"Local/Global:
Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Rural Women"

Scholars from a wide variety of disciplines will consider historical perspectives in interpreting both the historical and contemporary experiences of rural women. Joining them are activists who are assisting rural women's development in locales as widespread as Hawaii and India. Local studies demonstration the reciprocal forces of global change, both in establishing economies and in developing nations. Scholars report on research done with a broad range of methodologies including traditional archival research , oral histories, and field work.

The papers reflect the broad interests of participants, from sustainable farming in Brazil to a comparison of Hmong gardening in France, Thailand, and Minnesota. Not only a history of the family farm or the "farm wife," the conference will examine rural women in a variety of settings, including small towns and on the frontiers of capitalism. Artistic interpretations of the lives of rural women, including performance art, found out approaches to gender in a rural setting.

The conference program, on-line registration forms, and information on accommodations is available at the RWSA website at http://www.uncp.edu/rwsa/.

Additional inquiries about the conference registration should be addressed to Jennefer Hill, Minnesota Historical Society, at jennefer.hill@mnhs.org. Questions about the Rural Women's Studies Association can be directed to Ann McCleary at amcclear@westga.edu.