
Please Join Us For Our Upcoming Virtual Events


Jan 25
4/7pm


Know Your Rights
Sometimes we might forget that protections for religious freedom include protection of non-religion. The First Amendment protects your right to hold and express your own beliefs, or lack thereof, as well as the right to not be pressured or coerced into participating in religious activities. Additionally, you have the right to be free from discrimination based on your secular identity. Liz Cavell from Freedom From Religion Foundation will lay out your rights as a secular student and what to do when your school or community don't respect them.
Liz Cavell is a staff attorney with the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Jan 29
12/3pm

Thomas Paine Day Proclamation Celebration
Hear ye, hear ye! Join us to celebrate the birthdate of Thomas Paine!
Come one, come all!
The Thomas Paine Day Proclamation Celebration will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Noon (PDT)/3:00 PM (EDT) with a special message from Congressman Jamie Raskin. Professor Emeritus of History at the University of London, Greg Claeys will provide a keynote about the life of Thomas Paine. Participants will also learn how to submit a Thomas Paine Day proclamation for their local community.
Feb 9
4/7pm

Black Freethought from Slavery to Civil Rights
This talk will explore the origins of black freethought among 19th century slaves, many of whom could not reconcile notions of a loving God with their condition on Earth. The talk will then examine the intersection of freethought with twentieth century cultural and political movements such as the Harlem Renaissance, radical leftist politics, and the Black Power movement. Cameron argues that religious skepticism was prevalent among some of the most prominent voices in African American history, including Frederick Douglass, W. E. B. Du Bois, A. Phillip Randolph, Richard Wright, James Baldwin, Lorraine Hansberry, Huey Newton, and Alice Walker.
Christopher Cameron is Professor of History and Interim Chair of the Africana Studies department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Feb 16
3/6pm

February SSA Member Meeting
Feb 21
4/7pm

Origins Count: Why Evolution is True
The Theory of Evolution is the foundation for biology and many other scientific and medical fields. As the famous biologist and Christian Dobzhansky wrote in 1973, “Nothing in Biology makes sense except in the light of evolution.” Our practical applications of modern medicine would be impossible without its epistemological framework. Dr. Peters, a medical doctor and expert on evolutionary theory, will share some of his favorite examples that clearly illustrate evolutionary processes at work and put the lid on creationist dogma.
Jon Peters received his MD from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He served on the Advisory Board of CFI Portland and gives lectures on evolution and creationism throughout the Northwest.

Mar 7
4/7pm

The Struggle for Abortion Rights
Featuring a panel discussion with leading proponents for reproductive rights, we will present on the state of abortion rights in the US and the road forward to win back federal protections and ensure access to safe and legal abortion in all 50 states. Our panelists will present practical advice on campus advocacy, ensuring access to all aspects of reproductive healthcare, as well as discuss legal and political perspectives. Participants will walk away knowing effective steps forward for ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive care for all people.
Bridget Winkler is a Reproductive Rights & Health Legal Fellow at National Women’s Law Center, where she primarily works on federal abortion policy issues.
Pamela Merritt is Executive Director of Medical Students for Choice, where she leads a dynamic team working to create tomorrow’s abortion providers and pro-choice physicians.
Lauren Morrissey is the co-founder and co-director of the Student Coalition for Reproductive Justice (SCRJ), a student-powered organization fighting for access to sexual and reproductive healthcare on Catholic college campuses.
Mar 23
3/6pm

March SSA Member Meeting
Apr 3
4/7pm

Secular Seder: Passover Without God
Passover is the Jewish celebration of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus, and you don't need a god to celebrate that kind of human liberation. The seder, a traditional meal with foods symbolizing the struggle and joy of liberation, is a great way for us to commemorate movements against all forms of oppression from ancient times through today. Join us as we have a seder without a god and demonstrate how the Passover seder can be a universal call for human rights and dignity.
Presented in partnership with the Society for Humanistic Judaism
Apr 20
3/6pm

April SSA Member Meeting
May 18
3/6pm
