Women of Vision(s): Social Activism Through Mystical Experience -
A panel at the NWSA (National Women's Studies Association) 2005
Conference, June 9-12 in Orlando, Florida. For more information on the conference, visit http://www.nwsa.org.

This panel is seeking presenters who are interested in exploring the life/experiences/social activism of female mystics and/or visionaries, both historical and fictional.

The panel currently has two presenters, one of whom will examine the
life of Catherine of Siena, a 14th century Italian visionary who experienced
visions and used her literal visions to fuel her metaphoric vision of
what society could and should be. She further used her mysticism as an
authority for the social activism in which she engaged.

The other panel examines the use of the female mystic visionary in
contemporary popular visual culture (film and television), specifically
in relation to the television show "Angel." This paper looks at how
female visionary characters are used within contemporary society to enact
social change and how female mysticism is used as a source of authority and
power.

Any and all presentation proposals which speak to the themes of female
visionaries and social activism are welcome. Special consideration
will be given to proposals focusing on a time period or figure separate from
the two above described presentations.

Please send an abstract of no more than 500 words to Tamy Burnett at
tburnett2@unlnotes.unl.edu by April 6, 2005.