TALKS

Laurie James is available for talks/lectures/worship services and can lead follow-up discussion. Fee negotiable. Contact her for a quote, to ask questions, or to suggest other ideas for Talks.

The Forgotten Story of The Woman’s Bible
The behind-the-scene story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's struggle to publish The Woman's Bible, covering the 19th century social, political, and religious climate that provided her motivation. Insight into the ideas presented in The Woman’s Bible, the ensuing controversy, and the split that occurred in the women's rights movement, plus Stanton's loss of friendship with Susan B. Anthony. Detail into the opposition from the public, press, women rights advocates, and the price Stanton paid for her persistence. Shows why The Woman’s Bible is still relevant and a delight to read today.

Outrageous Acts and Bible Burnings of A Couple of Friends Across the Centuries
Gives insight into the political and social climates of the 19th century that drove both Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Ramona Barth, who followed in the 20th century, to become visionary leaders of radical action. Covers the outrageous publication of Stanton's The Woman’s Bible, pointing out how Stanton followed the footsteps of powerful men who in past centuries burned the bible and also burned people who merely owned a bible at the stake. Compares Stanton's acts with those of the not-so-famous Barth who created an "Exercise in Exorcism," a symbolic burning of quotes from the bible that denigrate women. Audience members, following Stanton's and Barth's example, "exorcise" the bible – essentially an exercise in attitude re-conditioning that leads to a deeper awareness of women's history and where women are today.

The Forgotten Radical Who Laid the Groundwork for the Women’s Rights Revolution: Margaret Fuller
Covers the extraordinary life of one of America's most famous women, Margaret Fuller, struggles, personal frustrations, her friendships with Emerson, Thoreau, Hawthorne and others, her achievements, why she is forgotten, why she should be remembered, how she can serve and inspire as role model today. Margaret Fuller was doing for women what Ralph Waldo Emerson was doing for men in the 19th century.

Women’s Themes in Plays Today
Recent research has shown that the percentage of professional female playwrights whose work is produced hovers around 16% of the produced work of male playwrights. This talk points out this issue, emphasizing that it's just as important to hear the perspectives of women playwrights as to hear the perspectives of women in business or politics. The themes that women playwrights are illuminating is discussed. Selected scenes from contemporary plays On and Off Broadway are extemporaneously read by audience members as demonstration of women's work.

The Grassroots Experience: Off and On Stage with Margaret Fuller
This talk covers Laurie James' funny and true experiences in beginning a career as a grassroots actor touring throughout the USA with her one-woman show on Margaret Fuller (over 600 performances). Demonstrates that with imagination, persistence to learn from one's failures, and a strong belief in the work, it is possible to break through closed doors.