Fairfield University Originally from México City, Alan Pelaez-Lopez has become a national activist in both the migrant and queer justice movements here in the US. By coming to terms with his AfroIndigenous roots, Alan intersects his undocumented status and queer identity to create solidarity through storytelling and the arts. Alan is a community organizer in Boston, but does work in Connecticut, DC and California. In June 2013, Alan was recognized as one of three winners of the National Youth Courage Award—the first time an undocumented individual received recognition—and in August, Alan was named a finalist to the National Young Activist Award, which led to receiving a grant to continue his efforts. Now, Alan is an undergraduate at Fairfield University studying Sociology and Professional Writing and holds a fellowship at Young People For, crafting a social justice blueprint to advocate for incarcerated undocumented and queer individuals.
raeesah reese + linda tenerowicz Loyola Marymount University Raeesah Reese is a senior at Loyola Marymount University (LMU) studying screenwriting and theological studies. She has explored her interests in social justice through storytelling, having worked on projects that examine immigrant rights and the struggles of undocumented youth in the U.S. Her interest in the politics and social justice issues of the Middle East extend to her passion for raising awareness about Palestinian human rights abuses in Israel and the West Bank. After participating in an Alternative Break Trip to Israel and Palestine, she was profoundly changed and inspired to take action surrounding the issue. During the trip, her group not only met with both Palestinian and Jewish Israeli peace activists, but got to further understand their stories of living under occupation. The people she met expressed their continued hope for a resolution despite the failed peace process. Their hope rests with the “people” and so does hers.
colleen smyth Rockhurst University
Linda Tenerowicz is from South San Francisco, CA and is currently pursuing a degree in political science at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). She is greatly interested in human rights advocacy and the non-profit sector. She wishes to learn more about the development and sustainability of non-profit organizations, namely gathering support, mobilizing grassroots activism, and reaching those most in need. In the summer of 2012 Linda attended an immersive trip to Israel and the occupied West Bank and gained firsthand knowledge and experience about the Palestine/Israel conflict, prospects for peace, and the reality on the ground for Israelis and Palestinians. Since then she has co-founded a Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter at LMU and serves as co-president. She hopes that SJP will shed light on the Palestinian narrative and bring greater awareness of the issue to the student body.
student speakers
alan pelaez lopez
Colleen Smyth is a senior at Rockhurst University pursuing a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and a minor in Non-profit Leadership Studies. She serves as President of VOICES for Justice, Rockhurst’s social justice club. Colleen is an Admissions Ambassador and active member of Alpha Sigma Alpha as well as a co-leader of CLC. Colleen is excited to co-emcee the Ignatian Family Teach-In because this event has both opened her eyes to the world around her and transformed her into the person who God is calling her to be.
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