Professor to provide insight on feminist legal theory, equality

43rd annual Austin W. Scott, Jr. Lecture "Essentially a Mother"

Join the University of Colorado Law School Dec. 1 for this year's Austin W. Scott, Jr. Lecture featuring Professor Jennifer S. Hendricks.

When employer-provided health insurance covers contraception, is that sex equality, special benefits for women, or something else? What about workplace accommodations for breastfeeding? 

Historically, U.S. courts would have called these sorts of benefits "special rights," not required—and perhaps even suspect—under legal guarantors of equality. In recent years, however, public debates and court decisions have shifted toward treating "women's unique biology" as something that must be accommodated in order to attain sex equality. Is this progress, or does it stereotype women as mothers and hinder their advancement?

In her talk, Hendricks will discuss these questions and more and provide insight on how the law and feminist legal theory have struggled to reconcile biological sex differences with principles of equality.

A reception for registered guests will follow the lecture. Please visit the event page for more information and to register. RSVP by Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Thursday, Dec. 1, 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Wolf Law Building, Wittemyer Courtroom