Margaret Hallock Program for Women's Rights

Margaret Hallock, left, accompanies the Wayne Morse Scholars on a field trip to the state capitol. 

In honor of Margaret Hallock’s retirement in 2015, the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics—with generous support from students, alumni, faculty, staff, community members, former Wayne Morse Chair holders and unions—established the Margaret Hallock Program for Women’s Rights.

Without Margaret Hallock, a woman of vision and action, there would be no Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. Through her tenacity, good judgment and administrative skills, Margaret brought decision-makers, stakeholders, and donors together to make real the dream of a living memorial to Oregon’s independent senator that serves campus, the local community, and the state. And with her wisdom, humor, and compassion, Margaret had an enormous impact in the lives of numerous students, faculty, and others.

The Margaret Hallock Program for Women’s Rights supports issues close to Margaret’s heart. Women will create the future world, but access to education, civil liberties, and economic security remain vital issues for women worldwide today. Each year the Center will host, in consultation with Margaret, a public lecture, film screening, play or exhibit, or contribute to scholarly research that promotes discussion of critical issues that affect women or women’s rights around the world.

About Margaret Hallock
Margaret Hallock retired in 2015 as the founding director of the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics. She formerly directed the UO Labor Education and Research Center (LERC). Hallock is a Ph.D. economist who taught economics and worked for Service Employees International Union 503 where she led the struggle for pay equity for women workers. Hallock served as a policy advisor to Governor Ted Kulongoski for labor, revenue and workforce development. She has contributed to public policy issues in labor, taxes, healthcare and workforce development. Currently she is active on the Board of Directors for Sponsors, a reentry organization, and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon.

Winter 2023 event

Queer Career: Sexuality and Work in Modern America with Margot Canaday, Princeton. February 16, 2023.

Past Events

Building the Future: Policies for a Gender-Equitable Recovery, with C. Nicole Mason, president and chief executive officer of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR). Oct. 19, 2021

A Democracy Worth Fighting For: A Conversation with Erica Smiley, Lisa Hubbard, and Margaret Hallock, April 2021

Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, An evening with New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Land, November 2019 

On the Frontlines of the Gig Economy: Organizing Taxi Workers under Ubernomics, featuing Bhairavi Desai, May 2018

The Future of Public Education, Featuring AFT President Randi Weingarten, April 2017