|
The Columbia University School of Social Work will host Karenna Gore Schiff as the speaker at its commencement ceremony on May 17.
"We are very delighted that Mrs. Gore-Schiff will be participating in this year's ceremony," said Dean Jeanette Takamura. "Her unique experiences and passion for diverse community issues bring inspiration and encouragement to students and faculty alike. Moreover, we are delighted that her recently released book covers the contributions of Frances Perkins, one of CUSSW's most renowned graduates."
The daughter of Al and Tipper Gore, Gore-Schiff is a Columbia Law School and a Harvard University alumna. Currently, she is director of community affairs for the Association to Benefit Children (ABC), a New York City nonprofit that provides a number of community enhancement services: early childhood education, healthcare, housing assistance, mental health services, family preservation, crisis intervention, recreational activities, job training and employment assistance, therapeutic after-school and summer day camp programs, mentoring and legal advocacy. Prior to her role at ABC, Gore-Schiff worked at a television station in Memphis, at the Times-Picayune in New Orleans and in a law firm.
She also recently published the book Lighting the Way: Nine Women Who Changed Modern America. This narrative covers the lives of nine 20th-century heroines, including Ida B. Wells-Barnett, born a slave; Mother Jones, an immigrant who organized coal miners and worked against child labor; Alice Hamilton, who pushed for regulation of industrial toxins; Frances Perkins, a Columbia alumna who played a major role in the formative years of the Social Security program; Virginia Durr, a Southerner who worked on poll tax and segregation issues; Septima Clark, who registered black voters; Dolores Huerta, who organized farm workers; Helen Rodriguez-Trias, a reproductive rights advocate; and Gretchen Buchenholz, a leading child advocate.
The commencement ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 17 at 2:00 p.m. in Levien Gymnasium, Dodge Fitness Center on the Morningside campus.
|
