The College of Charleston will host a film screening of Vision on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 to raise money for the Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) Program. The film is free and open to the public, however donations will be accepted to benefit the WGS program. A dessert reception, followed by the screening will be held in room 235 of the Robert Scott Small Building (175 Calhoun Street) at 6 p.m. The film is in German with English subtitles.
Vision tells the story of the amazing life of the 12th century nun, Hildegard of Bingen. The film depicts Hildegard’s determination to expand the responsibilities of women within the Benedictine order, as she fends off outrage from the church over the visions she claims to receive from God. The film captures Hildegard as a forward-thinking pioneer of faith, change and enlightenment.
Sarah E. Owens, Associate Professor of Spanish at the College of Charleston says, “The film shows that women were leaders, not just today in the 21st century, but back in the 12th century. I hope this film encourages community members to take a step back and look at Hildebrand alongside other great women in European history to see that she was not alone. Actually, there is a long history of women who had to fight their way alongside their male peers (think Margaret Thatcher, Cleopatra, Joan of Arc, and Queen Elizabeth). The film highlights many of Hildegard’s achievements, like her composition of Gregorian chants, her talents as a playwright, and her knowledge of holistic healing.”
Coffee and desert will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the film screening at 6:30 p.m.
The movie is free but money will be collected for those who would like to give something small. All the money goes back to the Department of Women’s Studies to pay for future guest speakers and events.
For more information contact Sarah E. Owens, Ph.D at 843.953.7186 or OwensS@cofc.edu.
