Although Dorothy Cotton is not as well known as some of her male counterparts, George Rowan can’t wait to hear the civil rights leader speak on campus today.

Cotton will be an inspiration for young black women, Rowan said.

“I think what she is going to offer is dispelling the myth that the civil rights movement was only comprised of men,” the resource development professor said. “She is going to be an excellent role model for black women in the civil rights movement.

“I am really thrilled that she is here. It’s going to be good for the campus. For those who get history as being only masculine, this introduces the feminine aspect that has always been there but was not publicized.”

Cotton is the third speaker in the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Visiting Minority Faculty Lecture Series, “Slavery to Freedom: An American Odyssey.” She will present “Women’s Role in the Civil Rights Movement.”

Cotton was educational director for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1960 to 1972. She is the director of the National Citizenship School, which teaches citizens how to positively contribute to their communities and societies.

Tamera Cox, admissions counselor for minority recruitment in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, said she thinks Cotton will bring a unique female perspective to the series.

“I think it’s an excellent beginning to cultural diversity, particularly including women in the series,” she said. “I think it’s important and I think she is doing an excellent topic. There isn’t a lot of talk about women in the civil rights movement and what they have done.”

The last speaker in the four-part series is the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright Jr. at 4 p.m. on Feb. 28 in Big Ten Room B at Kellogg Center.