University of Virginia Library

Panelists Discuss Women's Role In Society

By SUZY LAWSON

"Today is a great time to be a woman."
Voiced by Karen Kincannon, this
statement reflects the attitude taken by
many at the women's forum in the
Rotunda Tuesday night.

The forum, titled "Frailty Is Thy Name
Woman?" was moderated by Cheryl
Furey, chairman of Student Council's
Women's Committee, which sponsored the
panel discussion.

The main objective of the forum,
according to Miss Furey, was to show that
woman has changed since Hamlet said to
Ophelia: "Frailty, thy name is woman."

Questions discussed included "Are you
glad you're a woman?" "What is to become
of the housewife and mother, especially
when they conflict with a career?" "What
good is education going to do us?" and
such topics as the major qualities of being a
woman and Women's Lib.

Panelists, were Carol Gates, director of
Charlottesville's Women's Lib Chapter and
wife of Asst. Dir. of Counseling, Center
Asst. Director Thomas J. Gates; Mrs.
Kincannon, attorney with the Virginia Bar;
and Esther Houston Vassar, Lane High
School teacher and former University
student.

Mrs. Gates spoke on "defending herself
as a woman."

"How can I share myself as a person as
well as a mother and wife?" was the central
question of her talk.

She does not see herself in a role as a
wife and mother, she said.

Mrs. Gates believes women should be
able to choose actively what they want,
not what they should, in all aspects of their
lives, including their roles.

"We are not sharing ourselves, we are
sharing our roles," Mrs. Gates declared.

"The generation ahead of us has the
attitude that today women live in a man's
world. However, the attitude of our peer
group is more liberal," Mrs. Kincannon
contended.

"I am optimistic that civil rights laws
and people's attitudes will change the view

Photo By Saxon Holt

Women Voice Questions And Opinions

As One Panelist Summed It Up, "It's A Great Day To Be A Woman."

that women have in a "man's world."

Speaking about women's education
Mrs. Kincannon said "Women are not
prepared in a small liberal arts women's
school; for training for the professions,
women must go to a different type of
school."

About 50 women - Assoc. Dean of
Students, Annette Gibbs, and the
President's wife, Mrs. Edgar F. Shannon -
attended.