CU-BOULDER WOMEN AND GENDER STUDIES ACTIVIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM Presents
Lunch with an Activist: Why and How to Think Before You Pink
Friday, April 14, 2017 • 1:30 - 3:00pm
Hazel Gates Woodruff Cottage
Lunch Provided - RSVP by Wed. April 12th to
wgst@colorado.edu or 303-492-8923
Join us for a discussion with Karuna Jaggar, Executive Director of Breast Cancer Action, about the “corporatization” of social movements and causes, using the breast cancer movement and the ubiquitous pink ribbon as a case study. We’ll discuss the origins of the pink ribbon, arguably the most successful cause marketing symbol ever created, and explore what values this symbol conveys and how that shapes the demands of the breast cancer movement.
About the Activist: Karuna Jaggar joined Breast Cancer Action (BCAction) as Executive Director in early 2011 and brings a lifelong commitment to social justice to this work. Under her leadership, Breast Cancer Action has grown in size and reach and is a leading source of independent information about breast cancer through one-of-a-kind educational materials, internationally acclaimed webinars, and a strong grassroots Community Leaders program. BCAction was the first – and remains the only – breast cancer organization to speak out about the health harms of fracking and other forms of dangerous drilling and its 2014 campaign challenging Susan G. Komen and Baker Hughes’ pink drill bits “for the cure” was featured on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Karuna is an unapologetic patient advocate for loved ones who have undergone treatment for breast cancer. She is the parent of two daughters and aunt to two nieces, all between the ages of 7 and 10. Karuna holds a Master’s degree in Economic Geography from UC Berkeley, with a special emphasis on Women, Gender, and Sexuality, and received her BA in Philosophy from Smith College.
