Wednesday, April 15, 2009
To commemorate the life of Jana Mackey, the University has created the Jana Mackey Distinguished Lecture Series.
Mackey was found dead July 3, 2008 in her ex-boyfriend’s home. Mackey, a former second-year law student at KU, was a lobbyist in Kansas for NOW, the National Organization for Women.
Kim Gandy, president of the National Organization for Women, will give the inaugural speech for the lecture series at 7:30 p.m. at the Dole Institute of Politics. The speech, titled “The Equity Imperative: Why it Matters to Talk about Women,” will focus on Mackey’s work on women’s rights issues.
What: Jana Mackey Distinguished Lecture Series, “The Equity Imperative: Why it Matters to Talk about Women” When: 7:30 p.m. Where: Dole Institute of Politics Cost: Free and open to the public
Friends and relatives, along with government officials, have established several other initiatives to honor Mackey. Eleven hundred torches is an organization dedicated to remembering Mackey and her work on women’s rights issues. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius designated March 8 as Jana Mackey day of service.
Curt Brungardt, Mackey’s stepfather, said Mackey came to the University on a vocal scholarship. He said that after a year in college she became interested obtaining a women’s studies degree.
“From then on, that was her life,” Brungardt said. “Every type of volunteer work, to her career to wanting to go to law school, all revolved around the idea of issues of equality and promoting women’s rights.”
In November, Mackey’s parents traveled to Washington, D.C., to ask Gandy to be the first speaker.
Kathy Rose-Mockry, program director of the Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center, said Gandy would address reproductive health and domestic violence issues, both of which were important to Mackey.
Rose-Mockry said Gandy would also discuss ways in which students could get involved with women’s rights issues.
“Jana was a big believer of putting ideas into action,” Rose-Mockry said. “That is an important part of this lecture.”
She said gender played pivotal roles in students’ life experiences, the options available to them and the choices they made.
Rose-Mockry said the goals of the lecture were for students to get informed, involved and empowered.
Tanner Willbanks, Lawrence senior, knew Mackey from the time she was 14 years old. As a member of both the selection and planning committees for the lecture series, Willbanks said he wanted to make sure something was done to honor Mackey’s work.
“Jana being proud of me is a pretty big part of what goes into most of my days,” Willbanks said. “I hope people use her as an example and inspiration.”
— — Edited by Grant Treaster
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