In celebration of Women's History Month, the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies at Wayne State University will host the Max Mark-Cranbrook Peace Lecture and Peacemaker Awards from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, at NextEnergy in Detroit.
Filmmaker, philanthropist and activist Abigail Disney will be the guest lecturer. Disney is the recipient of the 2015 Global Peacemaker Award, presented by the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies.
"Abigail Disney documents some of the most exciting and important peace initiatives of our time," said Frederic Pearson, Center for Peace and Conflict Studies director. "The Tribeca award-winning film Pray the Devil Back To Hell told the extraordinary story of the courageous Christian-Muslim peace movement that ultimately toppled Charles Taylor and ended the civil war in Liberia, a country unfortunately still ravaged by the consequences of Ebola. What could be more timely and inspiring than great artistry devoted to public awareness? She is continuing her remarkable career with new productions on women's roles in peacemaking."
During the event, notable individuals and groups who have made a key difference in promoting peaceful relations in the Detroit community and around the world also will be honored. This year's Community Peacemaker Awards will be given to:
• Eide Alawan, Islamic Center of America, for forming positive collaborations across ethnic lines in the community.
• Annie Ellington, architect of the Detroit Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.
• Anthony Holt, Wayne State University chief of police, for engineering a model of positive policing in and around the community.
• Esther Shapiro, Detroit public servant, for raising consciousness of both consumer and civil rights.
WDET 101.9's Sandra Svoboda will lead the evening's program. There will be a showing of Pray The Devil Back To Hell at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at NextEnergy. The showing is free and open to the public.
The event is $25 for the lecture, award ceremony and dessert reception or $10 for the lecture and award ceremony only. Students may attend the lecture and award ceremony for $5 (student ID is required). Payments will be accepted at the door.
For more information, contact Barbara L. Jones at 313-577-3518 or barbaraljones@wayne.edu.
Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering more than 370 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 28,000 students.