The Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies and the Jeannette Rankin Foundation will host a community conversation on Saturday, March 11 at the University of Georgia’s Special Collections Library. This community conversation is sparked by artist Alice Woodruff’s recent exhibition Warrior Women: From Invisible to Formidable One Hundred Strong depicting the stories and experiences of one hundred formidable women. 

At the event, a selection of the sculptures from the Warrior Women exhibition will be on display starting at 1PM. After a brief lecture by Woodruff at 2PM, a panel featuring Patricia Richards, Professor of Sociology and Women’s Studies and director of UGA’S Institute for Women's; Joan Prittie, Executive Director of Project Safe Domestic Violence Center and Instructor in UGA’s Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership and the Masters in Public Administration program; and Tracy Brown, the subject of one of Woodruff’s Warrior Women sculptures and Shelter Coordinator for the Athens Area Homeless Shelter (AAHS), will explore themes from the exhibition.

Woodruff began her professional artistic career as a production potter. After twenty-four years, she switched gears and became a nurse practitioner specializing in neurosurgery and spine rehabilitation. In the 1990s, she returned to her love of clay, with an emphasis on sculpture. Her work reflects personal challenges as well as the historical and current traumas, trials and successes experienced by women worldwide.

“This is a unique opportunity to explore issues facing women through the lens of sculpture,” said Sheryl Vogt, director of the Russell Library. “We are honored and excited to host this important community event during Women’s History Month.”

The warrior women community conversation will be held Saturday, March 11 from 1 – 4PM at the Richard B. Russell Building, Special Collections Libraries, University of Georgia 300 South Hull Street, Athens, GA. The artist and panelists will participate in a Q&A with the audience. A light reception will follow.