Fisher College Panel Discussion & Photo Shoot 2016

Join us for a day of No Evil Project activities! Members of the Fisher College community are encouraged to stop by and participate in the No Evil Project for free during two photo sessions. In addition to the normal photo shoot, this event will also include a public panel discussion and student discussion. Here's the schedule:

• 10:00am - 12:15pm Photo Session 1, Alumni Hall
• 12:30pm - 2:00pm Panel Discussion, Alumni Hall Stage
• 2:00pm - 4:00pm Photo Session 2, Alumni Hall
• 4:00pm - 5:00pm Student Discussion, TRR

Panel Discussion

The panel discussion will be focused on learning about differences and challenging preconceived notions and stereotypes and will include representatives of the Muslim, LGBT, and race communities. Moderated by Chris Shine of Boston radio station Magic 106.7. It is free and open to the public. Preregistration is required.

Dr. Abdul Cader Asmal

Past President of the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland; Founding member of the Islamic Council of New England; Co-director of Communications

Dr. Abdul Cader Asmal is a retired physician originally from apartheid South Africa; he obtained his medical education in London MBBS 1963, MD Thesis 1972 PhD thesis 1980

He came to the US in 1980 and became Board certified in Internal Medicine in 1983 and in Endocrinology and Metabolism in 1985

According to Dr. Asmal, he was marginalized because of his color while living in South Africa; in the US he faced similar challenges because of his Muslim beliefs. In correcting the misconceptions followed by the deliberate demonization of Islam, Dr. Asmal became president of the Islamic Center of Boston followed by President of the Islamic Council of New England and served as its Communications Chairman

Since retirement in 2011 Dr. Asmal has become a Member of the Needham Human Rights Committee and the Needham Clergy Association, and last year a Director of Christian Concerns for Muslims (CMM).

Paula Lima Jones

Racial Justice Program Manager, YWCA Boston

Paula Lima Jones joined YW Boston in July 2014 as Racial Justice Program Manager. Through this position she coordinates YW Boston’s adult anti-racism work, which includes the Dialogues on Race and Ethnicity program and annual Stand Against Racism.

Prior to joining the YW Boston staff, Paula served for nearly eight years, as the director of diversity initiatives at Dickinson College, a private liberal arts college, located in PA. In this role, she worked with students, faculty/staff, and community partners around social justice advocacy, training, and education in addition to program and leadership development.

Paula earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emory University (Atlanta) and her master’s degree from Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg branch, in Community Psychology & Social Change.

Ellyn Ruthstrom

Executive Director, SpeakOUT Boston

Ellyn Ruthstrom is Executive Director of SpeakOUT Boston, the nation’s oldest LGBTQIA speakers bureau that trains volunteers to speak about their lives at schools, colleges, religious classes, and businesses to fight homo-bi-transphobia and other prejudices. She was recently appointed to the Melrose Human Rights Commission and as president of the Bisexual Resource Center, the oldest national bi-specific organization; Ellyn co-facilitated the first White House Roundtable on Bisexual Issues. Ellyn was a state commissioner with the Massachusetts LGBTQ Youth Commission for two years while she was also the Editor-in-Chief of Teen Voices, a national feminist magazine and website for teen girls. Ellyn is a writer and editor and has published in a variety of print and online publications including the Women's Review of Books, The Review Review, Huffington Post, and Bilerico.com. Ellyn has a bachelor’s degree from Heidelberg University in English and her master’s degree in women’s studies from The Ohio State University, where she taught as a lecturer for three years.

Register for the Panel Discussion