Their lecture will focus on society's obsession with youth and beauty and the attempt by many to create it and hold it hostage for as long as we can. When legions of women conform to the same narrow standards, they begin to redefine the beauty ideal.

Alex Kuczynski is the author of Beauty Junkies and a reporter and columnist for The New York Times. She also writes for Vanity Fair, The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Magazine, Harper's Bazaar and a number of other publications. She has also contributed essays to National Public Radio.