Folk music lovers can see Canadian-born singer Heather Bishop at noon at the King Memorial Commons today.

The CAB Coffeehouse event also will include a second show at 7 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center’s Diversions Lounge.

CAB Coffeehouse Coordinator Dorian Burks said Bishop is a well-known artist.

“I saw her Web site and I saw that she had fan clubs posted as well, so she’s a pretty popular artist,” Burks said.

Junior finance major Carah Kahle said she likes folk music’s eclectic blend of bluegrass and rock.

“I’ve never heard of Heather Bishop, but I do enjoy folk music,” Kahle said. “I have a band that plays that type of music.”

Bishop is a political and social activist. She has worked with others to help save the environment, fought in the struggle to end racism and took a stand for women and homosexual rights.

In the ’60s, Bishop was one of the first women to establish an independent feminist movement, according to www.heatherbishop.com. In the early ’70s, she volunteered to go on strike with the United Pressman’s Union and addressed the issues of Canadian workers. Even though this did not affect the pay of women in the workplace at the time, the equal pay for equal work legislation was passed a few years later.

Prior to this, Bishop was a driving force behind a clause to ban discrimination on sexual orientation on the grounds of race, gender, ethnic origin and religious affiliation.

In 1975, Bishop was a founding member of the first lesbian organization in Manitoba.

In addition to her humanitarian achievements, Bishop is well-known for her musical talent, which spans three decades. In 1976, she formed her own recording company, Mother of Pearls Inc. She has 12 albums under her belt.

Bishop is an accomplished performer and a headliner for the Canadian Folk Festivals and children’s events. She was the first Canadian lesbian artist to perform at the Canadian festivals, which also helped break barriers for homosexuals in the music industry, according to the Web site.

She has performed with almost every major orchestra in Canada as well as a few in the U.S. She also is a regular guest at two of the largest women’s festivals in the country.

Bishop has been awarded with the prestigious YWCA Woman of the Year Distinction Award, and the Spirit of Smith Street Award for outstanding community service to homosexuality.

Bishop believes that music is “one of the most effective tools for change,” and has dedicated her life as a human rights activist, according to the Web site.

Freshman business major John Hammond said that he enjoys folk music and that NIU students shouldn’t be biased about her sexuality.

“I enjoy other folk artists like James Taylor,” he said. “I don’t think that people should judge her music just because of her sexual preference.”