First Lady Conte Hosts Civil Rights Discussion at Conservation Hall
Friday, February 26, 2010 | 12:24am
NASHVILLE - Tennessee First Lady Andrea Conte tonight hosted the first in a series of events at Conservation Hall at the Tennessee Residence. The event, entitled "Equality for All - In Search of Tomorrow's Civil Rights Movement," featured a panel discussion focused on the future of the civil rights movement.
"I felt this discussion would bring out an interesting range of perspectives from the panelists on an issue that's important to us all," said Conte. "Tonight's event was particularly appropriate as we commemorate Black History Month and I look forward to holding additional events at Conservation Hall in the months ahead."
The event featured a discussion on civil rights issues and the types of rights for which Americans may be fighting in decades to come.
First Amendment Center Founder John Seigenthaler moderated the discussion and Governor Phil Bredesen gave closing remarks. Participating panelists included:
- Dr. Tony N. Brown, associate professor, Vanderbilt University Department of Sociology
- Renata Soto, executive director and co-founder of Conexion Americas
- Rev. James Thomas, pastor, Jefferson Street Baptist Church
- Hedy Weinberg, executive director, ACLU of Tennessee
"I congratulate our First Lady Andrea Conte for recognizing the value of public dialogue on issues of import to our state and its future - such as this discussion on civil and human rights," Seigenthaler said. "The forum envisioned in the First Lady Series can only enrich public understanding of the challenges society faces. It was almost 20 years ago we created the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center with the idea that there was value in debate and discussion about the constitutional rights of free expression. In the same way, I anticipate that this innovative First Lady Series will contribute to enlightening dialogue about compelling issues facing our state."
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