Athens, Ga. – Actress, producer and transgender advocate Laverne Cox will present a lecture in observance of Black History Month at the University of Georgia on Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Tate Student Center Theatre. Cox is widely known for her role in the television series “Orange is the New Black.”
Cox’s presentation, “Ain’t I a Woman? My Journey to Womanhood,” will explore how the intersections of race, class and gender uniquely affect the lives of transgender women of color. She will share the challenges of struggling with her gender identity while growing up in a single-parent household in Mobile, Ala., attending college in New York City and pursuing a career as an actress.
“We are delighted to welcome Laverne Cox to campus, and the event is made possible because of the combined efforts of campus partners, including both administrative units and student organizations,” said Zoe M. Johnson, director of multicultural services and programs. “Together, we are honoring intersections of identity and know that Ms. Cox will leave members of the audience thinking more deeply about their own unique journeys.”
The title of Cox’s presentation recalls the celebrated words of 18th century abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth in a speech delivered at the 1851 Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio.
“Then and now, the ways in which race, gender and class intersect are exponential, not additive,” Johnson said. “Laverne Cox is black history and black history is American history.”
Admission is $5, free for students with valid UGACards who pay activity fees on the Athens campus. Tickets are available at the Tate Student Center cashier window, open weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The program is a Blue Card event for students.
The lecture is co-sponsored by Multicultural Services and Programs, LGBT Resource Center, University Union Student Programming Board, Black Affairs Council, Black Theatrical Ensemble and the Office of Institutional Diversity.
For more information, call 706-542-5773 or see http://msp.uga.edu.
UGA Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs comprises 20 campus departments that enhance the learning environment for students at the University of Georgia by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences, promoting an environment conducive to growth and discovery and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural and emotional development. For more information, see http://studentaffairs.uga.edu.
