Dr. Pamela Scully

Barbara Tedrow introduced our speaker, Dr. Pam Scully, Associate Professor of Women's Studies and African Studies at Emory University. Dr. Scully grew up in South Africa (SA), went to college and got her master's in her native South Africa and her PhD in History from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Scully talked about the issues of gender and race in the South African society and politics. She characterized SA as a country of paradoxes, encompassing great geographical, cultural and class diversity; from a country clearly divided by race and class, SA has evolved to a country with great democratic promise.

Women's rights have opened up tremendously in SA but the culture is still suffused with remnants of views of women held over from colonial society. Women move through society and act much more freely and equally in the US than in SA despite what Dr. Scully characterized as a wonderful constitution. The primary view of women is still that of caregiver. Despite growing rights and freedoms the SA culture still in many ways remains a violent and threatening one for women. It has one of the highest incidences of rape of any country - a woman is raped in SA every 23 seconds. Many are not reported and so the trend of increase or decrease is uncertain.

The current condition and direction of the new government under President Jacob Zuma is still unclear according to Dr. Scully. While the white press sees Zuma as a bad president, she counsels a wait-and-see attitude. Zuma's ability to survive the difficult process of SA politics testifies to his wiliness as a politician and his statements seem to vary to this point based on his audience. It is still unclear where he will come down on many issues, including the place of violence in the political process.

The book given to the DeKalb Library System this week in honor of our speaker was Sara Baartman and the Hottentot Venus: A Ghost Story and A Biography, co-authored by Dr. Scully.

Kelsey Kuperman, Decatur High School Rotary Scholarship recipient for 2008, and Kirby Thompson

Barbara Tedrow introduced our speaker

President Mark makes book presentation to Dr. Pam Scully

• June 2: Jon Manns
• June 4: Bill Breen
• June 10: Greg Adams
• June 10: Richard Puckett
• June 13: Bobby Atwater
• June 13: Ray Willoch
• June 14: Jack Gerlach
• June 14: Gue' Hudson
• June 16: Dan Coursey
• June 17: Bob McMahan
• June 17: B. J. Sumner
• June 18: Van Fraser
• June 19: Lauri McKain-Fernandez
• June 21: Bob Bachman
• June 22: Candler Broom
• June 22: Don Hooten
• June 24: David Ewing
• June 25: Bob Rutland
• June 26: Todd Speed

Club Announcements

Ruth McCann delivered the invocation.

President Mark reminded the club that contributions to the President's Club are lagging this year; several local charities are supported annually from this fund and less coming into the fund means that we are not able to support as many of these charities. He asked that members consider making contributions in addition to their regular payment of dues. If every member contributed an additional $25-$30, we can bring the Fund back up to its previous levels.

Welcoming Guests

Kirby Thompson introduced Kelsey Kuperman, last year's Decatur High School Rotary Scholarship recipient. Kelsey thanked the club and reported that her freshman year at UGA has been difficult but successful. Kelsey's father, Don, was also a guest of the club.

We welcomed visiting Rotarian Bishop Bevel Jones of the Atlanta Club.

Barbara Tedrow introduced her guests Sipo Mzimela and William Boley, Barbara's husband.

J.Tom Morgan introduced his guest Elizabeth Willett. Elizabeth's father Mac is a member of the Stone Mountain club.

Officers for Decatur Rotary:

President - Mark Hastings

President-Elect - Bryan Downs

Past President - David Ewing

Secretary - Vee Nelson

Treasurer - Jason Conn

Sergeant-at-Arms - Doug Torbush

District Governor - Ted Propes

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Join us! Decatur Rotary Club meets each Friday at noon at the Old Courthouse on the Square in downtown Decatur.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The four-way test of the things we think, say or do:

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

. . . . . . . . . . . . . .