Writer Ann Druyan, the widow of Carl Sagan and his writing partner, has accepted an invitation to speak as 1997’s “Freethought Heroine” at the upcoming twentieth annual convention of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, meeting in Tampa, Florida, the weekend of Dec. 5-7, 1997. Ms. Druyan, who co-wrote the “Cosmos” television series with her husband, also co-wrote with him such books as Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors: A Search for Who We Are and Comet. She also co-wrote the treatment for this summer’s blockbuster freethought/ science motion picture, “Contact,” based on Carl Sagan’s novel. She was creative director of the Voyager Interstellar Record, is a novelist, and her articles have appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Parade and Discover. Ann Druyan has been vocal in protecting her late husband’s memory from the slur of “deathbed conversion” stories since he died of pneumonia last December. Convention Program Friday Night, December 5, 1997 7 p.m. Registration opens, socializing 8 p.m. Awards & Music Dixie Jokinen Memorial Award for Student Activism, Recipient to be named Freethinker of the Year Award, Michael Chandler, School Principal Freethought Concert, Dan Barker, Foundation staff member Complimentary cake, punch; socializing Saturday, December 6, 1997 8 a.m. Registration continues, complimentary coffee & tea 9 a.m. Welcoming Remarks, Dan Barker, Anne Nicol Gaylor, President, Jim Strayer 9:30 a.m. “A Skeptical Feminist: One Author’s View of Sexism In Religion”, Barbara G. Walker 10:15 a.m. Alabama Panel, The Infamous Judge Roy Moore Case, Al Faulkenberry, Patricia Cleveland, Adam Butler, Chris McDougal, Gloria Hershiser, with introductions of other Alabama activists 11:30 a.m. Flower Awards 12:15 p.m. Non-Prayer Luncheon — Buffet. Sandwiches including Roast Sirloin of beef with mushrooms and bacon on Cuban bread, shaved turkey with smoked mozzarella on rye, vegetarian portobello sandwich with spinach and walnut pesto; new potato salad; grilled vegetable salad; pasta salad; fresh fruit; beverages; chocolate magic bars and fruit tartlettes. 2 p.m. “Religious Horrors”, Newspaper editor Jim Haught 2:45 p.m. “Unauthorized Portraits”, Ed Sorel, Political Cartoonist 3:30 p.m. Break 3:45 p.m.”The Radical Religious Right–Beyond Stealth”, John M. Suarez, M.D 4:15 p.m. Slide show, “Heretic Heroines of the 19th & 20th Centuries”, Annie Laurie Gaylor 6:45 p.m. Banquet Dinner — Glazed stuffed chicken, salad, vegetables, rolls, beverages & award-winning key lime pie 8:15 p.m. “Freethought Heroine” Presentation & Speech, Ann Druyan, science writer 9 p.m. Speaker Alan Hale, co-discoverer of the Hale-Bopp comet Sunday, December 7, 1997 9 – 11:45 a.m. Annual Membership business meeting, followed by Board of Directors meeting
March 13, 2013
