On Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., panelists from a wide variety of backgrounds will speak in the Intercultural Center (Room 2100 Student Center) on how art can be a powerful tool in modern and historical contexts to work as a vehicle for social justice. This event is free to everyone, open to the public, and will include a reception with free food and exhibit tour to follow at the Gorgas House Museum.

Throughout March 2025, the Gorgas House has featured an exhibit about our statue of “The Greek Slave” by Hiram Powers made in 1843. This statue was a critical piece of art in the 19th century and helped facilitate discussions on emancipation, women’s rights and suffrage, sexuality, and more. Through guided questions, panel participants and attendees can discuss what this piece of art can mean in modern contexts and how art can work as a vehicle for social justice.

This discussion is in collaboration with the “Art’s Fiery Finger” exhibit at the Gorgas House Museum and the Collaborative Arts Research Initiative, the Intercultural Center, and the Women and Gender Resource Center.

Speaker Bios

Shanaya Daughtrey is a passionate advocate for voting rights, civic engagement, social justice, and education. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration and a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Journalism from The University of Alabama, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. In her role as a School Experiential Education Associate at UA’s School of Social Work, Shanaya facilitates student internships, manages agency contracts, and leads voter outreach initiatives to strengthen civic engagement. Her experience in policy and grassroots advocacy includes conducting legislative research and policy analysis as a Capitol Scholars intern with Van Scoyoc Associates. She has also worked with Return My Vote/Greater Birmingham Ministries on voter restoration efforts and assisted with constituent services in Congresswoman Terri Sewell’s office. A former Woke Vote Fellow, Shanaya has organized town halls, voter engagement efforts, and political education initiatives to empower communities. As the author of Generation Z: The Sleeping Giant Awakens—We Have The Power, she has spoken at national voting rights conferences and on platforms discussing DEI, voting rights, and activism. Committed to driving change, Shanaya continues to champion advocacy, education, and civic empowerment.

Madeline Burkhardt is the Research Outreach Coordinator at the Alabama Museum of Natural History (ALMNH) at The University of Alabama. She contributes to, develops, manages, and implements museum exhibits and educational programs for all age groups. She also works with UA faculty and staff to help them disseminate the broader impacts of their UA-based research. Madeline received her Bachelor of Arts in Art History with a minor in Italian Studies from Auburn University & her Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University. She was previously the Education Coordinator and Curator at the Rosa Parks Museum, where she implemented programs and hosted exhibitions that directly addressed relevant social justice issues and the current civil rights movement.

Oluwafunilayo Miriam Akinpelu is a doctoral student in the English Literature program with a passion for exhibition and an impressive resume to show her talent and skill for her future museum career. Through her graduate work here at UA and her master's degree at Central European University, Hungary, Oluwafunilayo has found every opportunity to gain experience and knowledge about the museum field. She has interned at several museums and archives in Europe and led and curated ten different museum exhibitions and public programs throughout the University of Alabama and the Tuscaloosa community. Her next goal as she works to finish her PhD is to be part of the inaugural University of Alabama Museum's in Greece internship program in the summer of 2025, which will not only allow her to complete the Museum Studies Certificate, but also gain valuable skills in international collaboration, research, and curation to bring back to her work at UA and in her future museum career.

Location

This event will take place in the Intercultural Center (The University of Alabama Student Center, Room 2100). A reception with free food will be followed by an exhibit tour at the Gorgas House Museum.