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“I am a Black woman myself," she said, “and you hear so many stories online about the violence experienced, but to hear how they felt, and what happened in the aftermath is so powerful. As a majority white campus, you can feel isolated in your experiences here, but I hope that this will encourage students and faculty to participate in a more active role when these tragedies occur again. And I do mean when, not if, because unless the justice system changes, this violence done by the police will continue.”
The lecture was part of “50 Years Strong,” a celebration of the Women and Gender Studies department’s 50th year of teaching about, studying, and advocating for the rights of women and all marginalized people. Department chair Patricia Sloane-White said this event shows how future work in the discipline must include issues affecting underrepresented populations.
“The Women’s Movement has been justly accused of failing to address the distinct forms of oppression faced by women of color,” Sloane-White said. “Having these remarkable speakers here to share their pain, and their courage as mothers and as leaders for social justice signifies our commitment as a department to have the critical discussions that will lead the way to change the history of racial and gender equity.”
The event also included the presentation of the first Mary Ruth Warner award. Warner, who graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1971, received the honor for her contributions as a faculty member in the Women and Gender Studies department and to UD. Warner was the leader behind the creation of UD’s Black Student Union and led the organization in formal discussions with former President Trabant to increase the number of African American professors, to create a Black cultural center and include courses on African American and African history, among other accomplishments. She also worked with gay and lesbian activists outside UD to organize the first Gay Pride march in Philadelphia.
The full list of 50 Years Strong events can be found on the Women and Gender Studies Department website.
Article by Hilary Douwes; Photos by Evan Krape
Published March 9, 2023