Grambling State News

Grambling State to Host New York Times Best-Selling Author and Political Strategist  

GRAMBLING, LA – March 6, 2020 – Democratic political strategist, Donna Brazile will keynote Grambling State University’s Women’s History Month Convocation on Thursday, March 19, at 11 a.m. in the Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center. Brazile’s keynote address aligns with the 2020 National Women’s History Month theme: “Valiant Women for the Vote.”  

“It’s essential that the entire student population understand the innumerous contributions of women to the fabric of our nation and the advancement of our world, especially as it relates to politics and voting,” said Gourjoine Wade, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.  

Grambling State University, with a population of over 60% women students, has many essential departments led by women, including Connie Walton, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Peggy Hanley, Associate Vice President of Information Technology, and the University’s new Chief Human Resources Officer, Lori Williams.  

“Acknowledging the history of women in politics and culture empowers our students to use their voices for even more women’s advancement,” said Dr. Roshunda Belton, Chair of the History Department. “This year’s election will prove to be another key moment in the history of women’s issues. It’s crucial that our students know their understand their major role in shaping the future.” 

About Donna Brazile

Donna Brazile is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, a syndicated newspaper columnist for Universal Uclick, a columnist for Ms. Magazine, and O, the Oprah Magazine, an on-air contributor to CNN, and ABC, where she regularly appears on ABC’s This Week. Brazile serves as Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation at the Democratic National Committee, and former interim National Chair of the Democratic National Committee as well as the former chair of the DNC’s Voting Rights Institute. 

O, The Oprah Magazine recognized Brazile as one of its 20 “remarkable visionaries” for the magazine’s first-ever O Power List. In addition, she was named among the 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian magazine, Top 50 Women in America by Essence magazine, and received the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s highest award for political achievement. 

Brazile is the recipient of honorary doctorate degrees from Grambling State University, Louisiana State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. She is founder and managing director of  Brazile  & Associates LLC, a general consulting, grassroots advocacy, and training firm based in Washington, DC.  Currently serving on the board of the National Democratic Institute, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, and the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Brazile is the author of the best-selling memoir Cooking with Grease: Stirring the Pots in American Politics. 

Campus and community members are invited to attend this year’s convocation. 

EVENT INFORMATION 

WHO:             Grambling State University 

WHAT:           Women’s History Month Convocation 

WHEN:           Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 11 a.m.  (C) 

WHERE:         Fredrick C. Hobdy Assembly Center, Grambling, LA 

CONVOCATION SCHEDULE 

REGULAR CLASS TIME     ADJUSTED CLASS TIME 

8:00 – 9:20 A.M.                       8:00 – 8:50 A.M. 

9:30 – 10:50 A.M.                    9:00 – 9:50 A.M. 

11:00 – 12:20 P.M.                 10:00 – 10:50 A.M. 

CONVOCATION                    11:00 – 12:30 P.M. 

Regular class schedule resumes at 1:00 p.m. 

For media access or more information, call (318) 243-5012 or email mediarelations@gram.edu.