Luminaries from the past

In his 1989 Assembly Series talk, “Corporate Power in America,” consumer advocate Ralph Nader emphasized the need for the public to hold company leaders responsible for creating safe and effective products. Much of his lecture centered on the “major epidemic of violence in society” caused by unsafe cars being manufactured in the 1960s. It took nearly 20 years for the most significant safety feature — the airbag — to become standard equipment.

“All of us here, all of us anywhere, can really separate ourselves into two groups: those who find ourselves in a position of needing help, and those of us so fortunate we can help others. We have no less a mandate to help others, it’s an investment in human beings.”

When he came to campus in 1984, the Democratic presidential candidate Walter “Fritz” Mondale was greeted by cheering students, and especially by WashU’s female students: Mondale chose the first woman, Geraldine Ferraro, as his running mate, and supported the Equal Rights Amendment.

Julian Bond was a leader in the Civil Rights Movement and activist for social equality and liberty for all people. On (insert date) 2011, he delivered his lecture “Post Racial America: Fact or Fiction.”

The screenwriter, director, actor and producer returned to his alma mater several times, and delivered three Assembly Series addresses (most recently in 2009). He also served two terms on the Board of Trustees, and handled Homecoming's master of ceremonies duties in 1984.

The beloved children's author Maurice Sendak spoke on campus more than once, but on Nov. 29, 1989 his talk was on "Creative Theft."

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt served as First Lady from 1933 – 1945. She was also a politician, diplomat and activist. The first of two lectures Roosevelt presented here, in 1954, was titled, “The United Nations: Our Strongest Ally.”

“Having undergone experiences so bizarre, crushing, ugly, they couldn’t be included in the film “Roots,” they would have burned holes through the foil in the television. Today, we are upwards of 30 million. How have we survived? I suggest the literature. I believe it’s available to all of us to encourage us to survive…and to thrive…and to thrive with some passion, compassion, humor and style.”