Rose Mapendo, a nationally recognized peace activist and humanitarian, will deliver a lecture on Thursday, February 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Light Hall.
Mapendo will share her dramatic life experiences including her time in the violence engulfed Democratic Republic of Congo during the 1990 when she was imprisoned with her family.
Her harrowing experience included the nighttime arrest of her entire family by government agents, the execution of her husband, the birth of their twin sons in prison, and grim negotiations with prison guards to save the lives of her children.
Mapendo emerged from her experiences as an advocate for forgiveness and reconciliation. Today, Mapendo is a global activist for peace and reconciliation and an in-demand motivational speaker. Her work has had a significant impact and encourages world and local leaders to revisit the manner in which they enforce justice.
Mapendo has been honored by the White House and in 2009 was named Humanitarian of the Year by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by an information meet and greet at 7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the WNMU Office of Cultural Affairs and the Western Institute for Lifelong Learning (WILL).
For more information, visit http://wnmu.edu/culture.