NSU to host Isabel Baker Memorial Lecture featuring Dr. Candessa Tehee

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. – Northeastern State University (NSU) is proud to announce the annual Isabel Baker Memorial Lecture, featuring distinguished scholar and leader Dr. Candessa Tehee. The event, titled “Carrying the Center: Indigenous Women, Power and Leadership,” will be presented on Thursday, March 12, at 3:30 p.m. in the Webb Auditorium.

Dr. Tehee, associate professor of Cherokee and Indigenous Studies and a current Cherokee Nation Council Member, will draw upon her extensive research and lived experiences to explore the vital role of Indigenous feminism.

The lecture aims to bridge the gap between historical influence and future progress. Dr. Tehee will guide attendees through “reclaiming and remembering” the power Indigenous women have historically held within their communities. By centering these contributions, the lecture encourages restoring balance in order to strengthen modern families, communities and institutions.

"Attendees can learn about the history of Indigenous women's contributions to feminist thought and action, empowering women and Indigenous communities for the future," said NSU Associate Professor of English and Director of the Center for Women’s Studies Dr. Jenny Bledsoe.

The Isabel Baker Memorial Lectureship is a joint effort by the NSU Center for Women's Studies and the NSU Foundation. Named in honor of the late Dr. Isabel Baker, a lifelong educator, public school teacher and NSU professor—the series showcases the research of faculty members whose work highlights women’s issues and Oklahoma-centric topics.

"Inclusion requires us to actively honor and elevate the Indigenous heritage that built this institution," NSU President Rodney Hanley said. "Dr. Tehee’s work is a cornerstone of our commitment to progress—that elevates Indigenous voices and respects the vital role women play in leading our communities.

"This topic is central to NSU's history," Dr. Bledsoe noted. "NSU's mission involves building on our Cherokee heritage to create a sustainable future for our diverse communities. This lecture reflects our place-centered values and our location in the heart of the Cherokee Nation."

To learn more about NSU’s Center for Tribal Studies, visit cts.nsuok.edu.

To attend the lecture virtually, visit https://nsuok.zoom.us/j/82744646328.

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