Mona Hanna-Attisha, MD, MPH, FAAP, pediatrician, professor, and public health advocate whose research exposed the Flint, Michigan water crisis, will speak at a virtual OVF lecture entitled “From the Flint Water Crisis to Championing Global Policies for Children’s Health” on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 8 p.m. 

Dr. Hanna-Attisha made national news headlines for her efforts to expose the Flint Water Crisis after her research showed increased blood-lead levels in children. Her bestselling book What The Eyes Don’t See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City tells the story of how the city of Flint came together to fight for justice. She described the book as “a story of resistance, of activism, of citizen action, of waking up and opening your eyes and making a difference in our community.” In her lecture, Dr. Hanna-Attisha will discuss how her research proved that Flint’s children suffered from exposure to dangerous levels of lead in the drinking water, the backlash she experienced after going public, and how her efforts in Flint have inspired her to champion children's rights around the world.

"Dr. Hanna-Attisha embodies the humanitarian spirit upon which this lecture series was founded," said Bennett Center Director Ellen Umansky, PhD. "She has used her education and skills in service to others and has continued speaking out against injustice despite the backlash that her words and subsequent efforts created. We are honored to have her with us for what I know will be an eye-opening and inspiring event."

Dr. Hanna-Attisha is the founder and director of the Michigan State University and Hurley Children’s Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, an innovative and model public health program in Flint, Michigan. She has testified three times before the United States Congress, was presented the Freedom of Expression Courage Award by PEN America, and named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for her role in uncovering the Flint Water Crisis and leading recovery efforts. She has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, BBC and countless other media outlets championing the cause of children in Flint and beyond. She is founding donor of the Flint Child Health and Development Fund.

Sponsored jointly by the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts and the Bennett Center for Judaic Studies, “From the Flint Water Crisis to Championing Global Policies for Children’s Health” with Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is the 23rd Annual Jacoby-Lunin Humanitarian Lecture and a premier Quick Center event. The lecture will take place in virtual format on November 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at quickcenter.com. Admission is free for Fairfield students, faculty, and staff, as well as Quick Center Members.