‘When We Were Free to Be’ – Marlo Thomas’ iconic book topic of Rice lecture Nov. 12

MEDIA ADVISORY

David Ruth
david@rice.edu
713-348-6327

Jeff Falk
jfalk@rice.edu
713-348-6775

‘When We Were Free to Be’ – Marlo Thomas’ iconic book topic of Rice lecture Nov. 12

HOUSTON – (Oct. 28, 2014) – Cultural historian Lori Rotskoff will discuss how a 1972 children’s record, book and TV special by actress and social activist Marlo Thomas, “Free to Be,” still speaks to families today as part of Rice University’s Gray/Wawro Lecture Series Nov. 12.

Credit: Rice University's Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality

Co-presented by Rice’s Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality and the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston’s Jewish Book and Arts Fair, the talk is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Who: Lori Rotskoff, a cultural historian and co-editor of the recent anthology “When We Were Free to Be: Looking Back at a Children’s Classic and the Difference It Made.”

What: Gray/Wawro Lecture Series talk on “When We Were Free to Be: Looking Back at a Children’s Classic and the Difference It Made.”

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12.             

Where: Rice University, Duncan Hall, McMurtry Auditorium, 6100 Main St.

According to event organizers, Thomas’ groundbreaking “Free to Be” captured the spirit of the growing women’s movement and inspired girls and boys to challenge stereotypes, value cooperation and respect diversity.

Featuring a prologue by Thomas, Rotskoff’s “When We Were Free to Be” gives an unprecedented insiders’ view by the creators, activists and educators who changed the landscape of childhood and highlights how “Free to Be” still speaks to families today, organizers said.

Through the support of Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro, this lecture series recognizes health as a matter of physical and social well-being and highlights gender as a key factor determining opportunity and quality of life. Each lecture brings to Houston a leading scholar whose work inspires deeper understanding of the gender features that underlie urgent health concerns and fosters public conversation that can prompt informed action toward a more just world.

The event is free and open to the public. Due to limited seating, RSVPs are required.  RSVP to rsvpcswgs@rice.edu. For a Rice University map and parking information, visit rice.edu/parking.

Members of the news media who want to attend should RSVP to Jeff Falk, associate director of national media relations at Rice, at jfalk@rice.edu or 713-348-6775.

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Related materials:

Rotskoff bio: http://lorirotskoff.com