By Sarah Kinney
Staff Writer
The Oct. 7 “How Women become Political” event is already sold out, but those interested in hearing from women leaders can head to the Linda K. Paresky Center that night at 5:45 p.m. to view a simulcast.
“This event is about raising the voices of women,” said Director of Simmons Institute of Leadership and Change Diane Hammer. It is also about honoring women leaders both past and present.
The event is featuring speeches from feminist activist and author Gloria Steinem, Mass. Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Boston Councilor at-Large Ayanna Pressley.
There will be a panel discussion moderated by WGBH’s Callie Crossley with the speakers and also President of Babson College Kerry Healey and Former Lieutenant Governor Ambassador Swanee Hunt.
President Drinan will give the welcome address. Massachusetts Senate President Therese Murray will give the closing address.
The forum commemorates the 175th anniversary of Angeline Grimke’s three part address to the Massachusetts State legislature. It was the first time a woman presented to a legislative body.
“Back in 1867, women didn’t speak,” said Hammer.
Grimke had been raised in a slaveholder family, but saw the immorality in it. She advocated to the legislature for the abolition of slavery.
“She looked around her community and tried to make a difference,” Hammer said.
At the event, actress Anne Gottlieb will reenact parts of the speech.
“How Women become Political” is sponsored by the Grimke Event Committee, Simmons College, and sixteen other women’s organizations.
The Grimke committee is “a group of women who came together and decided they need to commemorate this moment in history,” explained Hammer.
Simmons was asked to help with the event because of its founding on the principles of social justice and raising the voices of women, Hammer said.
“This should be happening in every state in this country,” said Hammer.
The event is taking place the John Hancock Hall, 180 Berklee St., from 6 to 8 p.m. You can follow the event on Twitter #WomenPoli2013.
