Child Advocate to Give Mackin-Mailander Alumni Lecture

Billie Larkin, an advocate for children who have suffered abuse, will give the Clarke University Mackin-Mailander Alumni Lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Jansen Music Hall on the Clarke campus. The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. In her lecture, titled “Ya Gotta Believe: Values to Vision,” Larkin (’70) will talk about how her values and determination mingled to make a significant difference in the lives of countless children in Illinois and throughout the nation.  Larkin’s passion for helping others is undeniable. For the last 20 years, Larkin has been involved with the National Children’s Alliance movement for children who have been sexually or physically abused. Larkin has devoted her life to improving the lives of children as a volunteer and as a working professional.  “As executive director for the umbrella agency that serves Illinois’ 38 Children’s Advocacy Centers and last fiscal year 10,650 children, my plate seems to be expandable to platter size on most days,” said Larkin. She and her staff provide prevention education and multidisciplinary services to children who have suffered abuse. She has passed two important pieces of legislation in Illinois during her tenure, one in 2007 for fees and fines for criminal payment to CACs, and most recently, Erin’s Law. Erin’s law provides for prevention education to pre-K through fifth-grade children. For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6318. Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students who positively impact their workplace, family and community. Academic offerings include more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs, a robust adult degree program and six graduate degree programs.  Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in the thriving city of Dubuque, Iowa. It is the only BVM university in the country.