Legendary feminist, activist and author Gloria Joseph will give a free public presentation at Ithaca College on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Joseph will discuss and read from her recently published book “The Wind is Spirit: The Life, Love & Legacy of Audre Lorde” at 7 p.m. in Textor 101. A reception and book signing will follow.
Professor emeritus of Africana studies at Hampshire College, Joseph has spent more than 60 years confronting the injustices of racism, sexism and homophobia. “The Wind Is Spirit” is a revealing biology/anthology of the late poet and civil rights activist Audre Lorde, Joseph’s partner for more than four decades.
A prolific scholar, Joseph is also the author of the classic novel “On Time and in Step: Reunion on the Glory Road” and the editor of multiple anthologies, including “Common Differences: Conflicts in Black and White Feminist Perspectives” and “Hell Under God’s Orders.” She has founded or cofounded a number of advocacy organizations, including the Che Lumumba School for Truth, the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, the Sisterhood in Support of Sisters in South Africa and Doc Loc Apiary.
Joseph earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Cornell University, where she was the inaugural director of the university’s first institutionalized diversity initiative and served as a professor in the Africana Studies and Research Center. During her Ithaca visit, she will take part in activities at Cornell commemorating the founding of the center and its contributions to the campus and community.
Joseph’s talk is sponsored by the Ithaca College Women’s and Gender Studies Program.