TU welcomes Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha to “campus” for virtual conversation

By Kyle Hobstetter on September 8. 2020

Each fall, Towson University is proud to host an Environmental Conference[BROKEN LINK] that brings together the TU community and highlights career, research, leadership and advocacy opportunities across a wide spectrum of environmental and sustainability focus areas

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Environmental Conference was cancelled. But thanks to technology, the TU and Baltimore County community will still get to talk with the conference’s keynote speaker.

What the eyes don’t see: A Virtual Conversation with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, will take place on Wednesday, September 9 through online video chat.

Dr. Hanna-Attisha is a physician, scientist and activist who has been called to testify twice before the United States Congress, awarded the Freedom of Expression Courage Award by PEN America, and named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. 

Her keynote presentation will showcase how her research exposed the water crisis in Flint, Michigan, amplifying national conversations and efforts that continue to this day around water quality and environmental justice. 

She is also the author of What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City, which was awarded the Maryland Humanities 2019 One Maryland One Book, and was named as a New York Times Notable Book and to Oprah Winfrey’s 2018 summer book guide.

“Because of her instrumental work to unveil the Flint, Michigan water crisis, the opportunity to host Dr. Mona at TU was incredibly fitting,” says Luis Sierra, assistant director of Civic Engagement. “We hope that attendees will walk away with new insights and action steps that each of us can take to address the environmental issues we face today.

“Though the Flint, Michigan water crisis was unveiled six years ago, it is still as relevant as ever today, especially when considering the environmental justice issues that cities like Baltimore face today, or have the potential of facing in the future.” 

The theme for this year’s environmental conference was supposed to echo Dr. Hanna-Attisha’s work in Michigan, and was titled H2OPE: Access, Security, and Equity.

After members of the planning committee read Dr. Hanna-Attisha’s book, Sierra says he and members of the group are excited to have an “incredibly empowering conversation, especially in the midst of all this.”

“I think conversations like these shed light about the interconnectedness between issues such as the water crisis in Flint, and environmental issues that exist here in Maryland, including water safety, food equity, waste, and air quality,” Sierra says.

“It's also important for our students to see themselves through the lens of people like Dr. Mona, whose activism and advocacy started during her younger years as well. In high school, for example, she was part of the efforts to stop an incinerator in her town from being reopened,” he says. “In a similar way as many of our students are currently engaged in environmental justice work, both inside and outside of the classroom. 

The event is free and open to the public, but those interested must register beforehand.

It is hosted by the Office of Civic Engagement & Social Responsibility[BROKEN LINK], the Office of Sustainability, the Department of Environmental Science & Studies and the Department of Geography & Environmental Planning.  It’s sponsored through a grant by The Citizens of Baltimore County and PNC Bank.

The event is also part of Towson University’s Civil Action Month.  Check out a complete schedule of other events that will take place later this month.

This story is one of several related to President Kim Schatzel’s priorities for Towson University: TU Matters to Maryland.