Keynote and Guest Speakers

2023 Keynote Speaker: Loretta J. Ross

Loretta J. Ross is a Professor at Smith College in the Program for the Study of Women and Gender where she teaches courses on white supremacy, human rights, and Calling In the Call Out culture. Loretta also is a recipient of a MacArthur Fellow, Class of 2022, for her work as an advocate of Reproductive Justice and Human Rights.

Ross is an award-winning, nationally recognized expert on racism and racial justice, women's rights and human rights. Ross is Associate Professor of the Study of Women & Gender at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Her TED Talk, “Don’t Call People Out—Call Them In” has more than 2 million views on ted.com.

Loretta was the National Coordinator of the SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (2005–2012) and co-created the theory of Reproductive Justice. Loretta was National Co-Director of April 25, 2004, March for Women’s Lives in Washington D.C., the largest protest march in U.S. history at that time. She founded the National Center for Human Rights Education (NCHRE) in Atlanta, Georgia, launched the Women of Color Program for the National Organization for Women (NOW), and was the national program director of the National Black Women’s Health Project. One of the first African American women to direct a rape crisis center, Loretta was the third Executive Director of the D.C. Rape Crisis Center.

Keynote Address Details

Tuesday, February 21, 2023
Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
Events starts at 6 p.m.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP in advance to reserve your spot. The event will not be live streamed but will be recorded and available to view after the event.

2023 Guest Artists: Sounds of the People

Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Reid Campus Center, Young Ballroom
Event starts at 6 p.m.

Find the livestream of the keynote address at https://live.whitman.edu.