Jessica Valenti, named one of the top 100 inspiring women in the world by the Guardian, will present the talk “The Purity Myth” at 7 p.m., Monday, March 19, in the Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.
In her presentation, Valenti will explore whether America’s obsession with virginity is damaging to young women and whether the abstinence movement reveals a larger need for young women to take an activist stance in changing the conversation surrounding female sexuality.
Founder of feministing.com, a leading online feminist blog and activist platform, Valenti is the author of “Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman’s Guide to Why Feminism Matters;” “He’s a Stud, She’s a Slut and 49 Other Double Standards Every Woman Should Know;” “The Purity Myth: How America’s Obsession With Virginity is Hurting Young Women;” and most recently” Why Have Kids: A New Mom Explores the Truth About Parenting and Happiness.” She also has been published in the Washington Post, the Guardian, the Nation, Ms. and Salon.
Known for her wit and candid critiques, Valenti has been a featured guest on the Today show, the Colbert Report, Anderson Cooper Live, MSNBC, CNN and many other media outlets.
“Students have been asking us to bring Valenti to campus for years,” said Kelly Finley, lecturer and undergraduate advisor in Women’s & Gender Studies. “This series has featured some of the biggest names in feminism, and she is definitely among them. Her modern and sophisticated cultural critique is couched in a dry wit that is not only enlightening, but it is also inspiring. She has energized many young Americans to get involved, to use their voice.”
As the 2013 Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST) annual guest speaker, a series now in its seventh year, Valenti joins previous guests Gloria Steinem, Anita Hill, bell hooks, Naomi Wolf, Patricia Hill Collins and Jackson Katz. The WGST Annual Guest Speaker series is sponsored by the Chancellor’s Diversity Challenge Fund, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Women’s Programs, the Multicultural Resource Center, the Counseling Center, and the Iota, Iota, Iota Honor Society.