2001 EVENTS SCHEDULE

Robert Pinsky’s Favorite Poem Project

State College, PA, Borough Building, November 2001

Invited to read Elizabeth Bishop’s poem, One Art and present the essay I wrote celebrating the poem and Bishop’s successes as a female poet.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania Committee on Racial and Gender Bias in The Justice System

Centre County Public Hearings
State College, PA, Borough Meeting Room, October 2001

Invited by Investigative Committee to present testimony pertaining to racial, gender, class, victim, and firearm bias in domestic and sexual violence court proceedings within the judicial system of Centre County, PA, as Director of The Women of Courage of Centre County. My testimony resulted in changes in judge management of Protection From Abuse requests in Centre County, PA, and this speech was televised state-wide on The Pennsylvania Cable Network.

Evening Of Courage

State College, PA, Webster’s Bookstore, 120 S. Allen Street, October 2001

As Director of The Women of Courage of Centre County, PA (formerly the Centre County Survivor’s Council), Dora served as organizer, co-host, and opening and closing speaker/poet for The Women of Courage of Centre County’s Evening of Courage events to honor:

1. October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and

2. Centre County survivors of sexual assault and abuse.

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence 25th Anniversary Commemorative Luncheon

Harrisburg, PA, October 3, 2001

Invited speaker/poet to present to the founding members and former presidents of The Coalition my original poem Around This Table, commissioned by the Coalition to commemorate the history and spirit of the founders, and to discuss the impact of the Coalition’s 25 years of activism.

Allegheny College, in Association with Women’s Services, Inc.

Meadville, PA, October 2001

Featured poet in observation of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Pennsylvania State Maximum Security Correctional Institution for Women at Muncy

October 2001

1. Invited to speak on the issues of domestic and sexual violence and read original poetry from my first collection of poems, the scorched earth, to an audience of 200 female inmates.

2. Held a one-hour discussion on the healing power of the written and spoken word with 26 inmates involved in House of Hope program, which is designed for prisoners with severe abuse histories poetry reading.

The Butler County Annual Hestia Awards

Butler County, PA, October 2001

Dora presented the evening’s Keynote Speech: Celebration of Service for the Victim’s Outreach Intervention Coalition Awards Ceremony.

National Young Women’s Day of Action Rally

State College, PA, Webster’s Bookstore Cafe, October 2001

Invited by Penn State student leaders to speak and perform original poetry as address of feminist activism, community development and individual empowerment.

Impact of Violence Rehabilitation Programs in Pennsylvania Maximum Security Correctional Institutions for Men

Houtzdale Institution, Impact of Partner, Child, and Sexual Abuse

Dora returns to Houtzdale men’s prison to address the issues of partner and child abuse and sexual assault by performing original poetry of survivorship and healing.

Annual Association of Workers’ Compensation Professionals’ Claims Management National Conference

Captiva Island, FL, May 2001

Invited speaker to present my original speech: The New Age of Communication

Take Back The Night Rally and March

Penn State University, Steps of Old Main, April 2001 – 6:00pm

Dora represented The Women of Courage of Centre County Final as Speaker/performer during the opening rally and Concluding speaker at end of evening events

The Battered/Formerly Battered Women’s Caucus of Pennsylvania’s Statewide Vigil for Homicide Victims of Domestic Violence

The Penn Stater Conference Center, Penn State University Campus, March 2001

Hosted, by invitation of the Conference organizers, the 3-hour program to honor domestic violence homicide victims during statewide conference, speaking about domestic violence and incorporating original poetry.

The Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

Penn State University, March 2001

Invited speaker/poet to present original speech:  Domestic Violence, Literacy, and Community.

American Association of University Women

State College, PA, Autoport Restaurant, February 2001

Speech/performance: The Intersections of Domestic Violence, Literacy, and Empowerment for the AAUW’s program: A Rage To Read.