Center rallies for human rights as part of global movement


FIU students and faculty on stage at the Women’s Rally in South Florida, Downtown Miami.

More than 5 million people around the world peacefully marched and rallied January 21, 2017 in support of the Women’s March on Washington, D.C. taking place that day. Key issues unifying the crowds included women’s rights, immigration reform, health care reform, environmental issues, LGBTQ rights and racial justice.

In solidarity, nearly 10,000 people gathered at Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Downtown Miami for the Women’s Rally in South Florida. FIU’s Center for Women’s and Gender Studies supported the initiative. As part of the rally’s executive planning committee, women’s studies adjunct professor Sandy Skelaney was responsible for recruiting and coordinating logistics for all speakers at the rally including Patricia Ireland, the longest-serving president of the National Organization for Women (1991-2001).

Skelaney’s charge to attendees — get involved and fight for human rights.

Sandy Skelaney and Michaela Kocoglu of FIU’s Center for Women’s and Gender Studies join FIU students on stage.

Feminist and former NOW president Patricia Ireland (left) with FIU’s Sandy Skelaney (right).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skelaney is director of the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies Initiative for Gender Violence Prevention. To learn more about the initiative and how to get involved, visit womenstudies.fiu.edu.