Jan. 15, 2002

Contact: Hong Xiao (509-963-2227/fax 509-963-1308/e-mail: xiaoh@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Veils, seclusion and exotic belly dancers are among the images that many Americans hold of women in the Middle East. However, women’s opportunities in Middle Eastern countries are far more varied and complex, ranging from militant freedom fighters in Palestine, to high governmental ministers and former doctors in Afghanistan, to savvy cheese sellers on Egyptian streets.

So says Dr. Paula Holmes-Eber, a visiting lecturer in anthropology and Middle East studies at the University of Washington. She will present “Unveiling the Myths: Women in the Middle East Today” at Central Washington University, Thursday, Jan 17. from 3 to 5 p.m. in Grupe Center on the Ellensburg campus.

“This talk will explore the complexity of women’s roles in the Middle East and the economic, political and social opportunities and challenges facing Middle Eastern women today,” Holmes-Eber says.

The colloquium is co-sponsored by the CWU women studies program and the university sociology, anthropology and philosophy departments. For more information, or for persons of disability to make arrangements for reasonable accommodations, call (509) 963-2408 or (for the hearing impaired) TDD (509) 963-3323.