(Posted November 4, 2002)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The unique viewpoints of women's literature will be read at "Unlock Your Voice," a public coffee-house reading by Juniata College students at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 8 in the ballroom of Ellis College Center on the Juniata campus.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available.
"Women have made important contributions to our literary heritage, and many have gone unrecognized," says Judy Katz, associate professor of English at Juniata. "This program is a way to recognize and celebrate women writers and their contributions. The program also gives students a chance to work cooperatively with each other to create an exciting event."

Some of the selections for the reading include: "Your Revelation," by Sarah Jones, a piece on women in music; "Girl," by Jamaica Kincaid; "Over the Top," a poem by Fybil Bristowe; and "Ciprianita" by Juanita M. Sanchez.

The event is sponsored by Juniata's Women and Literature class and the Department of English, Communication, and Theatre Arts.

"I chose my piece because it gave me a chance to express the voice of a Latin female," says Nicole Fernandez, a sophomore from Stroudsburg, Pa., who will be reading "Ciprianita." "It reminded me so much of my grandmother that it touched me. It's about a woman talking to her deceased grandmother about memories she had of the past."

Among the Juniata College students reading selections are: Fernandez, Marissa Gunn, a sophomore from Lancaster, Pa.; Steve Knepper, a freshman from Blairs Mills, Pa.; Alcione Frederick, a sophomore from Huntingdon, Pa.; Vicki McVey, a senior from Newton Hamilton, Pa.; Raina Miller, a junior from Millington, Md.; Nancy Hayes, a freshman from Westminster, Md.; Lauren B. Smith, a junior from Reading, Pa.; Scott Kyper, a junior from Ebensburg, Pa.; Holly Lechien, a senior from Lewistown, Pa.; Stephanie Simon, a freshman from Mill Creek, Pa.; and Andrea Denkovich, a junior from Greencastle, Pa.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.