Trinity University

Susie P. Gonzalez
susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu
210-999-8445
Jun. 30, 2011

Reading TUgether Focuses on Cross Cultural Awareness and Gender Issues

For the first time, this year's summer book is a novel written from a historical framework

SAN ANTONIO - For the first time, the summer Reading TUgether program at Trinity University will feature a fictional work and a semester-opening lecture by an alumna whose work relates to the novel.

The selected book is Sarah Canary by Karen Joy Fowler. Set in 1870s Pacific Northwest, the novel chronicles the encounters of core characters with Sarah Canary, a woman who is unable to speak and only warbles like a canary. She says of Sarah Canary, "I think for science fiction readers, it's pretty obvious that Sarah Canary is an alien."

As part of the University's Welcome Week, Jin In '95, founder of 4GGL, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting gender equity globally, will deliver a keynote speech about the book and her work at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, the first day of classes at Trinity.
She will discuss gender equity as well as the Reading TUgether project.

The Reading TUgether program encourages the entire Trinity community to read a selected book over the summer and discuss it at the beginning of the school year. Incoming first-year students must complete an annotated bibliography on the book and attend the lecture. Professors are invited to discuss the book with students in fall classes.

"What makes the Reading TUgether program particularly relevant is how the selection of the book and speaker ties into the mission of our University to understand diverse cultures and perspectives as well as utilizing the gift of their education to make a positive difference in the world. It is an important mark of a liberal arts education, and the response to this program has been overwhelmingly positive," says David Tuttle, associate vice president for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Trinity.

In's lecture also will connect with the Difficult Dialogues program, started in 2005 when the Ford Foundation awarded funding to Trinity and 26 other institutions to examine controversial topics in a variety of academic settings - lectures, course assignments, and more.

"The book was chosen because it fit well with the Difficult Dialogues topic for the fall. It's nice to dovetail with that program because it continues the discussion in different ways, and Sarah Canary covers a multitude of historical issues including gender equality," says Ben Newhouse '99, associate director of Campus & Community Involvement at Trinity.

In has a strong personal tie to this year's topic. Born into a wealthy family in South Korea, she became impoverished when her father died, bankrupting the surviving female family members who were prevented by law - because of their gender - from inheriting his wealth. After graduating from Trinity, she created the first girl's leadership advisory at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. She also managed the first federal national health program that was created for and by girls; this program both received the 2001-2004 White House Award and was ranked No.1 for girls' health information by Google, MSN, Yahoo! and AOL. She has received the Luce Leadership Award from the James Jay Dudley Luce Foundation, the Global Citizenship Award for Leadership in Helping Humanity from Orphans International, and Women's Social Leadership Award from BT Executive Woman.

The Trinity campus bookstore will sell copies of Sarah Canary, and the Coates Library will have copies for loan to Trinity faculty, staff, and students. For more information, contact Trinity's Office of University Communications at 210-999-8406.

Text provided by Emily McMillan of Houston, a candidate for graduation from Trinity University in 2013 with a degree in English and religion and a minor in music. She is a summer intern in the Office of University Communications.