Olympia’s Karen Johnson to keynote state NOW conference

The National Organization for Women’s Washington chapter will feature Karen Johnson, co-founder of the Black Alliance of Thurston County, as the keynote speaker at its annual conference Saturday in Seattle.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Where Passions Meet: Racial and Gender Justice.” Johnson was chosen to speak because of her experience working with people of color and white allies, and her work with a coalition of lawmakers and stakeholders to create a task force addressing policing and the use of deadly force in Washington.

The conference will include a workshop hosted by Maru Mora Villalpando addressing challenges in reproductive justice.

The daylong event is hosted by the Northwest African American Museum at 2300 S. Massachusetts St. in Seattle. The conference is open to the public. Entrance costs $25 at the door for nonmembers, and a sliding scale fee for NOW members. Any nonmember joining the organization for $35 will be allowed free entrance. For information, call 360-357-7272.

This story was originally published May 7, 2016 at 7:05 PM with the headline "Olympia’s Karen Johnson to keynote state NOW conference."