Armstrong State University Lecturer of Criminal Justice Maxine Bryant, Ph.D., has been selected to speak at the 2017 Women and Girls in Georgia Conference on Justice and Resistance in Athens, Ga. on Nov. 11.
 
The conference will focus on the results of female-based research studies and highlight grassroots efforts to empower women against violence, academic underrepresentation, the justice system and other societal challenges. Bryant will speak as a panelist on the topic, “I Am Visible: I Hurt,” which focuses on the post combat-like symptoms women with childhood trauma of abuse, poverty or other frightening experiences demonstrate and the subsequent illegal actions they engage in.
 
“Women are the fastest growing population behind bars,” says Bryant. “Through this conference, I hope to network, add to the knowledge base of my peers and learn ways to prevent more women from being imprisoned.”
 
Armstrong Gender and Women's Studies Program graduate Irena Bolden will also present “Stop the Violence Against Women and Girls---Can We Be Better?” in the Resisting Violence and Silence category.
 
Since 2007, the Women and Girls in Georgia Conference, in conjunction with the University of Georgia’s Institute for Women’s Studies, has joined together academics, activists and community leaders for discussions and workshops on topics that affect women, including violence, health and well-being, politics, the economic crisis, the arts and sustainability.