The fascinating life of Helen Suzman, the iconic South African leader who devoted her life to the fight against apartheid, is the focus of a graphic panel exhibition at the McGladery Art Gallery in the library at Bentley University, January 22 to February 22, 175 Forest Street in Waltham, Mass.

Suzman was a member of the South African Parliament for 36 years, from 1953-1989.  She was the sole opposition voice condemning apartheid during the 13-year period (1961-1974) when she was the governing body’s only member of the Progressive Party. She tackled unpopular issues: inspecting the living conditions of political prisoners; opposing capital punishment; arguing against the banning of the Communist Party; and challenging gender discrimination, especially against black women.  The exhibition explores nearly four decades of Suzman’s life and vision through photographs, personal letters, quotations from speeches and news articles.

After retiring from Parliament in 1989, Suzman remained active in South African politics. She served as the president of the South African Institute of Race Relations; served on the Independent Electoral Commission that oversaw the first democratic elections in 1994; and was a member of the statutory Human Rights Commission. Suzman was at Mandela’s side when he signed the new constitution in 1996. Her struggle against apartheid won her the United Nations Human Rights Award in 1978 and the Medallion of Heroism in 1980. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize twice.

Suzman’s autobiography, In No Uncertain Terms: A South African Memoir, inspired her country and the world to recognize the injustices of the South African government. She also established the Helen Suzman Foundation to promote liberal democracy in South Africa.

The art exhibit is sponsored by The Office of the President; The Office of the Provost; and the Arts and Lectures Program.

For more information on the Arts at Bentley, please visit www.tinyurl.com/artsatbentley.