This year is the 165th anniversary of the birth of Flora Stone Mather. Mather, born in 1852, was not able to attend university, but nonetheless became an ardent advocate for women’s education and for social justice, as well as a generous donor to a wide variety of institutions in her native Cleveland. To honor her, the Flora Stone Mather Professorship was endowed by the alumnae of the former College for Women (renamed the Flora Stone Mather College in 1931) at Western Reserve University (now CWRU), and it is my honor to be the current holder of the Flora Stone Mather Professorship. These same alumnae helped to establish and to fund the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women.
As reported in The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, Flora Stone Mather was born on April 6, 1852, and died on January 19, 1909. She was
“a philanthropist dedicated to Cleveland religious, educational, and social-reform activities. Flora Amelia Stone, youngest daughter of AMASA STONE† and Julia Gleason Stone, was born in the family mansion on Superior Avenue and graduated with honors from CLEVELAND ACADEMY. In 1875 her sister, Clara, married JOHN HAY† in 1881. Flora married SAMUEL MATHER†. Their children were Samuel Livingston, Amasa Stone, Philip Richard, and Constance (later Mrs. Robt. Bishop).
“In 1896, Mrs. Mather founded Goodrich House in honor of her childhood pastor, Rev. Wm. H. Goodrich, also supporting its outgrowth activities, including the LEGAL AID SOCIETY OF CLEVELAND and CONSUMERS LEAGUE OF OHIO. Mrs. Mather supported many activities of Western Reserve University, including the Advisory Council, College for Women (renamed Mather College in her honor in 1931), and Adelbert College. In 1892 she constructed Guilford Cottage (later Guilford House), a dormitory on campus named in honor of her former teacher, LINDA T. GUILFORD†. She gave funds in 1902 to construct Haydn Hall, in honor of Dr. HIRAM C. HAYDN† of Old Stone Church, to which Mrs. Mather belonged for her entire lifetime. Mrs. Mather died in 1909 at Shoreby, the family’s lakeshore home in BRATENAHL. Her will included bequests to over 30 religious, educational, and charitable institutions, including funds to complete AMASA STONE CHAPEL on the WRU campus, which she and her sister, Mrs. John Hay, gave in memory of their father. In 1913, a women’s dormitory, named Mather House in her honor, was given to the university by alumnae and friends.”
I hope everyone continues to enjoy the last few days of Spring Break!
Cheers,
Karen
Karen Beckwith, Flora Stone Mather Professor
Chair, Department of Political Science, Case Western Reserve University
General Announcements
- The Journal of Politics and International Affairs is accepting undergraduate papers on topics related to political science, public policy, economics, international studies, and more. The deadline is March 31.
- Walsh University is accepting papers and posters relating to politics for the upcoming All Politics is Local conference. Registration is due April 7.
- Stay up to date with the department by following our Twitter feed! Check it for day to day opportunities and information!
- Like us on Facebook! Our department will be regularly posting events, opportunities, and general information to our page!
Events
Friday Lunch: Energy Storage: A Key to Sustainability
March 24, 12:30-1:30p.m., KSL Dampeer Room
Join Chemistry Professor Daniel A. Scherson in discussing the challenges in storing energy for future use, as well as current progress and possible solutions.
Cleveland Humanities Festival
March 18-April 24
The theme of this year’s festival is immigration and will feature lectures, exhibits, films, tours, plays, and academic symposia.
A Future That Belongs to Us All
March 21, 12:00p.m., Trinity Cathedral
Join Michael J. Sandel, Ph.D., Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Professor of Government at Harvard University, for a conversation on the most significant moral and political issues of our time.
Artist as Activist: The Green Book and Artist Imani Roach
March 21, 6:00-7:15p.m., TVUC Senior Classroom
Emerging artist Imani Roach will discuss Havens, her new exhibit at SPACES. Deidre McPherson, curator of Public Programs at MOCA Cleveland, will moderate the conversation and examine how artists can use their talents to make personal and public statements for social change.
The Impact of State Budget Cuts on Northeast Ohio Communities
March 21, 7:00-8:30p.m., Cuyahoga County Public Library Parma-Snow Branch
The state budget has been cut recently. This lecture examines the impact of those cuts on the communities of Northeast Ohio.
Weatherhead Economics Society presents: Trumponomics
March 22, 6:00-8:00p.m., Peter B. Lewis Building, Room 203
Join Weatherhead Economic Society on Wednesday, March 22 in PBL room 203 in discussing the economic effects of Trump Administration’s policies with Case Western Reserve University faculty members.
Food Chains
March 22, 7:30-9:30p.m., Strosacker Auditorium
This film portrays the struggles farmworkers in Immokalee, Florida, while they launch a hunger strike at the headquarters of Publix supermarkets to protest their poor wages and working conditions.
Fear and Silence in Burma and Indonesia
March 23, 11:30-12:45p.m., TVUC Senior Classroom
This lecture will discuss the comparative case analysis of two historic national tragedies in Southeast Asia: one in Burma, the other in Indonesia. The two case studies illuminate how the social and political landscape, following traumatic events, can be shaped to allow victims of trauma to thrive, rather than recede into silence.
Social Entrepreneurship: When Social Mission and Market Forces Meet
March 23, 12:30-2:00p.m., Mandel Community Studies Center, Room 115
Learn more about Northeast Ohio’s most successful social entrepreneurships from the people who founded them at this “lunch-and-learn” panel discussion.
Improvising IRS Charity Oversight: Responsible Congressional Delegation, Responsive IRS Rulemaking
March 23, 4:30-5:30p.m., Moot Courtroom
This lecture will clarify how the accusations on the professional integrity and political bias of the IRS are unfair or at the least deeply misguided.
Behemoth
March 23, 6:45p.m., Cinematheque
This Chinese documentary depicts the human and environmental destruction caused by coal mining in Inner Mongolia. Age 25 and under tickets are $7.
Covering Politics in the Trump Era
March 23, 7:00p.m., Happy Dog Euclid Tavern
The City Club of Cleveland and The Happy Dog present a panel discussion with local media on covering politics in the Trump era.
Drug Problems: Is there a solution to Ohio’s Opioid Crisis?
March 24, 12:00p.m., The City Club
This conversation will focus on possible solutions to Ohio’s current opioid epidemic and how to save future generations from addiction. Nonmember tickets are $35.
Whose Country Is This? Undocumented Migrant Children and Youth in the United States after the 2016 Presidential Election
March 28, 4:30-6:00p.m., TVUC Ballroom A
Following the 2014 surge of Central American and Mexican children across the U.S.-Mexican border and the 2016 election of a president committed to ending illegal immigration, Professor Susan Terrio of Georgetown University charts the ongoing legal, political and social challenges they face after apprehension by immigration authorities and release into U.S. communities.
Employment Opportunities
AmeriCorps VISTA Program at CityLink Center
VISTA stands for Volunteers in Service to America and provides an opportunity for individuals to commit to a year of service in a non-profit agency with exposure to multiple different social services. CityLink is seeking eager young professionals who are interested in building the capacity of our current programs to serve more clients and empower volunteers, while confronting the issue of poverty within the city of Cincinnati.
Internship and Fellowship Opportunities
FairVote
FairVote is one of the nation’s leading election reform organizations. With strong support from interns and a national network of volunteers, FairVote’s hard-working and energetic staff advances our mission: achieving “the way democracy will be.” This internship is located in Washington, D.C.
Conservation Summer Internship
The Conservation Intern will work with our Conservation staff to help create healthy communities through land conservation and restoration. This is a paid internship.
Center for Policy Advocacy Internship
Interns will work with the Government Affairs and Campaign programs. Project topics may include legislative research and memo writing. This is a paid internship and takes place in Washington, D.C.
Center for Strategic and International Studies
A variety of research internships are available associated with Asian and Middle East programs.
The Tim Russert Fellowship
The Tim Russert Fellowship will be awarded to one motivated, passionate graduating senior interested in pursuing a career in political journalism. The Fellowship is a one-year, paid position in the NBC News Washington, D.C. Bureau. The fellow will work on a rotational basis in several areas of the Washington Bureau including “Meet the Press” and the NBC News Political Unit.
A Little Extra…
- Governor John Kasich wrote an op-ed piece in The New York Times, “End the Partisan Warfare on Health Care.”