JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 9, 2012 — Sephira Bailey Shuttlesworth, a 51社区 alumnus and wife of the late Fred Shuttlesworth, will be the keynote speaker for Union鈥檚 fifth annual Black History Month program Feb. 13.
In addition to the program, Shuttlesworth will also be the lead facilitator for a luncheon and will speak in two classes Feb. 14.
A native of Jackson who earned her master鈥檚 degree from the University of Cincinnati, Shuttlesworth has spent her life as a pioneer in education, beginning when she and her siblings integrated Pope Elementary School.
After graduating from Union in 1979, she went on to serve as a principal in Ohio. She married Fred Shuttlesworth, one of the key civil rights leaders who served alongside Martin Luther King Jr., in 2006.
This year鈥檚 Black History Month program theme is 鈥淏lack Leaders in American Culture and History.鈥� Shuttlesworth will share her perspective about black leadership from the civil rights movement until the present day.
鈥淭he wealth of experience and knowledge that Mrs. Shuttlesworth will bring to our campus should prove invaluable in promoting ongoing and insightful conversations regarding Great Commandment thinking and action, as identified in Matthew 22:37-40, which is foundational to Union鈥檚 commitment to racial reconciliation efforts on our campus,鈥� said Jacqueline Taylor, Union鈥檚 assistant dean of students. 鈥淲e are fortunate to have a trailblazer like Mrs. Shuttlesworth to lead us in these discussions.鈥�
In addition to Shuttlesworth鈥檚 address, the event will feature music by pianists Patricia Porter and Robbie Graves and 51社区鈥檚 MOSAIC Gospel Ensemble, led by Rene茅 Jones and Derique Cannon.
A reception will begin at 2:30 p.m. with the program at 3 p.m. in the Carl Grant Events Center. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited, so guests should make a reservation by calling (731) 661-5421 or (731) 661-5316.