I Am Carmen, Hear Me Roar

A worthy panel discussion in celebration of Women’s History Month will take place March 28, 5 p.m. in the People’s United Bank Gallery at the Barnum Museum Downtown. The panelists include retired Superior Court Judge Carmen Lopez who’s been active in a number of city issues since leaving the bench several years ago, from governmental freedom of information requests to education issues to safety in public housing projects. One thing about Carmen, she’s not afraid to speak her mind.

The panel for Challenges, Choices and Change: A Discussion with Women Who Inspire Innovative Thinking will also include Dr. Jill Deupi, the founding Director and Chief Curator of the Bellarmine Museum of Art at Fairfield University; Adrienne Farrar Houël, president and CEO of Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, Inc., The Green Team; and Kathy Saint, President of the Schwerdtle Stamp Company, a fourth-generation family-owned business in Bridgeport who has been active in promoting legislation that will improve the state’s business climate.

Karen DelVecchio, director of Bridgeport Regional Business Council, will moderate the event. Questions DelVecchio will ask the panelists to explore include: What have you encountered as the greatest challenge to your efforts in advancing your particular goals and objectives? How have your successes or failures along the way changed your approach to finding solutions? What were the “light bulb” moments and why? Do you see a shift in thinking or a core change in the ‘social fabric’ (recognizing innovative women in society) that could translate into positive change on a new level?

DelVecchio will also explore “common threads” of success, and ask the panelists where they see the new directions emerging in their fields such as green businesses that seek to address both social and economic issues in poor neighborhoods.

Cost: $5 per person for admission.

To learn more about The Barnum Museum’s current programs visit: www.barnum-museum.org or call 203-331-1104.