April 20, 2006
‘After Hurricane Katrina’ subject of talk April 27
The University community will have a chance to hear from the co-chair of the Bring Back New Orleans Commission when Barbara Major comes to town Thursday, April 27. Major will speak on After Hurricane Katrina: Re-Construction or New Construction for Health and Human Services? at 5:30 p.m. in 120 Kane.
Hurricane Katrina exacerbated problems of social, economic and environmental inequality that already existed in the United States and are magnified in the Gulf South region. It also exposed to the world the lack of adequate health care and support services for the poor in our own country. Major, a native of New Orleans and a lifelong community organizer, knows this too well. As co-chair of the Bring Back New Orleans Commission, she is involved in the negotiations to rebuild the city.
Originally trained in social work, Major is a core trainer in “Undoing Racism” for the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond and for Crossroads Ministry. She is currently the executive director of the non-profit St. Thomas Health Clinic. She serves as an advocate for struggling communities whose voices have rarely been heard in the policy debates about New Orleans’ future.
The lecture is free, but registration is requested at www.uwalum.com. A reception in the Walker Ames Room follows the talk.
