Speakers Committee
7:30 pm, Thursday
September 18   
Wanamaker Hall

In a world that puts pressure on eight-year-old girls to be “hot,” Wendy Shalit speaks for an increasing number of young women who are rejecting the female stereotypes promoted by our popular culture. Her first book, A Return to Modesty: Discovering the Lost Virtue, appeared in 1999 and won Barnes & Noble’s Independent Thinker Award.

Her second book, The Good Girl Revolution: Young Rebels with Self-Esteem and High Standards, was recently released in paperback by Random House. "This book is about my search for an alternative to our Girls Gone Wild culture," writes Shalit. "It’s about finding a way to acknowledge sexuality without having to share it with strangers. It’s about rediscovering our capacity for innocence, for wonder, and for being touched profoundly by others. My goal is not to attack those who want to be ‘wild,’ but rather to expand the range of options for young people, who I believe are suffering because of the limited choices available to them."

Shalit's blog site, ModestlyYours hosts bloggers of all ages and backgrounds whose voices are not normally heard. ModestlyYours has been called "an antidote to the vulgarity that is shoved in our faces from magazine covers, television, raunch radio, movies, and shows.... Shalit names a 'rebel of the month' on the site, choosing young women who exemplify modesty, intelligence, and integrity. They are the counterculture — and not a minute too soon." (nationally syndicated columnist Mona Sharon)

Shalit graduated from Williams College with a BA in philosophy. Her articles on cultural and literary topics have appeared in major publications including Commentary, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. Join Shalit as she explores what real intimacy is about — for both women and men — and what you can do to fight back against degrading social pressures. The program, which is free and open to the public, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 18, in Wanamaker Hall on the Principia College campus.

Click here for a complete listing of the 2008-2009 Principia Speakers Series.

Contact: Principia College Special Events Coordinator, tim.booth@principia.edu.