The Hidden History of Sam Spade and Crystal Eastman

Wednesday, 4 November 2009 | 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Faculty Lounge | McGinley Center | Rose Hill Campus

Fordham University invites you to discover the hidden history of the woman behind the ACLU and the hard-boiled detectives she inspired.

Presenters:
Amy Aronson, Ph. D., assistant professor of communication and media studies
Leonard Cassuto, Ph. D., professor
of English

History has almost forgotten one of its most influential progressives: a seminal force in the founding of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who was an early 20th century journalist, entrepreneur, activist, attorney and woman.

Powerful women can also be found in the shadows of the 20th century's classic hard-boiled detective story. The real who-done-it is how the male authors of this genre derived their domestic themes from women's writing of a century earlier. The surprise ending is that the American crime novel can consequently be read as a commentary on the social reform movements that those women readers and writers initiated—reform movements like the ACLU!

Reception and audience awards to follow.

Audience Awards
12 faculty members will receive a copy of the book Interdisciplinary Research: Process & Theory.
All attending faculty members will be entered for the opportunity to submit a request for research funds up to $1,000 in support of an interdisciplinary research agenda.
12 students will receive a $50 Barnes & Noble Gift Card in support of their continued scholarship.