The last of the 2011-12 University Lectures will conclude Thursday with free speech advocate, conservationist and author Terry Tempest Williams.

Williams has been hailed ‘a citizen writer’ who focuses on many prominent societal issues, particularly environmentalism, according to a March 26 SU News release. She is known for her environmental literature, including ‘An Unspoken Hunger: Stories from the Field,’ ‘Leap’ and her most recent book, ‘Why Women Were Birds.’

The event, ‘The Writer as Witness,’ is free and open to the public. It will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. The lecture will be conducted as a conversation between Williams and Don Mitchell, a geography professor in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

‘Her text is passionate, philosophical, honest, eye-opening and thought-provoking,’ said Esther Gray, special assistant for the Office of Academic Affairs. ‘She brings an honesty and openness about our environment that we all need to hear.’

Williams has published work in The New Yorker, The New York Times and Orion Magazine, among others, according to the release. She also received the Wilderness Society’s highest honor, the Robert Marshall Award, in 2006.

Williams said she will discuss major environmental issues, particularly the policies that affect New York, during the discussion. One major environmental issue is the proposed hydrofracking legislation that is currently being debated in the New York State Assembly.

Williams said she is very interested in what Gov. Andrew Cuomo will decide concerning hydrofracking in New York, the damaging chemicals used and the environmental consequences. Recently, she said, she attended a rally in New York City where hydrofracking discussions took place.

As a writer, these environmental issues become economic issues, which ultimately are matters of social justice, Williams said.

One controversial issue that has been discussed among political contenders has been President Barack Obama’s decision to not allow the production of the Keystone Pipeline System. Williams said she strongly supports Obama’s stance.

‘These are issues of water, issues of public land,’ Williams said. ‘We all certainly have a lot at stake with this presidential election.’

In fact, she was one of the protesters who surrounded the White House on Nov. 6 to raise awareness about the nature risks involved in the project.

‘I have committed civil disobedience more times than I like to admit regarding these issues,’ she said.

During her visit to SU, Williams said she is looking forward to hearing the voices of students and what they are passionate about.

‘All these ideas are interconnected,’ she said. ‘I’m interested to see what students have to say and how we can all make a difference.’

Gray said Williams writes using an ethical stance toward life. She has advocated for women’s health issues before Congress and has been a guest at the White House.

Said Gray: ‘I challenge anyone to read any of her articles, or better yet, come hear her speak tomorrow and not go away with questions and much to ponder and think about.’

jbundy@syr.edu  

Published on March 28, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Contact Jen: jbundy@syr.edu