Women in Auburn are about to receive some international inspiration.
The Honorable Canadian Senator Celine Hervieux-Payette will visit Oct. 10-14 as a guest of the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.
"She will be speaking on pertinent social issues such as the woman's role in politics and business, and the differences between the American and Canadian cultures," said Samia Spencer, professor of French and Honorary Consul of France in Alabama.
Spencer said the senator has visited Alabama frequently in past years.
"Previous times I have invited her to the meetings of the Alabama chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French in Montgomery," Spencer said. "She has also spoken in Mobile, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa on several occasions advocating parity of men and women in the workplace."
Spencer said this will be the senator's third time in Auburn.
"I enjoy coming to this campus very much," Hervieux-Payette said. "The people here are welcoming, and now that it is fall the climate is wonderful."
Hervieux-Payette will be conducting two speeches during her visit.
"My first speech, 'Would the World be Better Governed if Women Were Equal Partners in the Decision-Making Process?,' will be presented on behalf of the Department of Women's Studies in Room 005 of Biggin Hall at 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 12," Hervieux-Payette said.
"The other, titled 'The United States and Canada: Two Neighbors, A World of Difference,' is scheduled to convene in the Student Center Ballroom on Oct. 13 at 3:30 p.m."
Spencer said the senator's visit could not come at a more appropriate time.
"Today, women in politics in our country only make up about 15 percent of the electorate," Spencer said. "We are working to figure out why this is."
Spencer said when Hervieux-Payette visited Auburn in 2002, the conference was open to all students, faculty and members of the community.
"People came from all over to hear her discuss what needs to happen in the United States to get women more involved with what goes on in their country," Spencer said.
Hervieux-Payette said many have misconceptions regarding the similarities and differences between the U.S. and Canadian cultures.
"It is often misunderstood that since the U.S. and Canada are such close neighbors, and since English is widely spoken--especially in English Canada--that our North American culture is the same of that in the U.S., but this is not so," Hervieux-Payette said. "I will discuss in my speech how different our lifestyle is in French Canada compared to that of the United States, and I hope to open people's mind to this unique way of life."
Hervieux-Payette will also be visiting business classes to discuss trade policies between the two countries.
Spencer said the senator's visit is made possible by the generosity of several organizations, including the Honors College, the College of Business, the Women's Studies Program, the College of Liberal Arts and the French Honor Society.
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