FOR MORE INFORMATION

CONTACT:  Mary Anthony

mary.anthony@trinity.edu

Feb. 13, 2009

Human Rights Activist to Present Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Lecture at Trinity University

SAN ANTONIO – To celebrate Women’s History Month, Trinity University will present Barbara Martinez Jitner, human rights activist, writer, and director, as the 2009 Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Lecture guest at a campus luncheon. The lecture and luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, March 19 in the Coates University Center Fiesta Room.

Ms. Martinez Jitner began her career as an award-winning director of commercials and documentaries, producing the Showtime millennium documentary, An American Tapestry. She was also a producer of the Emmy nominated American Family on PBS. Now president of El Norte Productions, she is currently developing several feature films for Gregory Nava, including Zapata for Disney, and Tattooed Soldier for HBO. All of her speaking fees are donated to Amnesty International and the Women of Juarez Project.  She has focused her research on Juarez, Mexico, a border town near El Paso, where the rape and murders of more than 400 women have gone unsolved.  

Trinity will also show Bordertown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, in the Fiesta Room.  Admission is free. Bordertown stars Jennifer Lopez, and is based on Ms. Martinez Jitner’s research of the Mexican town of Juarez. Ms. Martinez Jitner posed as a factory worker on the U.S./Mexico border in order to uncover a dark world of grueling poverty and sexual abuse.

In recognition of the generous spirit of Mrs. Bowers, the lecture is intended to celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women. As a longtime benefactor of Trinity University, she has supported contributions of women and the value of education throughout her life. The Ruth McLean Bowman Bowers Foundation endowed the lecture with a $500,000 gift to the University. The Bowers Foundation gift is part of Dream. Inspire. Achieve. The Campaign for Trinity University, a $200 million campaign for scholarships and financial aid, enhanced faculty research and program initiatives, and facility improvements.

The event is free for Trinity students, $15 for faculty and staff from the University, and $20 for guests from the San Antonio community.  For reservations or more information, contact Amy Parkhurst at 210-999-7547 or amy.parkhurst@trinity.edu

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