Scholars from around the country will gather at DePaul University to discuss how society's perception of women is impacted by religion and our legal system. The two-day conference, "Women, Religious Institutions and the Law," will be held September 15 and 16 at the DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Room 8005.

     Among the major issues the conference will explore is how religion influences cultural assumptions about women and, in turn, how culture impacts women's roles in religious institutions. With regard to religious institutions, panelists will discuss how women's roles are incorporated into theologies, organizational structures and models for the larger culture. For government institutions, speakers will examine what the language of the courts and legislatures reveal about our society's self-understanding and its assumptions regarding women's bodies and their lives.

     Elizabeth Schüsseler-Fiorenza, the Krister Stendahl Professor of Divinity at the Harvard University Divinity School, will provide the keynote address. Schüsseler-Fiorenza's publications and teachings focus on feminist theory and theology, critical biblical studies and interpretation of scriptures.

     Specific conference topics will include:

     · How religion has influenced cultural attitudes toward women's bodies, sexuality and families.

     · The relationship between government, law and religious institutions in their approaches to women.

     · The role of women within religious institutions.

     · How religious traditions have entered the public debate over same-sex marriage and have begun to examine its implications.

     · The consequences of encouraging government to address welfare and poverty issues, which come to bear most heavily on women and children.

     The panels will include scholars from a variety of disciplines including religion and law, as well as cultural and institutional leaders and policy advocates who work to implement and sometimes modify public and religious institutional policy on issues affecting women.

     Among the featured speakers will be:

     · Lovana S. Jones-Illinois State Representative and assistant majority leader

     · Craig B. Mousin-Director, Center for Church/State Studies, DePaul University

     · Barbara Anne Cusack-Chancellor, Milwaukee Archdiocese

     · Ruti Teitel-Law Professor, New York University Law School

     · Marie Cornwall-Sociology Professor, Brigham Young University

     · Jane Ramsey-Executive Director, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs

     · Frederick Mark Gedicks-Law Professor, Brigham Young University

     · Kenneth Poppe-Dean and Rector, Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington, Vt.

     · Mary Becker-Law Professor, DePaul University

     · Della Mitchell-National Organizer, National Campaign for Jobs & Income Support

     · Midge Wilson-Psychology professor, DePaul University

     · Mary Schaafsma--Deputy Director, Protestants for the Common Good

     · Beth Robinson-Attorney, Langrock, Sperry & Wool, Middlebury, Vt.

     DePaul's Center for Church/State Studies provides a forum for the discussion and study of critical issues involving religion, government and the law in the belief that religious individuals and organizations and the state benefit from a dispassionate, scholarly analysis of church/state legal issues. The center is nonsectarian and does not assume positions on constitutional issues or become involved in litigation.

     The conference is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. A conference dinner, which costs $60 per person, will be held at the University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe St., at 7:30 p.m. Sept 15. Call Jennifer Keplinger at 312/362-8818 to obtain reservations for the conference and/or dinner.