Contemporary Gender Roles SIG

This OLLI Contemporary Gender Roles Shared Interest Group was started by Deborah Caine to study and explore cultural changes in the roles of men and women in the family and in the workplace and the multiple changes in gender presentation and identity exemplified in the growth of the LGBTQ+ communities; changes not always easily understood by many.

The group has grown over the last several years from three members to two dozen women and men who enjoy the lively monthly discussions on topics of urgent and current interest.

Members volunteer to lead a discussion on a topic of their choice and/or invite an outside speaker and circulate articles from major newspapers, magazines and journals that are relevant to group interests.  

The Contemporary Gender Roles group sponsored an OLLI course on the Equal Rights Amendment in 2018 which was well attended.

We meet on Zoom at 2 pm on the third Wednesday of the month. 

Check out the Contemporary Gender Roles SIG Padlet, for articles, videos, and pictures here!

For more information about this SIG, please contact Ellen Croibier.

Topics for 2024 Contemporary Gender Roles SIG

Helen Hailes: “Gaslighting in Intimate Partner Violence” on January 17

Leyn Burrows on self-defense for women vs. men on February 21

Michael Wilcox: Topic TBD on March 20

Berkshire Pride and the Elizabeth Freeman Center on April 17

Chris Canning Wilson on the role of women in the Middle East on May 15

Mal Wasserman with book review: Undaunted and/or The Exceptions on June 19

Farrah Cukor, literary rep at United Talent Agency on July 17

Linda Baxter will give a talk on midwifery on August 21

Mary Hunt, PhD on feminist theology on September 18

Chief Deanna Strout on women in criminal justice on October 16

Farah Cherif D’Ouezzan on women in Morocco on November 20

December 18 TBD