‘Real Women’ screenwriter to speak at Latina conference

Josefina Lopez, one of the writers of the film “Real Women Have Curves,” will deliver the keynote address at the 10th annual La Mujeras Latinas Conference at UW–Madison.

The conference will take place on Friday and Saturday, March 26 and 27. This year’s theme, “Soul-idifying our Unity: Creating a Bridge para las Mujeres Del Futuro” acknowledges that, culturally, ethnically, economically, philosophically and in other ways, there are many different Latinas. Issues to be addressed at the conference will include immigration, feminism, politics, identity, sexuality, leadership, higher education, arts, the media, health and more.

Soul Latina, a Latina comedy troupe, will open the conference on March 26. The evening will continue with the annual Latino Ball featuring a salsa band and a DJ.

Lopez will deliver the keynote address on March 27 at 5 p.m. Also speaking March 27 will be retired Lt. Col. Consuelo Castillo-Kickbush, a 20-year United States Army veteran awarded the Legion of Merit, the National Defense Service medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service medal and the Meritorious Service medal (four times).

The conference is free and open to the public. Sessions will take place in the Pyle Center. All events on March 26 will be held at the Concourse Hotel, 1 W. Dayton St., beginning at 6 p.m. For more information, call Joshua Toro, (608) 770-2767. To register in advance for the conference, e-mail uwmadisonlatina@hotmail.com.