OUR MISSION

This annual symposium honors the work and memory of the late and honorable J. Paul Taylor, an educator, state representative, NMSU alumni and former NMSU Registrar. The symposia tradition originated within the College of Arts and Sciences, and this year, we are partnering with the Office of Land Grant Inclusive Mission. The 2026 JPTSJS titled "Ni Una Más: Standing Together Against Feminicide and Gender-Based Violence" scheduled for April 7 & 8, will serve as the 20th anniversary of the 2006 JPTSJS “Justice for the Women of Juarez,” and with families of feminicide victims, scholars, and human rights defenders, we will discuss what has transpired over these last twenty years, including other forms of gender-based violence.

HISTORY OF THE J. PAUL TAYLOR SOCIAL JUSTICE SYMPOSIUM

The J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium, is an expression of NMSU's land grant mission, which each year is devoted to an issue of concern to the state and region. In 2005, the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University established the J. Paul Taylor Social Justice Symposium (JPTSJS). The J. Paul Taylor Symposium is traditionally held in late March or early April, each year, to commemorate the birthday of civil rights activist Cesar Chavez. The symposia are designed to build upon existing university and community partnerships through reciprocal education, outreach and strategizing as part of NMSU’s land-grant mission. Each year scholars, students, community stakeholders and policy makers gather from across the state and region to explore, learn, and work together on strategies for reform and justice. Each symposium has generated local, national and transnational attention addressing varied themes of social justice outlined below.

2006 - JUSTICE FOR WOMEN OF JUAREZ

The Justice for Women symposium took place March 29-31. It was one of the largest gatherings of individuals working to end femicides in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, Mexico, where at the time over 400 women and girls were killed. Over three days, experts and researchers from across the country and Mexico, including families of the murdered women and girls gave testimonials and important information on the topic. Forensic experts such as Oscar Maynez, former forensic chief of the Chihuahua state police, and Mercedes Doretti, of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, were among the participants.

EVENTS

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