Contact: Kathy Johnson

The conference speakers include noted poet, teacher and activist Sonia Sanchez, Spalding University’s Sena Jeter Naslund, one of Great Britain’s premier photojournalists, Harriett Logan, and the acclaimed screenwriter Sabrina Dhawan. The conference also will feature a rare live performance by jazz great Shirley Horn.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 20, 2004) -- The University of Kentucky is inviting students from all Kentucky’s public and private colleges and universities to attend the 25th annual Kentucky Women Writers Conference March 25-27 in Lexington. The colleges and universities are being offered the opportunity to purchase scholarships for their students at a much reduced rate.

“Although the conference is held on UK’s campus and at venues in downtown Lexington, it is my pleasure to offer students throughout Kentucky the opportunity to attend,” said UK President Lee T. Todd Jr. “In this time of budgetary constraints, I feel it is important for Kentucky’s colleges and universities to work together in a spirit of cooperation to bring our students the best educational opportunities possible.”

The Kentucky Women Writers Conference speakers include noted poet, teacher and activist Sonia Sanchez, author of “Shake Loose My Skin: New and Selected Poems” and “Homegirls & Handgrenades;” Spalding University’s Sena Jeter Naslund, author of “Ahab’s Wife” and “Four Spirits;” one of Great Britain’s premier photojournalists, Harriett Logan, whose work will be displayed at the UK Art Museum and Ann Tower Gallery; and the acclaimed screenwriter Sabrina Dhawan, whose film “Monsoon Wedding” will be screened at the Kentucky Theatre in Lexington. The conference also will feature a rare live performance by jazz great Shirley Horn.

For more information about the conference and the student scholarships, call (859) 257-8734, (859) 257-6420 or e-mail kywwc@hotmail.com or visit the Web site.