Speeches by internationally known feminist Gloria Steinem and controversial New Jersey principal Joe Clark will highlight this year's annual observance of Ebony and Ivory Week.

The sixth annual week begins tonight and aims to combat racial stereotypes while increasing awareness of others' cultural heritage. In 1987, the focus was expanded to include discussion of women and gay concerns, and black/Jewish relations.

Organized and conducted by Beta Sigma Beta fraternity, 255 E. Fairmount Ave, and Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, all events are free and open to the public.

"Basically, it's to foster communication between minority and majority students at Penn State, to get us thinking about each other," said John Danley, the event's co-chairperson.

A live satellite teleconference will transmit Steinem's address at Behrend College in Erie, which invited the noted non-fiction writer as part of its observance of National Women's History Month.

University Park students can attend the event at 8 Thursday night in either 109 Willard or 308 Boucke. A telephone question-and-answer period will allow students here to talk with Steinem.

Tomorrow, Colloquy will present a speech by Clark, a former army drill instructor turned educator. The principal was named one of the nation's ten "Principals of Leadership" in 1986 for his work at Eastside High in New Jersey.

Clark will speak at 8 tomorrow night in Eisenhower Auditorium. To prepare for the event, Project Growth will show the movie, Lean on Me, at 7 tonight in the HUB Ballroom. The film depicts Clark's work at the New Jersey high school and will be followed by a panel discussion.

Co-chairperson Bill Adams said the film and discussion will prepare students for Clark's appearance tomorrow night. Clark's speech is one of the week's biggest events, he added.

Also tonight, Christine Patterson, coordinator of minority programs in the School of Communications, will present a speech titled "Black Women in History: Ebony or Ivory, No Crystal Stair." Her address will focus on black women's contributions throughout history and begins at 6 in 301 HUB.

A series of workshops aimed at combatting gender, cultural and sexual orientation stereotypes, will be held Saturday, Adams said.

"They're the least attended, but usually they're the most important," he said, explaining that the workshops offer practical advice on dealing with intolerance. Those who do attend the events are usually already aware of diversity issues, he added.

"Basically, the people who need the education the most tend not to go," he said, but added that those who go can help educate others.

Danley agreed, pointing out that last year, participation by white students in the week's activities was low.

This year, however, Ebony and Ivory Week representatives urged the Interfraternity Council to have at least two people from every fraternity attend an event in an effort to get more students involved, he said.