Pushing for reforms in incarceration

Metro Justice, Just Leadership USA, VOCAL-NY, and the Rochester Police Accountability Board Alliance will host a program to focus public attention on the problems associated with mass incarceration in Western New York on Friday, November 16.

The event, the Truth Commission on Mass Incarceration, is part of a fight to end pre-trial incarceration, eliminate cash-based bail, and reform trial and discovery laws. In Monroe, Erie, and Onondaga Counties alone, more than 3,500 people are incarcerated in local jails every day. The majority are there because they cannot afford bail, according to the reform activists.

The Truth Commission event will be held at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 141 Adams Street, at 6 p.m. Dinner will be provided, and transportation is also available. Information: Ashley Gantt at 690-7844. RSVP: [email protected].

Empowering women

The University of Rochester and the MK Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence will present two lectures this week in a series called "Conversations with Women Who Lead."

On Wednesday, November 14, Dr. Monica Sharma, a physician and epidemiologist, will discuss "Transformational Leadership." Sharma worked for the United Nations on leadership development for more than 20 years. Her work has involved governments, businesses, media, and political and community organizations.

On Thursday, November 15, Doris Gray, director of the Hillary Clinton Center for Women's Empowerment at Al Akhawayn University, Morocco, will speak on "Women's Empowerment." Gray is the author of several books, including "Women and Social Change in North Africa: What Counts as Revolutionary?" and "Beyond Feminism and Islamism: Gender and Equality."

Both lectures will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Hawkins Carlson Room of the Rush Rhees Library, Hawkins Carlson Room.