Pittsburgh activist, retired coal miner, and public school teacher, Kipp Dawson ’94, Chatham alumna, is being recognized in a new gallery exhibit, “Wearing the Movement.” The show features t-shirts from Dawson’s extensive collection dating back to the 1960s. . The lecture will coincide with the opening of a new exhibit of Dawson’s extensive social movement t-shirt collection in the Gurrentz Gallery.

Dawson organized on the frontlines of nearly every major freedom struggle including the Civil Rights Movement, free speech movement, women’s movement, gay liberation movement, labor movement, and education justice movement. She participated in and helped to lead some of the largest and most well-known sit-ins, rallies, marches, and campaigns that led to crucial victories. The t-shirts help to tell the story of this long freedom struggle, both in Pittsburgh and around the world.

The public is invited to view “Wearing the Movement” opening October 15, 2025 at the Susan Bergman Gurrentz ’56 Art Gallery at Chatham University and running through December 12, 2025. The gallery is open weekdays from 11AM to 7PM on the university’s Shadyside campus.

Public reception at 6PM, lecture and Q&A at 6:30PM.

Visit the gallery show before and after the lecture!

There will be a live-stream option for the lecture. Please register to receive the link, which will be emailed closer to the date of the event. Parking information and additional information will also be emailed.

October 15 – December 12, 2025
The Susan Bergman Gurrentz ’56 Art Gallery
Chatham University