The Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements have placed a spotlight on enduring racial and gender inequalities in the United States. Both movements were launched by Black women who continue to call attention to the intersections between race and gender in shaping opportunity and justice in America. This episode features highlights from a September 2020 online Women’s Leadership Forum. Dr. Susan Madsen, Founding Director of the Utah Women & Leadership Project, moderated the panel and was joined by Sui Lang L. Panoke, founder of Rethink International; Michelle Love-Day, an educator with nearly two decades of experience, and founder of the online virtual academy RISE!; Christy Glass, Professor of Sociology and the Interim Director of the Center for Intersectional Gender Studies & Research at Utah State University; and LaShawn Williams, licensed professional social worker and co-founder of The Black Clinicians. The panelists examine the lived experiences of women and girls of color and how they navigate politics, the workplace, education, and mental health services. They discuss the roles of power and identity and how they contribute to the experience of marginalization and oppression for many women. Finally, the panelists discuss how we can all challenge race and gender norms, break stereotypes, empower each other, and learn to celebrate our similarities and differences.
*This episode was recorded on September 18, 2020.