Greenfield Community College

Over 60 percent of Americans support abortion access, but last year constitutional abortion rights were overturned and many states now ban abortion in most circumstances. States with high levels of gerrymandering and voter suppression are the same states that have banned abortion and in other ways limit women’s rights—these states also have highly male-dominated legislatures. In this talk, Smith College Professor Carrie Baker will argue that democracy and women’s rights are intimately intertwined, that women’s rights and representation are a barometer of democracy, and the erosion of women’s rights is a canary in the coal mine of a dying democracy. Free and open to the public.

Throughout the history of humanity and within every known culture has been the concept of the soul—and yet over the last century or so, its value has lost much ground. For many people the idea of the soul, the essence of “who” they are resonates deeply and yet has been significantly diminished by the medical model of mental health and addiction. This presentation will bring the concept of the soul back to the forefront of discussion in how we conceptualize ourselves and others as well as the concept of soul exhaustion. Soul exhaustion takes a deeper exploration of life circumstances such as poverty, adverse childhood experiences, racism, trauma, loss and burnout and the holistic impact it has on “who” we are. When looking through the lens of soul exhaustion, we also must shift our thoughts on solutions to address the soul, spirit or essence of “who” we are. Soul care, which has emphasis on non-clinical resources, goes deeper into understanding the ways in which we care for the “who.” This presentation also explores how the concept of Soul Exhaustion and Soul Care can work in harmony with the medical model of mental health, substance use disorders and suicide prevention. Presented…

GCC and community partners host a series of public conversations about loneliness and its impact on Franklin County residents—our community, our schools, our human service organizations, our faith-based institutions, our health care providers, and our lives. In May of 2023 U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared loneliness a public health epidemic: "Our epidemic of loneliness and isolation has been an underappreciated public health crisis that has harmed individual and societal health." Loneliness increases the likelihood of premature death by 26%; 71% of adolescents and young adults report experiencing loneliness versus 50% for those 80 and older; and evidence suggests loneliness contributes significantly to mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety. It has even been surmised that loneliness has an impact on our capacity to function as a democracy. As the political divide grows and loneliness peaks, our lack of connection makes us less likely to connect with those who have different points of view—and as we seek to put our arms around the scope of this challenge, we will wrestle with appropriate responses, strategies and solutions. Free and open to the public; please note additional sessions on Friday, October 20, 12-1pm at the J.W. Olver Transit Center and Thursday,…