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St. Cloud State University
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Activist panel amazes students
By Tracy Wegner
Published:
Thursday, February 13, 2003
Media Credit: Stefanie Beniek
Hedy Tripp, a community activist, was one of the panelists that spoke on how to make a difference on a local level.
In this week's Women on Wednesday, "Building Community: Making a Difference in Your Own Backyard," three panelists spoke on the roles women can play in collaborating across cultures and building communities.
Growing up in activist homes, they offered many ways to get involved and stay involved with important issues, even when it might seem difficult. One activist, Hedy Tripp, was very familiar with the type of obstacles an activist could face.
Growing up in Singapore, Tripp said, one lived a dangerous life as an activist. To speak out on any issue they had to do it carefully.
"We would take umbrellas made of Chinese paper and write our protest signs, so that when they were closed, people didn't know what we were doing," Tripp said.
Twenty-four years ago, Tripp came to the United States and has been involved with many nonprofit movements.
Today she is active on the board of the Multicultural Children's Art Connection, the St. Cloud Area Somali Salvation Organization, the St. Cloud Area American Indian Center and the City of St. Cloud Arts Commission.
Tripp encourages people to get involved in things that come from the heart.
"If you see a need, get involved," she said. "It's necessary to speak out when you can or change doesn't happen."
The next speaker on the panel, Semya Hakim, teaches in the Department of Human Relations and Multicultural Education.
Hakim agreed with Tripp, but added students need to be educated about issues they care about. Hakim suggests looking in alternative places for information.
"One place to look is the Alternative Press, it's written by people without a vested interest," Hakim said.
Hakim also encourages not only initiating individual projects, but supporting the people who are already involved in the struggle.
The final in the trio of speakers was Rev. Yolanda Lehman. Lehman is a campus minister to SCSU for the United Ministries in Higher Education.
She came to the St. Cloud community six months ago and organized the Resurrection AME Zion Church.
Lehman used the construction of her church to explain how to bring a community together about an issue. She emphasized the importance of education and networking.
The panel agreed getting involved and helping people is important and the changes that result from activism far outweigh the discouragements along the way.
"As young adults, you have the power to generate new ideas to effect positive change," Lehman said.
Nau Khang, a sophomore, majoring in pre-nursing, enjoyed listening to the three activists sharing their stories.
"I really liked how each woman had an important role, and that women could play so many different roles," Khang said.
Wednesday's presentation was one of many in a long line of the Spring semester's Women on Wednesday series: "Women and Activism: Changing the World Piece by Peace." A goal of these presentations is to install a deeper understanding about the realities, complexities and struggles women face as they continue to strive for equality through activism.
