The York-based Association for Research on Mothering will focus on the challenges of being a young mother at its next conference, May 6-8, being held at the Atkinson Faulty.
The weekend gathering begins with a keynote panel discussion on Friday, May 6, 7-9pm, titled “Being a Teen Mom: Trials and Triumphs” featuring three speakers with unique perspectives. Panellists include Allison Crews, editor of www.girlmom.com and found of the National Coalition to Empower Teen Parents, Bee Lavender, co-editor of Breeder: Real Life Storeis from the New Generation of Mothers and Lindsay Kretschmer, 2003 recipient of the YMCA’s Women of Distinction Award. Tickets for the panel discussion are $10 and available separately. (See ticket and registration information below.)
Saturday’s program begins May 7, 6:30pm, with a presentation of the Lindsey Rock play “Girl Mom”, followed by a reception. Rock is a 24-year-old mom, a student at the University of Alberta and a volunteer writer-editor for a local parenting magazine. Tickets for the play and reception only are $20.
A second keynote panel on Sunday, May 8, titled “Stories and Power – Moving Towards Collective Agency”, runs from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Panellists are Deborah Davis, editor of You Look Too Young to Be A Mom: Teen mothers Speak Out on Love, Learning and Success, and Deirdre Kelly, author of Pregnant with Meaning: Teen Mothers and The Politics of Inclusive Schooling.
Workshops/Panels include topics such as empowering young mothers, challenging stereotypes and young mothers’ stories of resistance and conquest.
For complete conference program information, registration, and inquiries about vendor and sponsorship opportunities, visit the ARM conference Web site or call ext. 60366. Tickets for the Saturday keynote panel discussion ($10) and play/reception ($20) only are available from ARM by e-mail, or in person at the Toronto Women’s Bookstore and York’s School of Women’s Studies.