A new ‘Day’ of activism

Shelby O’Connor, an associate scientist in the UW’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, says it’s necessary to take a multi-pronged approach to global pandemics such as H.I.V./AIDS. O’Connor, whose work focuses on finding a vaccine for the disease, says research alone isn’t enough to fight H.I.V./AIDS, since Ugandans require services such as H.I.V. testing, counseling and education about transmission.
“Everyone does something different to help out,” O’Connor says.

The desire to help is shaped, in part, by a young person’s educational experience, says Diana Hess, a professor in the UW Department of Curriculum and Instruction and an advisory member of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, a youth-focused research group at Tufts University. Project 40/40 and other political and civic action campaigns on college campuses often are very successful, Hess says, because of young people’s commitment to activism. As such, the relationship between the college experience and community involvement is significant.”

“People build habits when they’re young,” Hess says. “And one habit we want them to build is how to become both interested in and skillful at working to change things in their community.”

Day with Palestinian refugees at the Gaza Border. Photo provided by Anna Day

Hess also says that the value young adults place on civic activity helps shape their future political and civic involvement. If students view participation as something that makes a difference, as opposed to a way of passing time, they’re more likely to be civically active later in life.

This certainly appears true for Day. Now 22, she has expanded her advocacy interests to include the Middle East. Currently she’s attending graduate school in Israel and writing a book about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “I had the opportunity to go to the Gaza Strip right after a war,” says Day, who studied in Jordan in 2008 and Cairo in 2009. “I saw the devastation, pain and humiliation, but despite all of the hopelessness, the women of Gaza were working in constructive ways towards peace and civil society,” Anna says. “It’s so inspirational, so that’s why I want to write about it.” Molly Day says she feels gratified watching her sister stand up for other women, particularly those who are disempowered and oppressed. “I couldn’t imagine anything defeating this girl,” she says. “She is incredibly determined and committed to her ideals and passions.”

Day has accomplished much already, but she still has big dreams and expectations. Although she’s not sure where she’ll end up, she is certain she wants to change women’s lives.

“I’m waiting for a women’s movement, I’m trying to start a women’s movement,” Day says. “I want to affect women I don’t even know.”

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