LAWRENCE — A young attorney who prompted a political firestorm over Obamacare and contraception will be the speaker at the Emily Taylor and Marilyn Stokstad Women’s Leadership Lecture at Kansas University Wednesday night at 7:30. Last year, Republican leaders of a house committee refused to let Sandra Fluke speak before their panel while they working on an Obamacare exemption that allowed religious groups to refuse contraception coverage for employees’ health insurance plans. Instead, she ended up testifying before a panel of Democrats protesting the rejection. Conservative talking head Rush Limbaugh mischaracterized her testimony and called her a slut and prostitute during some on-air rants over a couple of broadcasts. His comments ignited angry protests, and many top Republicans repudiated Limbaugh’s insults, and boycotts caused 100 companies to cancel ads on his show. He later issued an apology to Fluke. Fluke’s lecture, “Making Our Voices Heard,” will be at Woodruff Auditorium in the Kansas Union. The event is free and open to the public, and a reception will follow. She’ll talk about how she transformed the personal attacks into an opportunity to advocate for important social justice concerns for women. She will also discuss legislative trends concerning social justice.
Tuesday, March 26, 3 p.m.
