Judy Shepard, who will speak at Berea College on Feb. 15, lost her 21 year-old son, Matthew, to a murder inspired by anti-gay hate in October, 1998, an event that galvanized millions of people and focused the nation's attention on the growing incidence of hate crimes.

Now, an activist working in support of gay rights issues and the prevention of hate crimes, Judy Shepard will speak on what can be done to make schools and communities safer for everyone, regardless of sex, race, religion or sexual orientation.

Her talk, "The Legacy of Matthew Shepard," is scheduled at 8 p.m. in Phelps Stokes Chapel.

In the aftermath of her son's death, Shepard and her husband Dennis founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation to advance gay tolerance and anti-hate crime initiatives, causes their son had championed during his life.

Among other activities, Judy Shepard has testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act and appeared in television public service announcement campaigns aimed at curbing anti-gay violence and promoting a greater understanding of gay issues. As part of her activities with Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), she wrote an open letter to school administrators of high schools throughout the U.S. encouraging school officials to make schools safer for gay students.

Free and open to the public, the program is co-sponsored by Berea College Convocations, the Student Government Association, Campus Activities Board, Campus Activities, ACE League and the Coalition for Community Building.