7:00 pm (ET) Saturday, May 16, 2026 Live and via Zoom
People often associate fairy tales with Disney films, and with the male authors from whom Disney often drew inspiration – notably Charles Perrault, the Brothers Grimm, and Hans Christian Andersen. In these portrayals, the princess is a passive, compliant figure. By contrast, in her book The Lost Princess, author Dr. Anne E. Duggan shows that classic fairy tales such as ‘Cinderella’, ‘Rapunzel’, and ‘Beauty and the Beast’ have a much richer, more complex history than Disney’s saccharine depictions. Dr. Duggan recovers the voices of women writers, who penned popular tales about ogre-killing, pregnant, cross-dressing, dynamic heroines who saved the day. This new history will appeal to anyone who wants to know more about the lost, plucky heroines of historic fairy tales.
Dr. Anne E. Duggan is a professor of French Studies and a member of the Academy of Scholars at Wayne State University. She is the author of three monographs, two of which have been translated into French and Chinese, and she has edited numerous volumes on fairy-tale cultures. Professor Duggan served as associate and co-editor of the journal Marvels & Tales: Journal of Fairy-Tale Studies, for 25 years, and she currently edits the Donald Haase Series in Fairy-Tale Studies at Wayne State University. She is currently working on a book about politically committed animated tales.
Live Presentation
If you are able to attend the live presentation, you have the opportunity to mingle with your fellow Mensans and guests at our usual location:
Northwest Unitarian Universalist Church in Southfield
23925 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48075
Doors open at 6:30 pm (ET). The program begins at 7:00 pm (ET).
Ticket prices for the in-person program:
- Adult Members – $5 or buy a strip of 4 tickets for $15
- Guests – $7
- Children 12 & under: $2
- Members receive free admission in the month of their birthday
Following the presentation, please join us for dinner at:
Buddy’s Pizza
31646 Northwestern Highway
Farmington Hills, MI 38334
(Just northeast of Middlebelt Rd)
Virtual Presentation (Zoom)
If you can’t join us in person, the Zoom room opens at 6:30 P.M. (ET) for mingling.
There is no charge for the Zoom presentation, but, due to rising costs (Meetup charges alone were up 70% during the past year!), your donation via PayPal is greatly appreciated.
- Click PayPal.com
- Log in (or sign up)
- Click the “Send/Request” button
- Enter the e-mail address: treasurer@nullmensadetroit.com
- Click the “Next” button
- Enter payment amount ($5 is recommended, but feel free to send any amount)
- Fill “What’s this for” with “SEMM Zoom Presentations”
- Click the “Next” button
- Select your payment method
- Click “Send”
NEW!! If you prefer to donate using a credit or debit card, scan this QR code to make your donation:
Please remember that all Zoom attendees need to pre-register:
- Click tinyurl.com/SEMM-Gathering
- Choose “May 16, 2026 6:30 pm” from the drop-down box
- Fill in your name and email address
- Click the “Register” button