Munro Institute News & Events
Upcoming Events
Western's Munro Institute for Civic Education Presents:
Past Events
Ukraine-Russia Teach-In
Friday, March 4th (3:00-4:30 pm)
Come learn more about the current crisis and its roots in Ukrainian/Russian history and international politics. Get your questions answered.
Speakers include:
- Professor Cynthia Horne (PoliticalScience)
- Professor Yuliya Tverdova (PoliticalScience)
- Professor Susan Costanzo (History)
You can view a recording of the webinar here.
Co-sponsored by the WWU International Affairs Association.
Fall Seminar 2021: Complex Problems and Cross-Party Conversations
November 4, 2021
How to Reduce Harm? Addiction & Drug Policy
and
Priced Out: A Conversation about Housing Affordability
Each panel brings together State legislators, Washington University faculty and local government officials.
"Towards a More Perfect Democracy" Conversation Series
On October 6 and October 13, 2020 the Institute partnered with the Whatcom County League of Women Voters to present two panel conversations to celebrate the anniversary of the passage and ratification of the 19th amendment to the Constitution extending voting rights to women. These panels, part of our "Toward a More Perfect Democracy" conversation series, highlighted the challenges other groups, primarily BIPOC, have faced around voting and other kinds of political participation.
To listen to recordings of the conversations, please click on the links below.
October 6
This virtual presentation, “Imperfect Democracy: Exploring historical and contemporary threats to the franchise and political voice,” is moderated by Kate Destler, Western Washington University Political Science professor and looks at the history and future of the struggle for political voice. Panelists include:
Marco Morales, President, Indigenous Studies Foundation
Dr. Christopher Parker, Professor of Political Science, University of Washington
Dr. Peter Pihos, Assistant Professor of History, Western Washington University
Breanna Weider, Policy Analyst, Washington State Office of Attorney General
October 13
This virtual presentation, “Making Our Voices Heard: Beyond voting--what can we do to enhance political voice for all?” is moderated by Kate Destler, Western Washington University Political Science professor and looks at the history and future of the struggle for political voice. Panelists include:
Dr. Larry Estrada, Associate Professor Emeritus, Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies
Sahar Fathi, Policy Director, Washington State Office of the Attorney General
Julie Sa’Leit’Sa Kwina Johnson, Enrolled Lummi and Co-Chair, Native Vote, Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians
Dr. Melina Juarez, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Western Washington University
Celebrating 100 Years of Women's Right to Vote
The Munro Institute is pleased to partner with the League of Women Voters Bellingham/Whatcom County and other community organizations to offer a series of public presentations marking the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote and the 19th amendment. We hope you will join us as you are able; all events are free and open to the public.
Towards a More Perfect Democracy: The Struggle for Voice in America
Join us for a monthly series of lively, thought provoking discussions moderated by WWU Professor of Political Science Kate Destler. All programs will be held in the Rotunda Room of the Whatcom Museum’s Old City Hall, 121 Prospect Street, Bellingham.
Author Event: Elaine Weiss and The Woman’s Hour
Update 1/25/2021
You can listen to a recording of Elaine Weiss' presentation by clicking here.
February 27, 2020 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Join us for a special event featuring Elaine Weiss(opens in new window), author of The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight for the Vote at the Main Stage of the Performing Arts Center at Western Washington University at 6:30 pm. The Woman’s Hour not only recounts how women won the vote, but also shows how the core themes of American history – race, class, money, gender, state’s rights, power, and democracy all came into play in Nashville, Tennessee, during the summer of 1920. Published in 2018, the book will be developed into a television production by Steven Spielberg with Hillary Rodham Clinton as Executive Producer. Author Elaine Weiss brings this gripping story and the many characters to life. A reception with the author will follow her presentation.
About the Author: Elaine Weiss is a journalist and author whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, Harper’s, The New York Times, and The Christian Science Monitor, as well as in reports and documentaries for National Public Radio and Voice of America. A MacDowell Colony Fellow and Pushcart Prize Editor’s Choice honoree, she is the author of the highly acclaimed narrative non-fiction book, The Woman's Hour: The Great Fight for the Vote (Viking 2018), hailed as a "riveting, nail-biting political thriller" with powerful parallels to today's political environment. Weiss is also the author of Fruits of Victory: The Woman’s Land Army in the Great War, the inspiring story of a long-forgotten women's movement. She lives in Baltimore.
Campus parking lots have been reserved for you in lots 6V, 7G, 11G and 9G. Campus Map
This event is sponsored by the Ralph Munro Institute for Civic Education, League of Women Voters Bellingham/Whatcom County, and Village Books, with support from the Washington State Historical Society and Washington State Women’s Commission’s Votes for Women Centennial Grant and the LWV of Washington Education Fund. The event is free and open to the public.