Ellsberg activist-in-residence to give public speech
AMHERST — The Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst announces that Chris Smalls will serve as its 202
Ellsberg Activist-in-Residence.
As part of his residency, Smalls will deliver a public lecture, “From Amazon to Gaza: Organizing, Solidarity, and Civic Courage,” on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Great Hall of Old Chapel.
Smalls is a nationally recognized labor organizer and co-founder of the Amazon Labor
Union, which made history by becoming the first independent union to successfully
organize an Amazon warehouse in the United States. Rising from the shop floor at Amazon’s Staten Island facility, Smalls helped lead a grassroots campaign that challenged one of the most powerful corporations in the world and reshaped national conversations about worker power, corporate accountability, and democracy in the workplace.
Beyond labor organizing, Smalls has drawn national and international attention for his
engagement in global solidarity efforts, including participation in the Gaza Global Flotilla,
reflecting a broader commitment to human rights, moral courage, and principled dissent in
moments of crisis.
As the 2026 Ellsberg Activist-in-Residence, Smalls will be on campus Feb. 22–27,
meeting with students, faculty, and community members; visiting classes; and participating in workshops and conversations focused on organizing, democratic participation, and civic courage.
League of Women Voters Amherst to hold birthday lunch
AMHERST — The League of Women Voters Amherst (LWVA) will host its annual birthday luncheon on Friday, Feb. 28, from 12 to 2 p.m. at Ginger Garden, 351 Northampton Road, featuring a presentation titled “Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors in a Time of Crisis.”
Guest speaker Millicent Thayer of the Pioneer Valley Workers Center and the LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts will discuss what is currently happening in the community and outline meaningful strategies to support immigrant neighbors during challenging times. Attendees will learn practical ways to take action and strengthen local efforts to ensure dignity and safety for all members of our community.
The luncheon will also include discussion of the League of Women Voters Amherst’s efforts around voter engagement and voter turnout locally and nationally ahead of mid-term elections.
Tickets are $30, and students attend free. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. Community members can reserve their seats at: https://www.lwvamherst.org/
For financial assistance, please contact Sue Lowery at susanlowery522@gmail.com.
UMass a Fulbright top producing institution
AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts Amherst has been named a Fulbright Top Producing Institution for the fifth time, a designation awarded to an elite group of U.S. universities with the most faculty researchers and administrators selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program 2025-26.
UMass Amherst faculty members representing the Riccio College of Engineering (Emily Kumpel and Nick Tooker), the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (Margaret Vickery and Christine Ho), the College of Natural Sciences (Panayotis Kevrekidis) and the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Ina Ganguli) were selected last fall to receive Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards. They have since been conducting and sharing research with partner institutions in Africa, Asia, India and Europe.
UMass Amherst is among 25 institutions — and one of only two in New England — named as Fulbright U.S. Scholar Top Producers for 2025-26, the fifth time the university has been recognized among doctorate-awarding, top-tier research universities under the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
As a program of the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright is the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program. Since 1946, it has provided nearly 450,000 talented and accomplished students, scholars, teachers, artists and professionals of all backgrounds with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbright award recipients exchange ideas, build people-to-people connections, and work to address complex global challenges.
Hibernians of Hampden/Hampshire Counties to host Irish Night
The Hibernians of Hampden/Hampshire Counties and Ladies Order invite the public to attend Irish Night in Holyoke 2026 on Feb. 28 at the Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road. Doors open at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m.
The night will feature the Keohane and Kenneally Irish-American Band and a corned beef and cabbage dinner with ribs. The price is $50 per person and valet parking services will be available.
For reservations by Feb. 24 call Joe O’Connor at 413-627-7148, or Fran Hennessey at 413-785-5687 or online at eventbrite.com.
Additional entertainment by the Cassin School of Irish Dance and Piper Matt O’Connor. The night is in memory of Hibernian Daniel P. Curran and will benefit the Maurice A. Donahue Memorial Scholarship.