Civil rights activist and author Myrlie Evers-Williams will visit Scripps College November 6-8, 2013 as the Roxanne Wilson Leader-in-Residence. Established in June 2009 to honor Ms. Roxanne Wilson, the former chair of the Scripps College Board of Trustees, the Leader-in-Residence program seeks to bring a woman to campus who demonstrates leadership in both her professional life and volunteer service to her community and beyond. A significant part of the program is the opportunity for students to have meaningful, small group interactions with the Leader-in-Residence, to learn from her experiences and benefit from her wisdom. Mrs. Evers personifies these attributes by her tireless civil rights advocacy, her leadership in both the business and nonprofit sectors, and her commitment to educating future generations of leaders.
There are three public events associated with Mrs. Evers’ residency, and community members are encouraged to attend as many as they are able.
Please note that some events require RSVPs because of limited space.
November 6, 2013
Analysis and critique of the film “Ghosts of Mississippi,” Myrlie Evers with Kimberly Drake (WRIT 050) and Matthew Delmont (AMST 125)
1:15-2:30pm, Hampton Room
Professors Delmont and Drake invite interested members of the Scripps community to join their classes and Mrs. Evers in a discussion of “Ghosts of Mississippi,” a film about the murder of Medgar Evers in 1963 and his widow’s 30-year quest for justice. The class will examine how historical events are presented in the mass market media, and the tradeoffs that can occur when “adapting” actual events into a screenplay. If you would like to join the discussion, please RSVP to [email protected] as space is limited (students enrolled in these classes do not need to RSVP). Those who wish to join the class are encouraged to watch the film in advance. A screening is planned for Monday, November 4 at 7:15pm in Vita Nova 100.
November 7, 2013
Fighting for Equality: The Interconnected Struggle
7:30pm, Garrison Theater
Mrs. Evers will deliver a public presentation on human rights and civil rights advocacy, and the need for joint activism. She holds that the fight for equality is one in which many groups have a share – racial and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQ groups, and immigrants, for example – and that working together is the best way to achieve success. “Any serious discussion of the civil rights movement’s future must deal with at least four moral and organizational imperatives — stewardship, inclusiveness, concern for the disadvantaged, and re-dedication to non-violence as both ethical and effective tools for struggle.”
November 8, 2013
Making Your Mark as a Woman of Color
4:00pm Vita Nova Conference Room
Jointly sponsored by Wanawake Weusi, Café con Leche, and the AASU, students are invited to join Mrs. Evers for an honest discussion about challenges facing women of color and how to transcend these challenges and emerge successful. An experienced professional in the corporate, municipal, and nonprofit sectors, Evers has a lifetime of experience and wisdom to share. Please RSVP to MK Otlhogile as space is limited.
For more information on any of these events, please contact the office of Public Events and Community Programs at (909) 607-9372.