Social justice advocate Sandra Fluke to give lecture


LAWRENCE— Sandra Fluke, the attorney whose testimony before the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee on the need to provide access to contraception brought the issue into public prominence, will be the speaker at the 2013 Emily Taylor and Marilyn Stokstad Women’s Leadership Lecture, sponsored by the Hall Center for the Humanities.

Sandra FlukeFluke’s lecture, “Making Our Voices Heard,” will take place at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union. The event is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow.

In the presentation, Fluke will discuss her notable experience in 2012 before the House panel. Even though she came under attack by conservative political commentators, Fluke will elaborate on how she transformed the media focus into an opportunity to advocate for important social justice concerns for women. She will also expertly survey local, state, and federal legislation and legislative trends that have the potential to advance or hinder the progress of social justice.

Since this pivotal media moment, Fluke has since spoken about this and other issues of concern to women and young people across news outlets, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Time magazine, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC and CBS television.

Fluke graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center as a Public Interest Law Scholar with a Certificate in Refugee and Humanitarian Emergencies. She was awarded the 2012 National Association of Women Lawyers Award and a Dean's Certificate, and was recognized for her extensive pro bono representation of victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. During law school, she also engaged in human rights advocacy in Kenya.

The Emily Taylor and Marilyn Stokstad Women’s Leadership Lecture is named for two women who were prominent leaders at KU. The fund they established supports lectures by prominent women on women’s leadership issues. Contributions to the fund can be made through KU Endowment.

Tue, 03/26/2013

author

Victor Bailey

Media Contacts

Victor Bailey

Hall Center for the Humanities

785-864-7822