DELONTE HARROD
APRIL 2015
IN FERGUSON, MISSOURI Caitlin Fair ’06 joined protestors for racial equality and justice.
HANDS UP: NJCU was an organized teach-in in Trenton New Jersey Schools to allow community members to gather to discuss civic engagement.
Caitlin credits a number of teachers—in the literal and philosophical sense—with her growth as a leader and a community activist. It took her a long time to find her footing in this kind of work, she says, and she feels that young people in the United States are at a disadvantage because the history often taught in schools can be incomplete. She feels lucky to have had mentors like Nate McKee ’79 at George School who helped open her eyes. “Nate positioned himself as a surrogate father to me and always encouraged me to use my voice in positive ways,” she said. “He helped me to understand that fighting injustice was everyone’s work, and that the responsibility wasn’t limited to those who it most directly affected.” Caitlin’s parents also have had a tremendous influence on Caitlin. “They are both service and justice oriented individuals and they have always pushed both me and my brother to use our talents and energies to make positive and thoughtful change.” Recently, Caitlin has found herself surrounded by teachers who don’t teach their lessons in a classroom. “I have been blessed to become connected to some amazing people doing this work in Trenton including Lukata Mjumbe who I consider to be one of my greatest teachers,” said Caitlin. “Part of this work is making sure that you surround yourself with individuals who will continue to push you toward growth and development. I have learned such a tremendous amount from him in such a short time.”
6 | GE O RGIAN
Caitlin’s work has not been without trial. She has faced physical and verbal attacks. “Criticism is one thing that you will never escape in this work. Everyone has an idea about what should be done, where, when, and how, and anytime you place yourself at the helm of something you leave yourself open to receiving it. “I am working on developing a thicker skin—it is necessary in order to prevent becoming paralyzed or disengaged due to the negativity you encounter.” Despite the challenges Caitlin continues her work and considers her heart to be her greatest strength as a leader. “I always say that the greatest gift God gave me was a limitless capacity for loving and I try to orient everything I do from a place of genuine love,” she said. “This doesn’t mean I don’t challenge or give constructive criticism, but I am very careful and intentional about the way I approach difficult interactions. I truly believe that only through love can real change be accomplished.” In another part of the world, Hanna Lee ’15 was also inspired to make a difference. In January 2014 she visited a shelter in Seoul Korea that was a home for elderly women who were forced by the Japanese military to become “comfort women,” or sex slaves during World War II. “My friends and I went to this shelter house called House of Sharing where ten comfort women lived and while we were there we visited the museum and saw what had happened to these women,” said Hanna. “Just seeing all the videos and