(Posted October 29, 2001)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Poetry and prose written by women will be the focus of "Unlock Your Voice," a public coffee-house reading by Juniata College students at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 in the ballroom of Ellis College Center on the Juniata campus.

The program is free and open to the public.

"The 'Unlock Your Voice' program is a great way for students to share works they love with a very receptive audience," says Judy Katz, professor of English at Juniata. "Since the readers themselves choose the works they are going to read, there's always an interesting mix of writers and themes and attitudes, from works that are very frank and funny to those that are wrenching in their sadness. I always come away feeling uplifted by the energy and passion of the readers, and the diverse voices they bring to life."

Some of the selections for the reading include: "Mirror," a poem by Sylvia Plath; "Every Woman," by an unknown writer; "Women over Bay City," a poem by Janet Kauffman; and several poems by Emily Dickinson.

The event is sponsored by Juniata's Women and Literature class and the Department of English, Communication, and Theatre Arts. It is co-sponsored by the English Club, United Cultures of Juniata College, and Alternate Ways of Loving.

Juniata College students reading selections are: Jessica Shenker, a freshman from Mercer, Pa.; Jillian Davis, a sophomore from Worthington, Ohio; Janine Dudash, a junior from Huntingdon, Pa.; Kent Black, a sophomore from Lamar, Pa.; Denique Conner, a sophomore from Rochester, N.Y.; Reana Gates, a junior from Millheim, Pa.; Ali Finley, a freshman from Warren Pa.; Lucy Hammel, a sophomore from Williamsburg, Pa.; Cory Kelso, a senior from Newville, Pa.; Katie Denton, a junior from Gloucester City, N.J.; Leah Dobrowolsky, a senior from Portage, Pa.; Lindy Fetter, a sophomore from Everett, Pa.; and Gretchen Stull, a sophomore from Waynesboro, Pa.

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