Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College (OLLI at Ringling College) presents “Listening to Women,” a six-session series featuring women whose innovations and accomplishments are having an impact and influencing lives locally and globally.

Holly Freedman is the immediate past chair of the Curriculum Committee for OLLI at Ringling College. She also heads up the team that created and coordinated the Listening to Women series.

“Each week we will meet women who had the passion and determination to break barriers and overcome obstacles to become movers and shakers in their own fields,” she says. “These include women who have excelled in theater, international development, healthcare, politics, dance and foreign service.” 

Freedman adds that the “Listening to Women” series “not only brings attention to the incredible women who live and work here, but also enhances the depth and breadth of the course offerings at OLLI. Our hope is that OLLI’s students—men and women—will be inspired by these dynamic women and ask for more series highlighting our local residents in the future.”

The series takes place on Thursdays at 1 p.m., Feb. 6-March 12, at the Ringling College Museum Campus, 1001 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Tickets for all six sessions are $81 for Gold Members and $90 for Silver Members. Tickets for individual sessions are $27 for Gold Members and $30 for general admission. For more information and to register, call (941) 309-5111, or visit www.olliatringlingcollege.org.

The “Listening to Women” schedule at a glance (For complete details and schedule, visit www.olliatringlingcollege.org).

• February 6: Women in Theatre: Changing the Stage with Summer Dawn Wallace
• February 13: Women in the World: 2020 with Scott Osborne
• February 20: Women Leaders in Health & Medicine: Improving the Prognosis with Jennifer Bencie, Victoria Kasdan, Alicia Craig-Rodriguez, and moderator Mary Braxton-Joseph
• February 27: Political Strategies of American Women – 1848 to 1920 with Alice Newton
• March 5: Dance Has Paved My Way with Leymis Bolaños Wilmott
• March 12: The Roles and Contributions of Women in the Foreign Service with Sherry Suggs 

About Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College, or OLLI at Ringling College (formerly Ringling College Lifelong Learning Academy), offers noncredit educational opportunities for adults to pursue new interests, expand intellectual horizons, and enrich their lives. Courses cover a wide range of stimulating topics and are taught by scholars, retired faculty members, and professional practitioners in an engaging, collaborative manner. Visit www.olliatringlingcollege.org.

About Ringling College of Art and Design
Since 1931, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 12 disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College’s rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, first-year program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. www.ringling.edu.