JUSTfilms: A fresh series of social justice films that will
educate, inspire, challenge, and move you to action.

Equal Means Equal

Film:
EQUAL MEANS EQUAL offers an unflinching look at how women are treated in the United States today. Examining both real-life stories and precedent-setting legal cases, director Kamala Lopez uncovers how outdated and discriminatory attitudes inform and influence seemingly disparate issues, from workplace harassment to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault to the foster care system, and the healthcare conglomerate to the judicial system. Along the way, she reveals the inadequacy of present laws that claim to protect women, ultimately presenting a compelling and persuasive argument for the urgency of ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment.

Film screening followed by panel discussion and Q&A.

Panelists:
Rebecca Conry, Restaurant Opportunities Center of Pittsburgh
Chaz R. Kellem, Senior Director, Advocacy for Race & Gender Equity, Greater Pittsburgh YWCA Nikki Lu, Western PA Political Director for the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ

Moderator:
Heather Arnet, CEO, Women and Girls Foundation

Bios:
Chaz Kellem is the Senior Director, Advocacy for Race & Gender Equity at YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. Chaz Kellem earned his Master of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership from Robert Morris University and his Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education from Edinboro University.  For almost 10 years, Chaz worked for the Pittsburgh Pirates as the Manager of Diversity Initiatives, where he was responsible for managing the organization’s interaction with various minority constituencies. Chaz departed from the Pirates organization, in October 2015, to accept the position his current role at YWCA Greater Pittsburgh. He serves on several non-profit boards including the CORO Pittsburgh, Visit Pittsburgh, Hill House Association, ACHIEVA, and HOPE Network.  Chaz currently serves as an adjunct professor at Seton Hill University within the Business Department.

Nikkilia Lu, nicknamed Nikki Lu, has her Master’s of Public & International Affairs degree from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public & International Affairs and her B.A. in Political Science from Washington & Jefferson College. Lu has worked at the Pennsylvania Center for Women & Politics, the (former) Office of Councilman Bill Peduto, and Duane Morris Government Strategies, where she diversified her professional experiences in government, research and politics.

In 2013, Lu managed back-to-back victorious electoral campaigns for first-time candidates, now Pittsburgh City Council members, Dan Gilman and Deborah Gross. Lu also serves on the Board of Directors for The Women & Girls Foundation, Pittsburgh United, and Jewish Family & Children's Service - Legal Services for Immigrants and Internationals. She took a position as the Western PA Political Director for the Service Employees International Union, Local 32BJ in 2014.

Heather Arnet spearheads WGF's efforts to develop the female leaders of tomorrow, while investing in better public policy today. Heather joined WGF as its first CEO in 2004. Prior to joining WGF, Heather worked in marketing, business development, and government affairs in the private and non-profit sectors. She is passionately committed to social justice and gender equity. While working for women’s rights is her work at WGF, it is also her life’s work. Arnet has been identified as one of Pittsburgh’s “Top 40 under 40” by Pittsburgh Magazine, as one of the “Top Twelve Noteworthy Business Leaders” by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and received the Diamond Award, for “Outstanding CEO Leadership” by the Pittsburgh Business Times. Arnet has her B.A. degree from Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to her work with the Foundation, Arnet serves as a Board Member of the Ms. Foundation for Women and on the Advisory Boards of WQED Multimedia and The Forbes Funds.

Location

The Eddy Theater

Directions

Parking is free in the Library Parking Lot which you can only enter off of Murray Hill Avenue (not to be confused with Murray Avenue).

Murray Hill Avenue can be reached from both Wilkins and Fifth Avenue and is a cobblestone street. From Fifth Ave, it is located between Maryland Ave and S. Negley Ave. From Wilkins, it is located between Murray Ave and S. Negley Ave.

Campus Map

Contact Information

Melody Harris
(412) 365-1578
m.harris@chatham.edu

Event Sponsors/Partners: