Friday, 4/25/97 Author Olsen gives reading to benefit women’s
studies center Proceeds to be awarded to students through fund by
alumna
By Linda Yoon Daily Bruin Contributor In honor of Constance
Coiner, UCLA is presenting a first-time event for the Constance
Coiner Fund Friday night. Tillie Olsen, author of fiction pieces
"Tell me a Riddle" and "Silences," will give a reading from her
various works in Haines Hall. Constance Coiner, a noted UCLA alumna
and former UCLA teaching assistant, and her 12 year-old daughter,
Ana Duarte-Coiner, died in the ill-fated TWA Flight 800 on July 17,
1996. "Coiner was highly regarded by both students and colleagues
as a motivated and active teacher," said Virginia Coiner-Classick,
Coiner’s sister. The Constance Coiner Fund was established in
August of 1996 by Coiner’s former partner, Stephen Duarte, and
Coiner-Classick in honor of her life, and dedications. "Constance
was really involved in feminist and working-class issues," said
Christina Crews, administrative assistant of the Center for the
Study of Women. Through the Center for the Study of Women, the
money raised in the benefit will be directed toward awarding
undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate an active
commitment to working-class and feminist issues, as well as
involvement in community service activities aimed at social change,
Crews said. The awards allotted to upper division undergraduate
students are two $500 prizes. The students are required to be
juniors with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and must be involved in community
service. The graduate fellowship is a $1000 award. Crews is
expecting approximately 150 people to attend the event, which will
be dominated by Olsen’s readings from her works. Olsen writes
fiction pertaining to working-class women’s issues, and was a
subject of Coiner’s published book, "Better Red: The Writing and
Resistance of Tillie Olsen and Meridel Le Sueur." The book was
published in 1995. Olsen will also be selling her books at the
event, including a volume that explores the relationship between
mothers and daughters. She will also be available for signings
after the reading. "A lot of mothers and daughters will probably be
there, and that’s important because of Constance and her daughter,"
Crews said. The price of general admission is $12, and $5 dollars
with a student identification, which will partly go to the
Constance Coiner Fund. Additional donations to the fund are tax
deductible, Crews said. The beneficial Constance Coiner Fund event
will take place in Haines Hall 39, at 8:00pm. Parking is available
for $5 on Westholme and Hilgard. TWA Flight 800 Memorial