civil rights
University leaders reflect on life of community activist Kwame Lillard, frequent contributor to Vanderbilt’s MLK Series
Jan. 14, 2021—Vanderbilt leaders are reflecting on the life and legacy of veteran civil rights activist Kwame Lillard, who died Dec. 20 in Nashville. As recently as January 2020, Lillard shared his firsthand experiences in the civil rights movement with Vanderbilt students as part of the university’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Series.
Learn about life and work of John Lewis in two titles from Vanderbilt University Press
Jul. 24, 2020—The late Civil Rights icon John Lewis is featured in two recent publications available from Vanderbilt University Press commemorating the Freedom Riders and the Civil Rights Movement.
Vanderbilt recognizing 19th Amendment centennial throughout 2020; new website launched
Feb. 19, 2020—Throughout 2020, Vanderbilt University will mark the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees women’s constitutional right to vote. Vanderbilt will recognize the anniversary through a new website, educational programming, lectures, community events, historical exhibits, art displays and more.
Hill explains sexual harassment’s legal history, calls for intersectionality, change
Oct. 29, 2018—Anita Hill's talk on campus, “No Longer Silent: Underrepresented Narratives in Sexual Violence,” was the keynote address during a conference organized by Vanderbilt Student Government.
What’s On My Mind: Courage to change the world
May. 17, 2018—Reflecting on Commencement week, Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos shares his thoughts in this week’s column about how each person can make a positive difference in the world.
African American history spotlighted at Central Library
Jan. 23, 2018—A lecture related to little-known African American sports history on Feb. 7 will lead off a series of events celebrating African American History Month at the Central Library.
Nashville historical marker honors VU graduate’s LGBT activism
Dec. 12, 2017—Community leaders, family and friends of the late Penny Campbell, a Vanderbilt graduate and LGBT activist, came together to celebrate a Nashville historical marker being placed in her honor Dec. 8.
Perry Wallace, pioneer who integrated SEC basketball, has died
Dec. 4, 2017—Perry Wallace, BE’70, the Vanderbilt University student-athlete who integrated Southeastern Conference varsity basketball, died Dec. 1. He was 69.
Writer-in-residence Andrew Maraniss shares the story of Perry Wallace on ‘The Zeppos Report’
Nov. 27, 2017—On the latest episode of "The Zeppos Report," Vanderbilt writer-in-residence Andrew Maraniss tells Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos about his personal journey to Vanderbilt and how it led him to write Perry Wallace's biography.
Author of Perry Wallace biography has unique role at Vanderbilt
Sep. 1, 2017—Andrew Maraniss, who wrote Strong Inside: Perry Wallace and the Collision of Race and Sports in the South, is working with Vanderbilt students from a unique position this academic year. He is spending part of his time as a writer-in-residence at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons, where he is leading special programming with first-year students....
Vanderbilt’s Osher Lifelong Learning offers new fall classes
Aug. 4, 2017—Architectural treasures, Broadway plays on film, and a first-time preview of a Nashville Ballet performance are among the rich subjects offered this fall by Vanderbilt's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
Vanderbilt athletics honors civil rights leaders during Equality Weekend
Feb. 27, 2017—Vanderbilt recently celebrated Equality Weekend, a two-day event that honored 21 of Nashville’s civil rights leaders and marked the 50th anniversary of Vanderbilt breaking the SEC’s color barrier with men’s basketball players Perry Wallace and Godfrey Dillard. The 21 leaders were honored at the Commodores’ men’s basketball game on Feb. 18 and the women’s game on Feb. 19—both Vanderbilt victories.