Rosa Parks biographer to speak at ECU on Feb. 17

A professor and biographer of Rosa Parks will discuss the activist’s life at East Carolina University at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17 in Hendrix Theatre.

Jeanne Theoharis, professor of political science at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, wrote “The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks” based on conversations with individuals who knew her. The book details the political depth of a national heroine, Rosa Parks, who dedicated her life to fighting American inequality.

Holly Mathews, professor of anthropology and student affairs committee chair of Phi Kappa Phi, said when she heard Theoharis on NPR discussing the book, she thought it would be interesting for students to learn more about an activist who incited change during a bleak time.

“She was an outstanding figure,” said Mathews, “for what Rosa Parks accomplished as a woman and also on behalf of African-Americans.”

Theoharis will speak about Parks’ life, answer questions and sign copies of the book, which will be sold at the event.

This event is sponsored by the ECU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the Honors College, the Departments of History and Anthropology, the Women’s Studies Program, the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences, and the David Julian and Virginia Suther Whichard Distinguished Professorship in the Humanities.

The public is welcome to attend and tickets are not required for this free event. Attendees may park in the ECU parking lot at Ninth and Cotanche streets.

For more information and questions concerning lecture with Jeanne Theoharis, please contact Holly Mathews at 252-328-9452.