Leading Voice for Social Justice Named New Activist-in-Residence at Smith

Loretta J. Ross, a national and international leader in movements for racial and economic justice and women’s rights, will serve as Smith College Activist-in-Residence throughout the month of February.

The announcement was made at a celebration for the 70th anniversary of the founding of Smith College’s women’s history archives, a repository that includes Ross’ own papers, among others.

In her role, Ross will deliver two public lectures and meet with students for a series of workshops surrounding the basic skills of organizing for social justice.

Ross’ first lecture, “Feminism in the Service of White Supremacy,” will take place on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Seelye 106. The talk will explore the interplay of racial and sexual politics in the anti-abortion and voter suppression drives during the 2012 election campaign.

“Loretta Ross has been involved in many social justice issues of the past 30 years and can really talk about history as it’s lived…about what goes on behind what we read in the headlines,” said Martha Ackelsberg, William R. Kenan, Jr Professor of Government. “We hope people take advantage of her presence on campus.”

Ross has served most recently as co-founder and national director of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective. An expert on the politics of women’s health, hate groups, and sexual violence, she brings a human rights approach to her activism and her writing.

The residency is made possible by support from Project on Women and Social Change, Sophia Smith Collection, Government Department, Smith College Lecture Committee, Office of Institutional Diversity & Equity, Program for the Study of Women and Gender.