Social Justice, Human Rights Conference Scheduled Saturday

With the aim of creating a local framework for finding solutions, formulating policies and moving from advocacy to action, the Theta Pi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., in collaboration with the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey, will host a Social Justice and Human Rights’ Symposium to address those questions.  

The conference, scheduled for this Saturday, will serve as a forum to address the issues of domestic violence, children aging out of foster care, human trafficking and financial independence. It will be held at Burlington County College’s Mount Laurel campus, 1000 Briggs Road.

According to Yvette M. Sample, Theta Pi Omega president, “The purpose of the symposium is to stimulate discussion on the issues that impact our region and to inspire the public to move from advocacy to action. With such an impressive line up of leaders participating, this panel should produce innovative solutions that will represent the action plan for Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission and serve as a model for others to emulate as they tackle today’s complex problems.”

The participants cross several disciplines and industries, including lawyers, social workers, and psychologists. Presenters include Alpha Kappa Alpha member and Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes, who made history in 2009 as the first Latina county prosecutor in New Jersey, the first woman prosecutor in Passaic County, and the first lead prosecutor of Dominican ancestry in the United States. Also speaking will be the Honorable Marilyn Williams, Newark Municipal Court judge, Alan Joffee, and a keynote address by Rev. Darrell Armstrong, pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton.

While their missions are diverse, they are all bound by a resolve to address problems of global poverty, economic empowerment, and youth advocacy, a release from the sorority stated.

"The purpose of the conference is to raise awareness about these human rights and gender equality issues and to teach the participants how to advocate in order to improve the lives of those affected,” said Linda James-Beavers, co-chair of the symposium. “We have assembled a stellar panel of speakers that will enlighten and motivate all those who attend.”

The public is invited to attend. Visit surveymonkey.com/s/DX75PM7 to register. Registration includes all workshops, a continental breakfast and lunch.