What’s an ROA Part VIII: Carol

December 17th, 2007 at 3:05 pm

We’re back for our last few ROA profiles, today we have Carol:

It was a dark and stormy night… all was a still except for…yea- Just kidding! My name is Carol John and I’m the ROA for IN, IL, WI and PA. As you can tell I’m a rather silly person but it’s within a decent balance. I am a 2nd year at Drexel University in Philadelphia (GO DRAGONS!) and I have managed to major in International Area Studies with a concentration in Human Rights and Social Justice, focused in Africa and the Middle East, while also minoring in Environmental Health.

I was never really sure what I wanted to do with my life but if I can paraphrase a quote from Hotel Rwanda it sums up what changed – “people see this footage and think, Oh My God that’s horrible and continue eating their dinners.” I knew then and after other experiences like visiting an orphanage in India and working for a food delivery service to those who can’t provide for themselves that I’d like to devote my life to changing others. But, the reason I love ONE so much is that it offers normal every day American citizens the opportunity to eat their dinners but also do something whether by calling a Senator or writing a letter. We don’t just have to just watch – we have the chance to enjoy the blessings of our lives while at the same time affording others the chance to have a better life too. My passion lies in giving voices to people who don’t have it from stigmatized populations of AIDS victims, to trafficked children. And (I hope) it reflects in everything I do.

I’ve actually spent most of my life in cities and originally from Brooklyn, NY I’ve had NYC for my playground. I really love people and their cultures, art from graffiti to Monet. I love watching movies and TV but I also love to read and write. Lastly I’m a little crazy when it comes to what I like in terms of fashion (new and intense!) I really just like trying new things and I simply can’t refuse even meeting new people.

All in all, being a part of ONE has really helped me gauge just how little people know and just how important it is to keep learning. I have a few years left at school and a whole life in front of me in which I really hope to make an impact preferably by experiencing life in Sub-Saharan Africa and areas of the Middle East. I’ve got a lot of big dreams and high aspirations. And I’m learning that my example can make a real difference when it comes to showing other people just how necessary a voice is.