Activist-in-Residence Spring 2012 - Lauren Zuniga

Lauren Zuniga

Lauren Zuniga is a nationally touring poet, teaching artist and emerging activist who believes in dreaming global and shouting local. In 2010, she challenged the Oklahoma legislature with an evocative video poem that received national attention and made the governor cry. Along with stunning hate mail, she was nominated for State Poet Laureate, performed at the prestigious TEDx conference and has since shared stages with top business leaders, state officials and rock stars.She is the founder of Oklahoma Young Writers, a member of the State Art Council Touring Roster and has represented Oklahoma in 8 national poetry competitions. She has toured from Canada to New York to Texas offering a fresh style of strong imagery and inspiring passion. Her work has been featured in several independent films, on XM radio, and in fun places like Muzzle Magazine and The Good Things About America anthology from Write Bloody Publishing. She was one of seven winners chosen for Write Bloody’s 2011 open submission competition for her second poetry collection, Smell of Good Mud, to be released in April 2012. She currently lives with her two kids in an artist collective named Clementine.

Events:

"Art as Activism" - FEB 2: Gittinger Hall Lounge 109, 3:00- 4:30 p.m.

"Dirt Choir" - FEB 24: Thurman J. White Forum Building, 8 p.m. as part of the welcoming reception for the Take Root Conference.

"Girl:Exploded" - MAR 1: Wagner Hall Room 140, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

"Speaking Truth to Power" - APR 25: Regents room OMU, 7 p.m.Activist in Residence - Lauren Zuniga

What is the Activist-in-Residence Program?

Activist in ResidenceEvery semester, the Center for Social Justice’s Activist-in-Residence Program brings a social justice activist to campus to work with and interact directly with students. The activists come from a variety of social justice backgrounds and travel to Norman from around the world. 

Once on campus activists hold workshops, lead discussion groups, teach classes, screen movies, assist in planning projects and campaigns, and are available to students for informal conversations. The Center for Social Justice believes the personal contact and hands-on approach of the Activist-in-Residence Program truly benefits students and works toward our mission of inspiring students to become involved in social justice activism. Mona Eltahawy

 The Center for Social Justice’s goal for the Activist-in-Residence program is for students to play a significant role in suggesting and selecting the activists. 

Know a local or global social justice activist? Please email us at center.for.social.justice@ou.edu to submit their name. The Center hopes that the direct communication that is available with our Activists-in-Residence will foster openness to the possibility of creating a more peaceful and just world.

Previous A-I-R's

  • Fall 2011 - Pramada Menon is a queer feminist activist and has been working nationally and internationally in the social justice and human rights sector for over two decades.
  • Spring 2011 - Shelby Knox is an activist and blogger, feminist organizer for reproductive justice and sexual health.
  • Fall 2010 - Mona Eltahawy is an award winning columnist and an international public speaker on Arab and Muslim issues.
  • Spring 2010 - Nathaniel Batchelder is Director of Peace House.
  • Fall 2009 - Franciska Issaka is a gender consultant serving development projects in Ghana.

    • Recommend an Activist-in-Residence

    To be considered, AIR recommendations must include: 

    • The name of the activist
    • A brief biography or CV of the activists work
    • The activists contact information
    • What semester being recommended for (spring or fall)

    Send information here: 

    The Women's and Gender Studies 
Center for Social Justice 
University of Oklahoma 
Robertson Hall - Room 103 
731 Elm Avenue
Norman, OK 73019

    Click for more information

    Center for Social Justice