Women's Rights Icons Gather At Spelman
ATLANTA - For her culminating event, Shirley Franklin, 2010 William and Camille Cosby Endowed Professor at Spelman College and former Atlanta Mayor hosts "A Conversation: Women of Conviction and Courage Who Changed the Law." The event takes place Wednesday, October 20th. Sponsored by Spelman and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, Franklin joins Jo Carol LaFleur Nesset-Sale, Marva J. Brooks, and Gale S. Messerman for a panel discussion on legal battles fought and won to protect women’s rights.
"These remarkable women have opened the doors of opportunity and dignity for millions of American women, and serve as an inspiration for others to stand up for those who face discrimination. It is important that we remember their stories."—Shirley Franklin
The William and Camille Cosby Endowed Professorship was established in 1988. The recipient utilizes the post for one year to expand the College’s curricular offerings by designing a course rooted in her specific area of expertise, and facilitating interdisciplinary initiatives. The residency concludes with a special culminating event developed and implemented by the Cosby chair.
Shirley Franklin, 2010 William and Camille Cosby Endowed Professor in the Social Sciences
Shattering the political glass ceiling in 2001 when she was elected Atlanta’s first female mayor, Shirley Franklin tackled head-on the tough urban challenges facing the largest city in the Southeast. As a Cosby professor in the social sciences, she teaches Spelman’s Interdisciplinary Atlanta Beltline seminar which allows Spelman students to conduct highly-meaningful, locally-relevant ethnographic research on one of the most transforming projects to affect Atlanta in 80 years. The seminar emphasizes women’s perspectives, and seeks to produce engaging original research in key areas critical to ensuring that the Beltline project does not have devastating consequences for residents in the Southwest Beltline and West End communities.
Spelman College:
Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a prestigious, highly selective, liberal arts college that prepares women to change the world. Located in Atlanta, Ga., this historically black college boasts a 79 percent graduation rate, and outstanding alumnae such as Children’s Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; former U.S. Foreign Service Director General Ruth Davis, authors Tina McElroy Ansa and Pearl Cleage; and actress LaTanya Richardson. More than 83 percent of the full-time faculty members have Ph.D.s or other terminal degrees, and the average faculty to student ratio is 12:1. More than 2,100 students attend Spelman.
Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys :
GABWA was founded in 1981 by a group of African-American women who wanted to form a voluntary bar organization that would focus on women’s and children’s issues, increase black female representation in the judiciary and in public office, and take a proactive stance on political issues. Today, GABWA has an active membership of more than 500 women and men.
