Keisha Blain - Hatfield Lecture Series

Speaker: Keisha Blain
Lecture date: February 26th, 2026
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Title: Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights

Keisha N. Blain is one of the most innovative and influential young historians of her generation. A professor of Africana Studies and history at Brown University, a columnist for MSNBC, and former president of the African American Intellectual History Society, Blain’s research and writing examine the dynamics of race, gender, and politics in both national and global perspectives.

Even before they were recognized as citizens of the United States, Black women understood that the fights for civil and human rights were inseparable. Blain’s latest book, Without Fear: Black Women and the Making of Human Rights (September 2025), tells how, throughout two hundred years of American history, Black women were at the forefront of national and international movements for social change, weaving connections between their own and others’ freedom struggles around the world. Without Fear is an account of their aspirations, strategies, and struggles to pioneer a human rights approach to combating systems of injustice.

About The Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series

For over 25 years, the Oregon Historical Society has presented the Mark O. Hatfield Lecture Series, bringing together the nation’s top historians and award-winning authors for thought-provoking evenings of history. The series began at the suggestion of Senator Hatfield and continues as a tribute to his legacy of public service and as an opportunity to share stories of the people and events that have shaped history. Past speakers include notable historians and authors Heather Cox Richardson, David McCullough, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Jon Meacham, Cokie Roberts, and Isabel Wilkerson.

All lectures begin at 7pm and will be held at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland as well as livestreamed.

All lectures in the 2026 Hatfield Lecture Series will feature live ASL interpretation, available in the theatre and via livestream.

All ticket holders will be emailed a recording of the lecture 48 hours after the event. The recording will be available for 14 days. Recorded lectures will have closed captioning.

Tickets to the four-part 2026 Hatfield Lecture Series go on sale to OHS members September 16 at 10am and to the public September 30 at 10am. Not a member but do not want to miss out on discounted tickets and early seat selection? Join today!

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