Rosalind Chait Barnett to Receive Anne Roe Award

Rosalind Chait Barnett, director of the Community, Families & Work Program at Brandeis University, will receive the 2008 Anne Roe Award from the Harvard Graduate School of Education on Monday, November 17. The biennial award was established in 1979 to honor Anne Roe, the first woman tenured at Harvard in 1963, and also a leading researcher on career development and women.

"I am extremely excited and grateful to be the recipient of the 2008 Anne Roe Award and look forward to the lecture on November 17," Barnett said.

HGSE Dean Kathleen McCartney will present Barnett with the award at the Askwith Lecture Hall for her contributions to the field of education. "Rosalind Barnett has played an extraordinary role in dispelling conventional 'wisdoms' about the capability and capacity of girls and women," McCartney said. "Her rigorous research has challenged some of our cultures most entrenched and harmful gender stereotypes."

Barnett will follow with a lecture entitled "Women's Journey Toward Equality: Where We are and the Path Ahead," in which she will focus on how traditional gender roles are relaxing, subsequently freeing women to engage more fully in life outside the home. She also plans to discuss men's family and work roles, women's multiple roles, quality of marital relationships, and what the future holds for women's equality.

Barnett's work and research has significantly contributed to women's professional growth and the field of education. She has published numerous articles and seven books including the Same Difference: How Gender Myths Are Hurting Our Relationships, Our Children, and Our Jobs coauthored with Caryl Rivers. Additionally, Barnett is currently collaborating with the Harvard School of Public Health, and Catalyst and Work/Family Directions on various research projects.