Major

Political Science, History

Graduation Year

Spring 2027

Testimony

“One of my biggest takeaways from Journey Towards Justice is the importance of courage when combating injustice. On our last day in Montgomery, Alabama my classmates and I had dinner with Doris Crenshaw at the Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute. While at dinner, Mrs. Crenshaw told us of her life-long work as an activist…Her story is one of incredible courage and resilience, and listening to her speak at the Southern Youth Leadership Development Institute was one of the most inspiring parts of our journey to Alabama. Mrs. Crenshaw had me and my classmates ponder what our call to action was after our journey. She asked us the same question that she had been asked by organizers during the Civil Rights Movement: "Why are you here, and what is your assignment?" Following five days of travel through Alabama where we were both inspired by the bravery of those who participated in the Civil Rights Movement and disheartened by the ever present economic segregation in Alabama and the continued oppression of Black Americans through mass incarceration, many of my classmates and I felt uncertain of what we could do to continue the fight for equality. However, Mrs. Crenshaw's story inspired me to remain committed to the expansion and protection of human rights despite the many issues still persisting. While activism can be hard, painful, and even dangerous, Mrs. Crenshaw solidified within each of us that we must remain committed to the protection of human rights when she told us, ‘What are you gonna do? History is visiting you.’"