Matthew Shepard's Mother to Discuss Hate Crime in Talk at Holy Cross

WORCESTER, Mass. – In October of 1998, a college student named Matthew Shepard was brutally attacked and murdered because he was gay. Since then, his family created a foundation to carry on his legacy by fighting for social justice, speaking out about hate crimes and working for gay and lesbian equality. Matthew's mother, Judy Shepard, will discuss the work of the foundation in a lecture at Holy Cross on Tuesday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Ballroom of the Hogan Campus Center. The event is free and open to the public. Judy Shepard is determined to use the grief over her son's death to make a difference - to do what she can to ensure that no other parent will have to endure what she did. She has made the prevention of hate crimes the focus of her work and is speaking to audiences nationwide about what can be done to make communities safer for everyone. The lecture is sponsored by the Holy Cross Campus Activities Board and Allies.