AUTHORS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS HEAD TO COA AND JESUP THIS WEEK
Crafting effective action for social change at COA & Finding Hope in the Face of Polarization and Climate Change
BAR HARBOR —Authors and environmentalists George Lakey and Sue Inches head to the College of the Atlantic and the Jesup Memorial Library for a duo of programs this Wednesday.
FIRST UP: AT THE COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC
Strategies for successful activism and an exploration of the challenges and opportunities of working for social change are the focus of an afternoon workshop with Quaker activist George Lakey and climate advocate Sue Inches on Wednesday, May 3rd, from 2:15-4 p.m., in the Thomas S. Gates, Jr. Community Center at College of the Atlantic.
Effective Action for Social Change is free and open to the public but pre-registration is encouraged by contacting Gray Cox at gray@coa.edu or via phone at (207) 460-1163.
THEN THE JESUP MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Finding Hope in the Face of Polarization and Climate Change: A Conversation with activists Sue Inches and George Lakey will be on Wednesday, May 3rd at 7 p.m.
Ordinary people have more power to change the world than they think they do. It’s hard to stay positive and motivated with the increasing polarization, difficult politics, and the climate crisis in front of us every day. Please join activists Sue Inches and George Lakey to find out why the disruptions we face may be the best opportunity we’ve had in years to create a future that is compassionate, peaceful and healthy.
This event is a hybrid program and registration is required to attend either in person or on Zoom. Register at jesuplibrary.org/events/hope or email eventsignup@jesuplibrary.org.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Sue Inches, a 1979 graduate of COA, is a passionate advocate for environmental rights and energy democracy, and has worked extensively in public policy, working waterfront access, community finance, and rural broadband. Nonviolent revolutionary George Lakey, a deeply spiritual man with a rebel heart, has dedicated his life to fighting for peace, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, labor justice, and the environment. Together, they will share insights and expertise from their many years of experience as social justice activists.
Lakey’s most recent book, Dancing with History: A Life for Peace and Justice, is a memoir of a Quaker activist and master storyteller on his involvement in struggles for peace, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, labor justice, and the environment. His life is the subject of a documentary directed by Glenn Holsten which is now in the works.
“George Lakey stands out for the sheer range of his contributions to peace and justice, especially in strategy and theory, organizing, innovative and risky actions, and teaching and training others. His upbeat, soul-driven spirit underlies it all,” said Daniel Ellsberg, a peace activist, author, and former US military analyst who released The Pentagon Papers.
Since childhood, Susan Inches has envisioned a world that is compassionate, inclusive, and environmentally aware. This vision guided her through a 25-year career in public policy. As Deputy Director of the Maine State Planning Office, she lobbied for a portfolio of environmental policy issues on behalf of the Governor. She now works as a speaker, educator, author and advocate with a focus on the environment and climate change.