When Helen Zia first visited Princeton, the campus was shut down in protest of the war in Vietnam and for racial equality. She dove into Princeton life, joining a sit-in at Firestone that led to the now Carl Fields Center, being a founder of the AASA, traveling to the People’s Republic of China in 1972. After Princeton, she went to medical school and quit after two years to work as a construction laborer, autoworker and community organizer, after which she discovered her life’s work as a writer. As an award-winning investigative reporter, she covered date rape when the concept was new, and women in neo-Nazi/white supremacist groups while she was executive editor of “Ms.” magazine. She has published three books, the latest due out in January. Zia’s efforts for human rights includes carrying the Olympic torch in 2008 and serving as an expert witness in the landmark marriage equality case that was decided in the Supreme Court; she has been married three times, all to her wife Lia.
Helen Zia ’73
Events
Heart-to-Heart: In-Depth Dialogues with Pioneering Princetonians
Saturday, October 6
Majka Burhardt ’98, Professional Climber and Executive Director, Legado, interviewed by Julia Boorstin Samuelson ’00, CNBC Senior Media & Entertainment Correspondent
Meet Majka Burhardt, author, professional climber, filmmaker and entrepreneur and hear how her passion, purpose and pursuit of excellence have taken her around the globe.
McCosh Hall, Room 10
Gabrielle Sulzberger ’81, General Partner of Fontis Partners, interviewed by Kim Goodwin ’81, CEO, Avanico Holdings
Meet Gaby [Simms] Sulzberger, one of the first women of color in private equity investments. Gabrielle has served on corporate boards since 2003. She chaired the board of directors for Whole Foods, defending the company from activist investors and overseeing the company through Amazon’s acquisition in 2017.
Alexander Hall, Richardson Auditorium
Helen Zia ’73, Author and Activist, interviewed by Melanie Lawson ’76, News Anchor and Reporter, KTRK-TV ABC-13
Meet Helen Zia, a child of the civil rights era, who quit medical school to work as a construction laborer, auto worker, a feminist community organizer before finding her life’s work as an author and activist. Her passion for journalism and activism led her to Ms. magazine and global encounters.
McCosh Hall, Room 50