The empowerment of women and how the world would be better for
it was the theme of former senator Carol Moseley-Brauns speech,
Monday, March 25 in Cannon Chapel.
Referencing a quote from abolitionist Sojourner Truth, Moseley-Braun,
the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Senate, called
her 30-minute address Right Side Up.
It was a phrase Moseley-Braun used in several instances to represent
an upside-down world that needs a bit of adjusting. Not only do
men and women need to work together to foster change, Moseley-Braun
said, but Ameri-cans of both sexes must remember the accomplishmentsas
well as the strugglesof the past to make a brighter future.
If we make a full and honest reference to our past as Americans,
we will see more clearly the path to turning the world right side
up, she said.
The empowerment of women is not a matter of self-interest
to those of us who are female, Moseley-Braun said. Men
should look forward to the empowerment of women. Together we can
shape the world in an American image.
The keynote speech of Emorys Womens History Month celebration,
Moseley-Brauns address also served as the fifth annual Jessica
Glasser Memorial Lecture. Glasser, a 1996 graduate of Emory College
with high honors in womens studies and political science,
was killed in automobile accident shortly after earning her degree.
Her family has endowed a lecture series in her name.
Moseley-Brauns appearance was cosponsored by the Institute
for Womens Studies, Emory Womens Center, the Graduate
School of Arts and Sciences and Presidents Commission on the
Status of Women. Frances Smith Foster, director of the Institute
for Womens Studies, introduced the former senator. Following
her speech, Moseley-Braun answered audience questions.
The evening was particularly significant for the Womens Center,
as the event doubled as the kickoff for its 10th anniversary celebration.
Following a career in state and local government that included
10 years in the Illinois legislature, Moseley-Braun was elected
to the Senate in 1992. After losing a bid for re-election in 1998,
Moseley-Braun was named ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa in 1999,
a post she held until last year. In fall 2001, Moseley-Braun accepted
a visiting professorship at Morris Brown College, where she is teaching
courses in political science and working on a book. She also is
vice president of the Atlanta-based consulting firm GoodWorks International.
Moseley-Braun said that while American women have made tremendous
gains in the last century and are relatively well-positioned among
the worlds women, there is still a great deal of work to do.
American women must struggle to break the glass ceiling in business,
close the pay gap with men and remove barriers to opportunity and
achievement, Moseley-Braun said, adding that American women also
are obligated to help disadvantaged women throughout the world.
We have a duty to help the less advantaged win the battle
we have already fought, she said. We have to lift as
we climb.
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