Dar Williams to Play Hepburn Center Launch

Folk-pop singer/songwriter Dar Williams will bring her insightful lyrics and energetic vocals to Bryn Mawr College Friday, Sept. 8, in one of several events to launch the Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center. A long-time favorite of Bryn Mawr students, Williams will present two shows and answer questions from the audience in Goodhart Theater.

Williams was this year's number-one choice for May Day performer, but could not accept because she was on tour in Europe. Her song "As Cool as I Am" has raised the rafters of Denbigh Hall for many May Days during the Mayhole dance, a tongue-in-cheek feminist response to the traditional Maypole Dance.

The Katharine Houghton Hepburn Center is named for screen legend Katharine Hepburn '28 and her activist mother, also Katharine Houghton Hepburn, Class of 1899. The Center's mission is to challenge women to lead publicly engaged lives and to take on important and timely issues affecting women. Drawing its focus from the life work of its namesakes — film and theater, civic engagement and women's health — the Center will inspire Bryn Mawr students and graduates to make a meaningful impact on the world.

"The Hepburn Center is virtual, not a building but rather a nexus of programming," says Michelle Francl, professor of chemistry and director of planning and development for the Hepburn Center. "Besides planning the campus launch celebration, our committee has created the Hepburn Fellows program, which invites people who can bridge practice and academics to be in residence at — and contribute to — Bryn Mawr for a period ranging from days to a semester. We're seeking actors, social activists, epidemiologists and others who wouldn't be on our usual roster of visitors. We expect the presence of fellows on campus to add an exciting dynamic and an enriching experience. Students, faculty members and staff have submitted some terrific nominations, and I look forward to inviting the most promising prospects.

"The fellows are just the beginning," she says. "Additional programming will be developed next year."

The campus celebration of the Hepburn Center will feature two panel discussions and the Williams concert. All three events are open to Bryn Mawr students, faculty members and staff.

The launch weekend will open with the panel discussion "Crafting Policy to Improve Women's Health" on Friday, Sept. 8, from 2-4 p.m. Panelists will include Bryn Mawr alumnae working in a variety of health-related fields and a nationally known journalist.

A second discussion, "Reproduction and the Law, " will feature panelists distinguished for their work and their activism. It will be held Saturday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon.

A luncheon for alumnae and special guests will follow. The luncheon speaker will be stage actress Katharine Houghton, niece of Katharine Hepburn '28, discussing the legacy of the Houghton Hepburn women.

The public launch of the Hepburn Center will occur at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia that Saturday evening, where the College will commemorate the life and work of both Katharine Houghton Hepburns at a black-tie, fund-raising gala. Proceeds will benefit the Katharine Hepburn Scholarship fund, established by Katharine Hepburn '28 to honor her mother. The evening's highlights will include a gallery of images of the Houghton Hepburn women; a video tribute to the four-time-Oscar-winning actress featuring those who knew, worked with or were inspired by her; and the awarding of the Katharine Hepburn Medals by President Nancy J. Vickers to women whose lives, work and contributions embody the intelligence, drive and independence of Katharine Hepburn '28.

Further details on the weekend will be available on a new Hepburn Center Web site, which will be launched May 15.

"The goals for the launch are to generate maximum visibility for the College and to cement a permanent bond between the Hepburn name and Bryn Mawr," says Nancy Collins, director of public affairs and the primary staff planner of the Hepburn Center launch. "A powerful launch will draw attention to the substance of the Center, which in turn will spark donors in the final year of the Challenging Women campaign and will engage students long after."

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