Katie Lee, Liz Abzug, April Gornik, Kathleen King, And Minerva Perez To Be Featured On “Feminism Now: Issues, Ideas And Inspiration” Panel

On Friday, May 5, Pierson High School’s newly formed Women’s Issues Club (A.K.A. Feminists United Club) will present Feminism Now: Issues, Ideas and Inspiration, a panel discussion at Pierson High School in Sag Harbor.

Club President and Founder, Natalie Sepp said the program was established to “educate, enlighten and inspire both students and members of the local community on feminist-related issues.” Adding, “The Club is honored that this group of trailblazing female leaders and role models has agreed to come to our school to discuss feminism – a topic and issue we feel is still misunderstood by many. We hope this discussion will create positive dialogue and open minds.”

“The Club is thrilled and honored to be hosting such an esteemed panel of accomplished women – all East Enders – who will tackle the topic of ‘Feminism Now,'” noted Laura Perrotti, organizer of the Club’s Speaker Series and Club Parent Volunteer. “The conversation – and need for such a conversation – could not be any more relevant today than it was when women were first organizing and fighting for the right to vote.”

Liz Abzug will serve as the Feminism Now: Issues, Ideas and Inspiration keynote speaker and panel moderator, and will be joined by panelists Katie Lee, April Gornik, Kathleen King and Minerva Perez.

“As a long-time Hamptons resident, I am honored to be included in the Pierson High School’s Feminist Club event on Friday. Now more than ever, teenagers need female empowerment,” shared Lee. “I am looking forward to a spirited discussion with the students and this esteemed panel of women.”

Abzug, a Professor in Urban Studies and Women and Leadership at Barnard College /Columbia University, has dedicated her life to politics, economic and urban development and human rights. She founded the Bella Abzug Leadership Institute, a not for profit leadership training organization for young women and girls, which she named in honor of her mother Bella Abzug, who is one of the most celebrated feminists of the 20th Century.

Lee hosts The Cooking Channel’s series Beach Bites and is the co-host of Food Network’s The Kitchen. The Hamptons and Manhattan resident is an ambassador for 96 Elephants and also supports the Wildlife Conservation Society.

Gornik, an internationally revered artist who specializes in landscapes, is a champion of many East End causes, from feminism to community service to environmental issues to animal rights.

“Feminism ‘now’ is a funny concept in that, given the kinds of subtle sexism we all encounter constantly in our culture, it seems like it’ll be now and forever,” noted Gornik. “But hopefully the awareness the girls of the club have will lead to a sense of expectation and authority that will help them rise above that. After all, it’s like all other movements that have the desire for equality and respect as their essence.”

King is the founder and owner of the beloved Tate’s Bake Shop. She is deeply committed to the East End, supporting many social and environmental groups such as The Peconic Land Trust and I-Tri.

Perez, a long time Sag Harbor resident, is the Executive Director of OLA of Eastern Long Island (Organización Latino-Americana. She is a Chairperson of the Southampton Town Affirmative Action Task Force and Member of the Parrish Art Museum Education Committee.

Feminism Now: Issues, Ideas and Inspiration will take place at the Pierson High School Auditorium beginning at 7 p.m. A Meet & Greet reception with the speakers featuring cookies and treats from Tate’s Bake Shop will follow at 9 p.m.

“The students and the community are eager to learn and discuss the topic. We look forward to an evening of dynamic conversation,” added Perrotti. “You will not want to miss this event!”

Admission to Feminism Now: Issues, Ideas and Inspiration is free.

Pierson High School is located at 200 Jermain Avenue in Sag Harbor. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.