The University of Mary Washington hosted the annual James Farmer Lecture on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in Lee Hall, Room 411. The lecture, presented by Executive Vice President of Mary Washington Healthcare Xavier Richardson, honored the legacy and service of civil rights activist James Farmer. Richardson is a member of the UMW Board of Visitors and is on the board of directors for the James Farmer Scholars program. He also is president of the Mary Washington Hospital and Stafford Hospital foundations. He is known in Fredericksburg for his volunteer efforts with many community organizations and mentoring services for local youth. James Farmer was architect of the 1961 Freedom Rides, which challenged segregation of public transportation throughout the South. He came to UMW in 1984 where he served as a distinguished professor of history and American studies for more than 10 years. Farmer’s life work as a political activist earned him numerous awards and distinctions … [Read more...]