Diane Bell is Professor of Anthropology and Director of Women’s studies at the George Washington University in Washington DC, USA Anthropology (from Greek: ἀνθρωπος, anthropos, human being; and λόγος, logos, knowledge) is the study of humanity. ... With stylus and tablet, an upper-class Pompeiian, Sappho, demonstrates her privilege: literacy Womens studies is an interdisciplinary academic field devoted to topics concerning women, feminism, gender, and politics. ... The George Washington University (GW), is a private, coeducational university located in the Foggy Bottom neighborhood of Washington, D.C. The school was founded in 1821 as The Columbian College in the District of Columbia by Baptist ministers using funds bequeathed by George Washington. ...

Originally a teacher in Victoria, Australia,went back to school at Monash University, Victoria to concentrate on anthropology , and received a Ph.D. from Australian National University in 1981. Slogan or Nickname: Garden State, The Place to Be Motto(s): Peace and Prosperity Other Australian states and territories Capital Melbourne Government Constitutional monarchy Governor David de Kretser Premier Steve Bracks (resigning effective 30th July 2007) (ALP) Federal representation  - House seats 37  - Senate seats 12 Gross State Product (2004-05... Robert Menzies Building at the Clayton Campus Monash University is a public university, with campuses located in Victoria, Malaysia and South Africa. ... The Australian National University, or ANU, is a public university located in Canberra, Australia. ...

She has since written numerous books about Australian Aboriginal culture with a focus on women.^[1]

Secret Women's Business

Bell's first anthropological text, "Daughter's of the Dreaming", addressed women-only ceremonies performed by an Aborigional tribe in Central Australia. She was a key player in the court case surrounding 'Secret Women's Business' on Hindmarsh Island - an island in South Australia which was connected to the mainland by a bridge. The Aborigional women of the area claimed that such a construction over the water was in conflict with their religious beliefs. The court case ruled that 'secret womens business' on Hindmarsh Island was fabricated in order to prevent construction. An inquest (held after the bridge had been built) ruled otherwise. Hindmarsh Island (Kumarangk in Ngarrindjeri dialect) is an island in South Australia. ... The Hindmarsh Island bridge controversy was an Australian legal and political controversy that involved the clash of Indigenous Australian religious beliefs and the rights of property owners. ... The Hindmarsh Island Royal Commission was a legal investigation into the nature of female aboriginal religious myths that existed around Goolwa and Hindmarsh Island in South Australia. ...

Generations

Dr Bell wrote the official Australian Bicentenary book, with photos by Ponch Hawkes, called Generations, it explored generations of Australian women and the changes over the time, it was about ordinary people, included in the book was a chapter about her mother, herself and her daughter. The book was on top of the Australian best seller list for months and in the top ten for a year.

Academic

Dr Bell has held prestigious positions in USA including being the Henry Luce Fellow at Holy Cross University and department head at George Washington University as well as assisting in administration at Virginia Tech.

Fiction

Aside from her numerous anthropological texts, and feminist works, Bell has also delved into fictional writing. Her first book, titled "Evil", addresses secrets within the churches and is set on the campus of an American college.

References

1. ^ Bell, Diane - Bright Sparcs Biographical entry

External Sources

profile on Wisenet

 http://www.wisenet-australia.org/profiles/dianbell.htm