Former Democratic candidate to visit

Moseley Braun

arol Moseley Braun, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate and former Democratic candidate in the 2004 presidential race, will give a talk titled "Opening the Doors of Politics: African-Americans and Minorities" at 8 p.m. Thursday, February 19, in Strong Auditorium.

Known for breaking new ground for women and minorities, Moseley Braun worked as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office from 1973 to 1977. In 1978, she was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives and in 1992 became the first African-American Democrat elected to the Senate.

During her time as a state representative, Moseley Braun made education her top priority. She acted as the chief sponsor for the 1985 Urban School Improvement Act, which created parents' councils at every school in Chicago. In 1994, she authored the Educational Infrastructure Act, designed to channel education funds into areas most needed by low-income communities. In addition, she sponsored various education reform bills.

Moseley Braun, who recently withdrew from the presidential race, was vocal during her campaign on support for equal rights and opportunities for women and minorities and for affirmative action programs.

"Affirmative action serves the interests of the whole community--not only the women or minority contractors who may get an opportunity," says Moseley Braun. "Businesses that are owned and operated by women and minorities are statistically more likely to in turn give opportunity to other women and minorities, and so a ripple effect takes place. . . . Breaking up the old boys' network, smashing the glass ceiling, opening doors, not only lets in new competitors but also new talent, new capacity, and new ways of doing business."

Admission for the talk is $5 for the general public; $3 for students with college ID; and free for University undergraduate students with ID. Tickets are available at the Common Market in Wilson Commons and will also be available at the door. For more information, call x5-5911.

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