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On Aug. 28, members of the Mills community gathered in the Mills Hall living room to celebrate Daphne Muse, professor and direc- tor of the now-canceled Women’s Leadership Institute, whose many titles throughout her life have included writer, educator, social commentator and civil rights activist. Though Muse’s departure from Mills was bittersweet for many stu- dents and faculty members, the crowd was all smiles at her farewell celebration, “The Fruits of Summer,” and many used the occa- sion as an opportunity to honor Muse’s many professional and per- sonal contributions to the college. The packed crowd whose num- bers were a clear testament to Muse’s profound impact on the Mills community snacked on fruit pie and mounds of figs, mangoes, berries and grapes on one of the warmest days of the year as they gathered to give Muse a memo- rable send-off. “Daphne really represents for us in the College a connection to the community, a connection to the world and linkages to the institu- tion as it is now, and as it was to our alumnae and our friends,” said Mills President Janet Holmgren. “We are going to be a less rich place for not having Daphne here every single day doing the terrific work that she has done for us.” Holmgren recalled how Muse was one of the first people to knock on her door when she became pres- ident in 1991. She confronted the brand new president about Mills’ lack of diversity and community engagement, sparking the college’s push towards becoming a more diverse institution. “I was very glad to meet this feisty, formidable woman who car- ried Mills in her heart but also car- ried a vision for Mills that was big- ger than any of its parts, and bigger than its present and past,” Holmgren said. Volume 94 Number 02 www.thecampanil.com Keeping in time with the Mills community since 1917 Sept. 14, 2009 Monday Bill Issel on the air see Leadership page 3 Discussion in October with women in politics Rashida Harmon FEATURES EDITOR Kim Harris NEWS EDITOR Beloved icon Daphne Muse leaves Mills College Visiting Professor of History Bill Issel was a guest on KQED Radio to discuss the San Francisco General Strike of 1934. Issel, along with fellow experts on the subject Dick Meister and Harvey Schwartz, was part of the Forum with Michael Kransy on KQED, which was pre-recorded and aired on Labor Day. The San Francisco General Strike took place between Jul. 16 and Jul. 19 1934, after a long peri- od of strikes by dockworkers along the Pacific coast. On Jul. 5, a day which later became known as “Bloody Thursday,’’ two protesters were shot and killed by police. The funeral and demonstration that fol- lowed inspired more unions to join the strike, and the city of San Francisco shut down for four days before agreements were made. “This was a huge event,” said Issel, emphasizing the importance of this strike in California’s labor history. Issel, who has been a union member since he was a young man working as an electrician, said he is interested in social justice, political power and public policy. His research reflects his concern for workers rights and human rights in the face of globalization. “My current writing focuses on the ways in which two great inter- national political/social/ideological competitors, the Catholic Church and the Communist Party, conduct- ed a worldwide competition to win ‘the hearts and minds’ of men and women from the late 19th century to the end of the Cold War,” said Issel. Cuba exhibit opens at Art Museum History professor a guest on KQED Mujeres Unidas hosted the opening reception of Mills College trustee Vivian Stephenson’s photo exhibit Cuba: Beauty and Decay to a diverse crowd on Sept. 3. The exhibit is on display at the Mills Art Museum, where it will run until Dec. 13. Mujeres Unidas, a student-run organization created to serve the needs of the Chicana- Latina population on campus, host- ed the event as part of Latina Heritage Month. The photographic journey spans a 400-year history of Stephenson's native Cuba, show- casing the history of its first seven colonial towns. The collection of black and white photographs are accompanied by dates and descrip- tions of each photograph, written by Mills Professor Carlota Caulfield, who has taught courses in Spanish and Spanish-American studies at Mills since 1992. Caulfield, also a Cuban native, walked one hundred excited stu- dents, professors, alumni and com- munity members through the exhibit. “Writing the text was writing a part of my life, it was returning to my history. Each [photograph] has its own history,” Caulfield said as she looked at the photographs. “It is a celebration of La Havana, Trinidad and Sancti Spiritus.” The photographs depict struc- tures built from the early 16th cen- tury to the 19th century; the build- ings all contain North American, Italian and Spanish architectural influences, which demonstrate the cultural uniqueness of not only the buildings but of the time periods in which they were created. For instance, the photograph entitled “The Capitol 1929,” taken in 2002 by Stephenson, resembles the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. but is located in the old village of San Cristobal de La Habana. Some students present said the exhibit's reception gave them a sense of cultural pride. “I felt good and identified,” said senior Angelica Arechiga. “It is an exhibition I can relate to with other Hispanic students like myself.” Arechiga appreciated how many different cultures have left their mark on Cuba, leaving behind architecture that is now part of the country’s history. To Arechiga, the diverse cul- tures captured in the photographs mirrored what she called the “many different backgrounds present at the reception.” Stephenson was unable to attend the event, but her collection of photographs was welcomed with enthusiasm. “I am flattered that Stephenson chose our Art Museum to display her photos. I think it is an honor,” said Yuritzy Gomez, President of Mujeres Unidas. “I think she knew that Mills College students would appreciate them, and the turnout showed that we did.” On Oct. 12, legendary journalist Helen Thomas and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Oakland) will come to Mills College to discuss presidential leadership and insights from the White House. The talk will take place from 7 - 8:30 pm in the Concert Hall. The event, entitled “Listen Up, Mr. President: An Insider's View of Leadership,” will feature excerpts from Thomas' new book Listen Up, Mr. President. Copies of Lee's book Renegade for Peace and Justice will also be available for signing. Thomas has worked in political journalism for almost 60 years, having reported on the administra- tions of ten presidents and known for her famous closing line of “Thank you, Mr. President,” which she first said to President John F. Kennedy. She became the first female to serve as a White House bureau chief for a news wire when she earned the position for United Press International in 1974, the first female member of the White House Correspondents Association and the first female officer of the National Press Club. Thomas has authored five books, the latest of which is Listen Up, a primer for presidents based on observations and examples of past presidents. It is coauthored by Craig Crawford. According to Thomas' website, the book also tells the American people what they should look for and expect Stephanie Sapin CONTRIBUTING WRITER Lupe Cazares STAFF WRITER UPCOMING LATINA HERITAGE MONTH FACULTY Issel see page 3 LUPE CAZARES see Muse page 3 Professor of Spanish and Spanish American Studies, Carlota Caulfield
