Noah Patterson connects with the adventuresome Danielle Wegman (2005-2006).
Noah: What have you been doing since you interned at the Center for Justice?
Danielle: After interning for the Center for Justice I moved to Chicago to work in Public Policy and Human Rights through an organization called the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America. CRLN mobilizes religious leaders and congregations to advance peace, justice, and human rights in our hemisphere by responding to the call of the marginalized and people at the grassroots in Latin America for more just and peaceful U.S. policies. My particular role as Public Policy Coordinator includes engaging our members in advocacy efforts, developing relationships with the foreign policy staff in Illinois Congressional offices, and visiting communities in Latin America that are most impacted by U.S. military and economic policies.
Noah: When did you work at the Center and what was your role?
Danielle: I worked at the Center from the Fall of ’05 to the Spring of ’06, doing intakes and following up on cases through researching local resources.
Noah: What effect did working on Community Advocacy cases have on you?
Working in community advocacy keeps me hopeful that justice really is possible. What I remember most fondly of the Center for Justice is the way that people often left their intakes empowered and inspired to become their own advocates, knowing that they had the support and encouragement of an organization like the Center behind them. Working with Suellen and learning from her creativity and commitment to justice also helped cultivate a passion in me to continue in advocacy work.
Noah: What are your plans or dreams for the future?
Danielle: After working in environments like those of the Center for Justice and CRLN, I find myself most interested in building creative healing and reconciliation processes in response to violence, trauma, war and conflict. For example, I’m inspired by communities that respond to conflict through nonviolence, the arts and the creation of processes that strengthen community. I hope to invest more time learning about nonviolence, being present in conflict zones and participating in processes that build hopeful alternatives to violence.
Noah: If you could say one thing to a staff member (either collectively or to a specific individual) at the Center, what would that be?
Danielle: To the entire staff, I would say thank you for committing your time and resources to such just causes. While you all have the opportunity to triple your income and fame in big firms, you have instead chosen to invest your energy in some of the world’s most vulnerable people. And a special thanks to Suellen – you are a real inspiration and model of what it means to be a fierce and compassionate advocate.
Noah: Do you have a favorite book? If so, what is it and why?
Danielle: I’d say two – The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling because it’s adventurous and beautifully written. And I have to add Mary Oliver’s New and Collected Poems. Through simple language, these poems speak truth by exploring the relationship between humanity and the earth, the elements and all living things. They remind me of the interconnectedness of all of us.
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