Lunch (En)Counter Series

Lunch (En)Counters takes its name from the famed lunch-counter protests of the Civil Rights era; these events aim to provide campus forums for discussing topical issues related to race and civil rights. It provides excellent opportunities for your students to engage in conversations about diversity beyond traditional classroom walls.

Previous Lectures

An Honest Conversation About the Crisis that is Black Maternal Health Care. Following up on the success of the panel discussion, 'Why are Black Women Rightfully Suspicious of the Healthcare Industry?,' this panel of experts and healthcare activists will analyze how media, class, access, and insurance foster a culture of misunderstanding that contribute to health disparities, racialized motherhood, and the criminalization of self-advocacy of Black women. Zeinab Baba, DRPH, MS, CPH Dept of Health Associate Professor, Heather B. Edelblute, Ph.D. Public Health Sciences Associate Professor, Portia Graham, Postpartum Bereavement and End of Life Doula Coatesville, PA, Kimberly Johnson Ph.D., RDN Dept of Nutrition Associate Professor, tonya thames-taylor, ph.d. Associate Professor Dept of History/African American Studies, Frederick Douglass Institute, Executive Member. Tuesday, April 8, 2025 4:#0-5:30pm Campus Mitchell Room 202 or Virtual

FDI Lunch (En)Counters: "Black Maternal Health Crisis"

Tuesday, April 8th, 2025 4:30 to 5:30 pm

Following up on the success of the panel discussion, “Why are Black Women Rightfully Suspicious of the Healthcare Industry?,” this panel of experts and healthcare activists will analyze how media, class, access, and insurance foster a culture of misunderstanding that contribute to health disparities, racialized motherhood, and the criminalization of self-advocacy of Black women.

View the Black Maternal Health Crisis Lecture Program

Forgotten or Purposely Marginalized?: the Radicalism of Anna Murray Douglass Matters. Married human rights activist Frederick Douglass for over 40 years and the mother of his five children, why is Anna Murray Douglass marginalized in his narrative and legacy? What does Murray-Douglass story tell us about gender expectations and the lore of the self-made man? Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 2-3:15pm Virtual

FDI Lunch (En)Counters: "Anna Murray Douglass: Importance and Legacy"

Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 2 to 3:15 pm

Married to human rights activist Frederick Douglass for over 40 years and the mother of his five children, why is Anna Murray Douglass marginalized in his narrative and legacy? What does Murray-Douglass' story tell us about gender expectations and the lore of the self-made man?

View the Anna Murray Douglass: Importance and Legacy Lecture Program

Why are Black Women Rightfully Suspicious of the Healthcare Industry? This program is for anyone who advocates for health equity, children, and mental health. Learn from the panel of experts. Kimberly Elizabeth Johnson PhD, RDN West Chester University Associate Professor Department of Nutrition, Portia Nichelle Covenant Culture Black Maternal Health Coatesville, PA, Sharon Hardin, Nurse Black Mental Health, Coatesville, PA, Kianna Ackerman West Chester University Black Maternal Health Social Work Graduate Student, Center of Family Services RUCCAS Graduate Assistant. Wednesday, November 6, 2024 3:15 - 4:15pm Mitchell 102 or via zoom (register for zoom link)

Health Equity Panel

Wednesday November 6, 2024 3:15-4:15 PM

Why are Black Women Rightfully Suspicious of the HealthCare Industry?

This program is for anyone who advocates for health equity, children, and mental health

Learn from the Panel of Experts

View the Health Equity Panel Lecture Program

Health Equity Panel Lecture Video

Archived Lectures

FDI Lunch (En)Counters: "The 19th Amendment and Voting Rights in the 21st Century"

Tuesday, October 8th, 2019 12:30 to 2 pm in Sykes Theater

This interdisciplinary panel will discuss the 1920 passage of the 19th amendment that gave women the right to vote a century ago and the importance of voting rights today, why these rights still need protecting, and the responsibility that voting-age citizens have to exercise that right. Audience questions and answers will follow the panelists' presentation.

The panelists for this event are; Dr. Joan Woolfrey (Depts. of Women and Gender Studies and Philosophy), Dr. Linda Stevenson (Depts. of Political Science and Women and Gender Studies), Tammy Williams Tammy Williams (Vision2020 PA State Delegate, Women 100 Partner and Founder/CEO of Envision2bWell powered by She's It LLC.), and Dr. Pamela Gray (President,Chester County League of Women Voters).

PLEASE RSVP: Dr. Anita Foeman (afoeman@wcupa.edu) or Dr. Eleanor Shevlin (eshevlin@wcupa.edu)