Former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Women's Rights Icons Gather At Spelman College

Franklin hosts 'A Conversation: Women of Conviction and Courage Who Changed the Law'

ATLANTA (October 8, 2010) -- 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.” 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

 WHO:           

The Honorable Shirley Franklin -- Former Atlanta Mayor and 2010 Spelman College William and Camille Cosby Endowed Professor in the Social Sciences

Jo Carol LaFleur Nesset-Sale -- Plaintiff  in the landmark 1974 case of LaFleur v. Cleveland Board of Education  that established the right of women to work beyond their fourth month of pregnancy

Marva J. Brooks -- Former Atlanta City Attorney who used the courts to successfully defend Atlanta’s groundbreaking Minority and Women Business Enterprise program

Gale S. Messerman -- As a young Atlanta legal services attorney, played an important role in developing the legal theories and strategies in Doe v. Bolton, the Georgia companion case to Roe v. Wade

WHERE:        

Spelman College - Cosby Academic Center Auditorium
350 Spelman Lane S.W., Atlanta, GA 30314

WHEN:          

Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010, 6:30 p.m.

WHY:             

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.

NOTES:      

Interview opportunities are available with all participants. This event is free and open to the public.

Shirley Franklin, 2010 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. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.

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.

Terrilyn Simmons

(404) 270-5822

tsimmons8@spelman.edu

Spelman College

350 Spelman Lane, SW

Atlanta, GA 30314