Organizer for Coalicion de Derechos Humanos (www.derechoshumanosaz.net), and a featured speaker on the keynote panel, has offered to take members on a day-long trip to the border in order to see the impacts of border militarization projects, to explore the environmental damage caused by border walls, to discuss the problems facing border communities and to obtain a first-hand look at the humanitarian and grassroots political projects on the border. Rodriguez is a knowledgeable immigration and economic justice activist who is regularly featured on both local and national news programs.

The trip will leave the WSCA Conference hotel in Mesa, AZ at 7 am on Saturday February 14 and arrive at the Derechos Humanos office so as to depart Tucson, AZ by 9 am. From Tucson, participants will travel to Sasabe, and then on to Arivaca, both border communities. From there, participants will travel to Nogales (Arizona and Sonora) where they will have an opportunity to meet with activists on the frontlines. Departure from Tucson will be 5 pm, and arrive in Phoenix/Mesa by 7 pm. ORWAC will cover the cost of transportation; participants are encouraged to bring money for meals along the way. There will be no other costs to attend this event. Participants may want to bring cameras as we will have an opportunity to take pictures along the border.

This is a very unique opportunity to see border politics up close and personal with a guide who is intimately involved in border struggles. Yet, due to heightened border security measures passed by the U.S. federal government, interested individuals should ideally have a passport in order to cross into Mexico. However, a driver's license and birth certificate should enable participants to cross. Individuals not in possession of the documents are not recommended to cross the heavily militarized U.S. border.

The number of participants is limited, so to ensure your seat or obtain more information about this trip, contact Karma Chavez at karma01@unm.edu or (480) 586-5848 by January 30, 2009.

ORWAC Officers

President
Michelle A. Holling
California State University San Marcos
mholling@csusm.edu

Vice President-vacant
Secretary
Bernadette Marie Calafell
University of Denver
bcalafel@du.edu

Treasurer-Individual
Membership Director
Valerie Renegar
San Diego State University
vrenegar@mail.sdsu.edu

Web Spinner
Brenda Allen
University of Colorado, Denver
Brenda.J.Allen@cudenver.edu

Advertising Exchange
Institutional Membership
Stacey Sowards
University of Texas at El Paso
ssowards@utep.edu

WSIC Editor
Cindy L. Griffin
Colorado State University
cindy.griffin@colostate.edu

Run for Office!
ORWAC seeks to fill the position of Vice President. Self-nominations are encouraged. In brief, the Vice President will serve during the 2009-2010 year, then becoming President for the subsequent two years. A few of the VP's duties include: preparing the ORWAC newsletter, serving as reviewer, taking minutes at the business and executive meetings and attending pre-conference planning sessions for ORWAC-WSCA. Serving as Vice- President, and later President, is important to maintaining the vitality of the organization. Opportunities exist to implement desired or needed initiatives that advance the interests and mission of ORWAC. For additional information of the VP's duties interested individuals may contact Bernadette Calafell Vice-President of ORWAC at bernadette.calafell@du.edu or Michelle A. Holling, President of ORWAC at mholling@csusm.edu.

Recipients of the 2008 ORWAC Research Development Grant During ORWAC's business meeting at the 2008 WSCA conference, Michelle Holling announced the implementation of the "ORWAC Research Development Grant." Join the Executive Officers in congratulating the following recipients of the 2008 ORWAC Research Development Grant:

Megan Parker for her project "From the Front Porch to the Platform: Fannie Lou Hamer and the Rhetoric of the Black Freedom Movement."

Dr. Susan Szmania for her project "Social Support Networks Among Iraqi Refugee Women Living in Sweden"

Ms. Parker and Dr. Szmania were awarded the grants for category one (graduate students) and two (lecturers, tenure/track faculty), respectively. Following strong proposals reflecting interesting and distinctive scholarship, each scholar received $1,000.00 for research support. Our congratulations to each of them!

ORWAC Sponsored Panels at WSCA 2009
ORWAC KEYNOTE SPEAKER PANEL:
MIXING METAPHORS OF GENDER, BORDER (IN)SECURITY, AND LIFE ON THE FRONTLINES OF U.S. IMMIGRATION POLITICS, PT. I
Abstract: This is a double session panel. Invited speakers, working at the intersections of gender, sexuality, language and other identity categories, share their insights and activist experiences concerning the U.S. border militarization processes and the human impacts resulting from immigration policies. Question and answer period follows speaker presentations.

Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Karma R. Chávez, University of New Mexico

Speakers:
Isabel Garcia, Co-President, Coalición de Derechos Humanos; Pima County Public Defender
Kathryn Rodriguez, Coordinating Organizer, Coalición de Derechos Humanos
Ana Ochoa O’Leary, Mexican American Studies and Research Center, University of Arizona; Steering Committee Member, Coalición de Derechos Humanos

ORWAC KEYNOTE SPEAKER PANEL: MIXING METAPHORS OF GENDER, BORDER (IN)SECURITY, AND LIFE ON THE FRONTLINES OF U.S. IMMIGRATION POLITICS, PT. II
Abstract: During this second panel, scholars working in the area of vernacular rhetorics about im/migration and border issues will address questions regarding: What role can communication scholarship play in addressing and contributing to public and scholarly conversations about border militarization and im/migration policies? What are the ways in which scholars in the field of Communication might and/or conduct research on immigration and gender? Audience participation encouraged.

Chair: Belle Edson, Arizona State University

Panelists:
Kent Ono, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana
Karma Chavez, University of New Mexico
Michelle A. Holling, California State University San Marcos
Sara McKinnon, University of New Mexico
Fredi Avalos, California State University San Marcos; Vista Coalition for Peace, Justice and Dignity

TOP FOUR PAPERS IN THE ORGANIZATION FOR RESEARCH ON WOMEN AND COMMUNICATION
Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Stacey Sowards, University of Texas at El Paso

On a Trip to the Womb: Mixing Metaphors in Fetal Ultrasound Imaging
Charlotte H. Kroløkke, University of New Mexico

Writing Bill Clinton: A Study in Hegemonic Masculinity
Kherstin Khan, Fresno City College
Diane M. Blair, California State University, Fresno

Undermining Katie Couric: The Discipline Function of the Press
Katie L. Gibson, California State University, Long Beach

The (His)tory of (Future) Progress in the Graphics of Super Bowl XLII
Diane Keeling, University of Colorado at Boulder, *Top Student Paper

Respondent: Michelle A. Holling, California State University San Marcos

CLIMBING THE IVORY TOWER: FROM FAIRY TALE TO REALITY
Abstract: Faculty and administrators will share their experiences and present tools and strategies for goal setting and career development, while debunking a few myths along the way.

Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Suzanne McCorkle, Boise State University

Panelists:
Brenda J. Allen, University of Colorado Denver
Barbara M. Gayle, Academic Vice President, Viterbo University
Heidi Reeder, Boise State University
Pamela Lutgen-Sandvik, University of New Mexico
Jennifer Emerling Bone, Colorado State University

INSTITUTIONAL POLITICS AND THE POLITICS OF INSITUTIONS IN WOMEN’S LIVES
Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Christina Smith, Arizona State University

The Plight of the Silent Partner: An Analysis of the Rhetoric of Christian Courtship Utilizing Kramarae’s Muted Group Theory
Laura Busch, University of Texas at El Paso, *Debut Paper

Widow First, Candidate Second: Media and the Misdiagnosis of the "Widow Effect"
Allison Dolan, San Diego State University
George Dionisopoulos, San Diego State University

Why Men Love Bitches: Contradictions and Performance of Identity to "Win" a Man
Sarah Zoric, San Diego State University

In Search of the Vagina on Catholic Campuses
Amanda Denes, University of California, Santa Barbara

Respondent: Lynne Webb, University of Arkansas

RHETORICS OF FEMINISMS, GENDER & WOMEN’S IDENTITIES
Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Jennifer Malkowski, San Diego State University

"I'm Too Impatient to Wait Around for the Revolution:" Situating Valerie Solanas within Radical Feminist History
Desireé D. Rowe, Arizona State University

How to Make Love Like a Porn Star: Power Through Identity Contradictions
George Dionisopoulos, San Diego State University

Gendered Political Spectacle: Hillary Clinton’s Identification with Femininity and Voters
Michelle L. Villa, University of Texas at El Paso, *Debut Paper

Strategic Confession and Ironic Voice: Revisiting Rhetorical Resistance to the Military’s Ban on Lesbians and Gay Men
Alyssa A. Samek, University of Maryland, College Park

Respondent: Sara McKinnon, University of New Mexico

"WHAT DISTINGUISHES/OUGHT TO DISTINGUISH FEMINIST SCHOLARSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES?": REVISITING THE QUESTIONS TWENTY YEARS LATER
Abstract: Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1988 issue of Women's Studies in Communication in which feminist scholars responded to "What Distinguishes/Ought to Distinguish Feminist Scholarship in Communication Studies?," this interactive panel revisits that question. Following presentations, audience participation is desired.

Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Cindy L. Griffin, Colorado State University

Panelists (in alphabetical order):
Bernadette Calafell, University of Denver
Karma Chavez, University of New Mexico
Carole Spitzack Daruna, Tulane University
Karen Foss, University of New Mexico
Sonja Foss, University of Colorado, Denver
Marlene Fine, Simmons College
Michelle A. Holling, California State University San Marcos
Jan Muto, Kentucky Community and Technical College System
Shanara Reid-Brinkley, University of Pittsburgh

PURSUING INTERSECTIONALITY: DISCURSIVE IDENTITY FRAMINGS & NEGOTIATIONS

Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Cindy Koenig Richards, Willamette University

Crash: Intersections of Power
Christa Wegner, San Diego State University, *Debut Paper

Swingin' from the Ladies' Tee: Gendered Discourses of Women's Golf
Anne M. Bialowas, Weber State University

Making-over Women: A Transformative Look into Cultural (re)Production at a Woman’s Social Service Organization
Summer Cunningham, Arizona State University, *Debut Paper

Respondent: Stacey Sowards, University of Texas at El Paso

THE POLITICS OF SEXUALITY AND RESEARCH FOR WOMEN
Presented by the Organization for Research on Women and Communication
Chair: Susan Shimanoff, San Francisco State University

It Begins with Your Arms in His Sink, and It Ends when You Sink in His Arms: Constructions of Sexuality in the Girlfriends' Guides
San Francisco State University

"What Women Want, Romance or Sex?": The Online Discussions of Russian Female Sex-Tourism
Olga Zaytseva, University of New Mexico

Colonization of the Heart
Jessica Crespo, University of New Mexico

"'Talking Dirty': Sexual Fantasy, National Belonging, and the Abject Gaze in Lila dit ca"
Karina Eileraas, University of California Los Angeles

Inter-Woman Sexual Assault: Grounding Deconstruction
KelleyAnne Malinen, Université Laval

Respondent: Janet Cramer, University of New Mexico