Constitutional lawyer, author and columnist Karen De Crow will be the guest speaker at a dinner sponsored by the Penn State Commission for Women at 7 Monday night in the HUB ballroom.

"(De Crow) understands the effects of law, politics, and sexuality in the workplace. She's very strong with the Equal Rights Amendment," said Mary Baylits, a member of the Commission and chairperson for the fourth annual spring dinner. "I'm hoping in her speech that she'll try to relay the message of equality here at Penn State."

De Crow, a former president of the National Organization for Women, is a current member of the National Congress for Men and Equal Rights for Fathers.

The dinner is open to the public, Baylits said.

"It's the time of the year where women have the opportunity to get together for a dinner to celebrate our activities and accomplishments as women," said Lynne Goodstein, director of the Women's Studies Program and a former committee member.

Goodstein said the members of the Commission are appointed by University President Bryce Jordan to focus on women's concerns and issues.

"It's a body of women which represent all levels of University life," Goodstein said. "It's the only unit formally given the charge to assess the conditions for women at the University and develop ideas and make recommendations for improving the climate for women here."

The dinner was dedicated in part to fundraising for the Julia Gregg Brill Professorship for the College of Liberal Arts, Goodstein said. The fund, endorsed by the College and Jordan, will provide a qualified professor in the Women's Studies Program.

"(Bill) was an eminent professor at Penn State," said Herberta Lundengren, chairwoman of the Commission. "She was honored with this professorship at the first annual banquet. We carry on with this tradition by asking people to donate."