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CORVALLIS, Ore. - A spring film series commemorating the centennial of women's suffrage in Oregon begins Tuesday, April 10, on the Oregon State University campus.

The Woman Citizen Film Series is part of "Woman Citizen: Past, Present, and Future," a series of events to commemorate the centennial of suffrage in Oregon (1912-2012).

"OSU faculty members were invited to select their favorite film about women to share with students and community members," said Marisa Chappell, associate professor of history at OSU and the film series organizer. "The series is designed to engage students and community members in discussions about women - the way gender has shaped women's opportunities, and how women have confronted constraints and sought to shape their own lives."

The free, public screenings will begin at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays through May 29 in Owen Hall Room 101. They will be hosted by OSU faculty members who will lead post-film discussions. The films include:

Tuesday, April 10

"North Country": This 2005 film starring Charlize Theron is a fictionalized account of the experiences of Lois Jensen, who broke the gender barrier in Minnesota mines and became lead plaintiff in the nation's first class-action sexual harassment lawsuit. (Host: Charlotte Headrick, professor of theatre arts)

Tuesday, April 17

"14 Women": This documentary chronicles the 109th Congress, which made history by including 14 female senators, by following these pioneer politicians as they navigate personal and professional schedules, and juggle the needs of families and constituents. (Hosts: School of Public Policy)

Tuesday, April 24

"The Hours": This 2002 film starring Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, and Julianne Moore follows three women of different generations whose lives are connected by Virginia Woolf's novel, "Mrs. Dalloway." (Host: Anita Helle, professor of English)

Tuesday, May 1

"A Crushing Love: Chicanas, Motherhood, and Activism": This documentary examines the lives and achievements of five single mothers and Latinas, including labor organizer Dolores Huerta, author Elizabeth "Betita" Martinez, writer/playwright Cherrie Moraga, civil rights advocate Alicia Escalante, and historian/writer Martha Cotera. (Hosts: Kryn Freehling-Burton, instructor of women studies and Norma Cardenas, assistant professor of ethnic studies).

Tuesday, May 8

"Triangle Fire: The Tragedy that Forever Changed Labor and Industry": This documentary chronicles the labor activism of young, single, immigrant women working in New York's garment industry in the early 20th century, the fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory that killed 148 of them, and the political activism to change working conditions. (Host: Anita Guerrini, professor of history and Horning Endowed Chair)

Tuesday, May 15

"I, Doll: The Unauthorized Biography of America's 11½ Sweetheart": This documentary explores the history and contested meaning of one of America's cultural icons, raising questions about American consumerism and gender socialization. (Host: Aurora Sherman, assistant professor of psychology).

Tuesday, May 22

"The Color Purple": This Academy Award-nominated film starring Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and Oprah Winfrey, is based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel about women's lives in America's rural South. (Host: Jim Foster, professor of political science).

Tuesday, May 29

"They Call Me Muslim": This documentary portrays the struggles of two Muslim women to express themselves - one in France, which outlawed the wearing of the veil, or hijab, and the other in Iran, which mandates it. (Host: Faiza Al-Saaidi, instructor of women studies).

The Woman Citizen series is sponsored by the School of History, Philosophy, and Religion, OSU Women's Giving Circle, the Horning Endowment for the Humanities, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Affairs.