The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts announced the cancellation of Gloria Steinem's talk in the center's Distinguished Speakers Series.

The political activist, journalist and spokeswoman for the feminist movement had been scheduled to give a talk the night of Jan. 16.

The center announced the cancellation in an e-mailed news release the afternoon of Dec. 19. 

Two speakers remain in the 2008-09 Distinguished Speakers Series:

WHO: Ishmael Beah, a former "child soldier" in Sierra Leone, having been conscripted, given a copious amount of drugs and turned into a killer at age 13—who survived his ordeal, regained his humanity and wrote the book A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

WHAT: "A Long Way Gone: A Story of Redemption and Hope"

WHEN: 8 p.m. April 8

WHERE: Jackson Hall

RELATED EVENT: "Just the Facts, Ma'am?" Forum@MC on the future of nonfiction in a new century, as memoir and historical fiction fall under increasing scrutiny. Panelists include David Simpson, G.B. Needham Distinguished Professor of English; Stephen Magagnini, lecturer in the University Writing Program and staff writer for The Sacramento Bee. Moderated by Jeffrey Callison of Sacramento radio station KXJZ's Insight program. 5 p.m. April 6, Studio Theatre, Mondavi Center. Free.

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WHO: Paul Haggis, writer, director and producer, the creative force behind the films Million Dollar Baby and Crash, first person to write back-to-back winners of the Academy Award for best picture—addressing the practical and magical aspects of writing for the camera and maintaining one's integrity in an industry of compromise

WHAT: "From Crash to the Valley of Elah: The Art and Craft of Hollywood"

WHEN: 8 p.m. May 11

WHERE: Jackson Hall

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Tickets: (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787, or www.mondaviarts.org.