Washington Univ. (St. Louis): Students Turn Backs To Schlafly During Graduation

[chat_noir]

A group of students, faculty and staff protested Friday morning at Washington University’s graduation ceremony.

They are upset that the university awarded conservative political activist Phyllis Schlafly with an honorary degree.

The group wore armbands, carried anti-Schlafly fliers and even turned their back when she received her award.

The reason for their protest is because Schlafly has built a career speaking out against women in the work force and encouraging them to stay at home.

Schlafly, who holds both a bachelor's and law degree from Washington University rose to prominence in the 70's after she helped defeat the equal rights amendment.

http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=6558721&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1


Hundreds turn back on Schlafly at ceremony

ST. LOUIS -- Several hundred graduates and faculty at the Washington University commencement stood with their backs to the stage this morning, in quiet protest as Phyllis Schlafly received an honorary degree.

But the protest was hardly unanimous. The quadrangle had more than 14,000 people in attendance.

Schlafly, a national leader of the conservative movement, was among six people receiving honorary degrees.

Trustee emerita Margaret Bush Wilson read the citation when the degree was given to Schlafly. Wilson once served as national chairwoman of the NAACP and has been a prominent St. Louis civil rights attorney.

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/stlouiscitycounty/story/6E6CC08CE8A684A88625744B00530609?OpenDocument

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. Kudos to these students

They give me hope for the future.