International Women’s Forum Introduces Susan Hammer Memorial Lecture with Dr. Bernice A. King as Inaugural Speaker

WASHINGTON – The International Women’s Forum (IWF) has announced that Dr. Bernice A. King, CEO of The King Center and daughter of civil rights icons Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, will deliver the inaugural Susan Hammer Memorial Lecture at the IWF World Leadership Conference this May in Seattle, Washington.

This prestigious session will honor the legacy of Susan Hammer, an IWF Oregon member and a trailblazer in law and mediation, as well as a champion for women’s empowerment. The Susan Hammer Memorial Lecture series, established through a historic endowment, will annually feature women leaders who have made significant contributions to civil society.

Dr. King will address “The Civility Crisis: Understanding the Roots and Rise of Uncivil Behavior.” Drawing from her expertise in advocating for nonviolent social change, Dr. King will explore the rise of incivility across various spheres of life—from online interactions to political discourse—and inspire women leaders to foster civil dialogue in today’s polarized world.

Joining Dr. King in the conference’s civility-focused programming is Dr. Arthur Brooks, a Harvard professor and New York Times best-selling author. Dr. Brooks will deliver a talk titled “Love Your Enemies,” offering strategies for overcoming societal divides and embracing differences.

“Dr. King exemplifies the values of civility, justice, and peace, making her an inspiring voice for our global community of women leaders,” said Kimberly Cooper Jaqua, IWF Global Board President. “Through her and Dr. Brooks’ insights, we are reminded of our collective responsibility to build a world rooted in constructive dialogue and mutual respect.”

The IWF World Leadership Conference will convene over 800 women leaders from around the world to address critical global challenges through a women-centered lens. It is an invitation-only event for members of the IWF network.

This milestone lecture highlights IWF’s commitment to advancing women’s leadership, a mission it has championed since its founding in 1974. Today, IWF connects more than 8,500 members across 77 Forums in 35 countries, fostering meaningful relationships among top women leaders across professions and continents.

For more information about the International Women’s Forum and the upcoming conference, visit iwforum.org.