Faculty-Work-in-Progress – Invisible Women: Gabon’s ‘Empty Canon’

Gabon is unique in that its women writers have historically been predominate in creating its national literature. Despite its many milestones in this area, however, this tiny nation has not received the critical attention that other African neighbors have enjoyed. In her talk, Cheryl Toman, Associate Professor of French, examines the “herstory” of Gabon’s literature which may explain why.

Pre-lecture reception begins at 4:15 pm in Clark Hall Room 206.

Free and open to the public. 


About the Speaker:

Cheryl Toman

Cheryl Toman is an Associate Professor of French, Director of the Ethnic Studies Program, and Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Case Western Reserve University.  Her single-authored book, Contemporary Matriarchies in Cameroonian Francophone Literature (Summa, 2008) is the first comprehensive text on the history of women’s writing in Francophone Cameroon and focuses specifically on women’s empowerment and using African constructs to interpret tradition.  Defying the Global Language: Perspectives in Ethnic Studies (Teneo, 2013) is Toman’s most recent edited collection and the first publication to come out of research conducted within Case’s Ethnic Studies Program.