The Role Model Leaders' Forum is an annual event that honors an outstanding regional, national, or international leader who speaks on leadership and the challenges today's leaders face.

                                              Honoree:     Judy Shepard

                                             Date:           February 3, 2004

                                  Time:          7:30 p.m.

                                 Where:       Ballroom, Talley Student Center

*Registration is not required.

In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21 year-old son to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate.  Their ordeal moved thousands of people around the world to attend vigils and rallies in Matthew's honor.  Determined to prevent their son's fate from befalling others, Judy and Dennis established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew's legacy by embracing the just causes he had championed.  This included working for gay and lesbian equality, hate crime legislation, and raising awareness using programs developed by the Foundation.  Judy is determined to use her grief over her son's death to make a difference.  She is now speaking to audiences nationwide about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression.  A portion of the proceeds from her speaking engagements go toward the support of the Matthew Shepard Foundation.

Our past honorees include Samuel Tso, Coach Doug Blevins, Maya Angelou, General Henry H. Shelton, Sgt. Dana Bowman, Dr. Madeline Cartwright, NC Agriculture Commissioner James Graham,, Mr. Li Lu, Chief Wilma Mankiller, Mr. Reef C. Ivey, III, Ms. Kay Yow, Dr. Isabella Cannon, Dr. Leroy Walker, Dr. Elisabeth Zinser, Governor James B. Hunt, and Dr. William Friday.