Annabel Fowler ‘12 and Natalie Raps ‘12 have made Cornell history, as one anonymous HC reader told us in a letter. For the first time, the president-elects of both Student Assembly and the Cornell senior class are women. Not to sound too prophetic, but we’re confident in saying that this seems like a sign of great things to come for female equality at Cornell and potentially in the national political climate. A strong proponent of opportunity for women on campus, Annabel brings a passion and dedication to the advancement of social justice on campus–but this is just one small aspect of her contribution to this writer’s 2012 class and the Cornell community.
This past weekend, Annabel was publicly recognized as one of 18 Cornell women – including faculty, administration, and students – for Outstanding Work to Advance Women in honor of the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day. But like Natalie Raps, her close friend and fellow representative on the student political scene, Annabel had no prior experience.
“Before coming to Cornell, I had never been involved with student government,” says the junior government major, who hails from Texas. “In high school I played competitive tennis and spent most of my time balancing academics and traveling to tournaments…Had anyone told me I would be Class President [at Cornell] for four years when I was in high school, I would not have believed them.”
But during her freshman year, Annabel made an impulsive decision which would shape her future at Cornell. “It was not until the day before the election packets were due that I decided to run for class president,” she says.
Though she was nervous about running for a new leadership position with such limited related experience, Annabel knew that Class Council would be her best avenue for instituting change across Cornell.
“Class Council was where I would have the greatest opportunity to work with other students to improve their personal experience at Cornell and [promote] unity across the student body,” Annabel says. “So I just went for it 100% and never looked back.”
Aside from the fact that Annabel has served as president of the Class of 2012 for the past three years and is the first Cornellian to be elected each year and then run unopposed for the position senior year, her legacy encompasses more than just 2012 class events in C-town (which have never before been held prior to senior year), class apparel lines exclusively designed for 2012 (also an initiative of Annabel’s administration), and free giveaways. She has led new member recruitment to expand the class council from 11 to 47 members. She holds weekly office hours. She has headed the first council to host annual forums to root out unvoiced peer concerns. (And one of my my favorite accomplishments of the 2012 Class Council– we may have a Class of 2012 CTB sandwich on the menu later this spring!)
But no matter how busy she is as president, Annabel always has time for her other duties on campus. In May of 2009, she founded the Ivy Education Campaign, which she describes as “a grassroots service project that has burgeoned into a national service campaign.” This has been the first successful union of the Ivies on a service campaign since the inception of the Ivy League and their combined contributions have opened doors for children’s education in 15 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mali, Nepal, Bolivia, Egypt, El Salvador, and Haiti. The Ivy Education Campaign has “allowed 112 girls to attend school, provided 915 picture books for children in the war-torn regions of Afghanistan, 146 pre-positioned student kits (which include backpacks, pencils, water bottles, and lunch kits, among other necessities), provided aid to the victims of the 2010 July Pakistani flood including Child Friendly Space Kits, Emergency Shelter Kits, and Emergency Baby Care Kits,” according to the Class of 2012 website. The campaign, which has raised over $10,000 and is always working to engage more students in their efforts, will be recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative at the University Meeting in San Diego this April.
Within our own community, Annabel was appointed by the Mayor of Ithaca to serve on the Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Board until December 2011 for her efforts to provide Cornellians with service opportunities in Ithaca and unite the class of 2012 in particular through volunteering at the Ithaca Youth Bureau as their first Class Service program.
“Outside of class council,” says Annabel, “I serve as the chair of a foreign affairs society that brought Ambassador Richard Burt to speak on campus this past fall, I serve on the SA Ad Hoc Late Night Programming Committee that is currently working to bring a Campus Pub back, and I am also currently working to reinstate a Clinton Global Initiative chapter at Cornell in order to give more students the opportunity to help them turn their humanitarian goals and initiatives into reality.
“I don’t believe power describes me or my role on campus,” she continues. “In the grand scheme of things, titles & ‘power’ mean nothing. It’s what you do [with that power] that truly matters. At Cornell, I am driven by my passion to work with other students, to be there for them as a friend and as their advocate to improve their experience as a student. I like to see the glass half full and at the end of the day I work my hardest even if it is just to help one person.”
Neither Natalie nor Annabel had the background to jump into Big Red politics, but they were willing to take a chance. As strong, driven and capable women, they have been able to accomplish more than anyone could have expected from when they were just two freshmen class representatives. The learning curve has been sharp for both women who have remarkably taken these experiences with them to continue to do amazing things both on campus and off.
As Annabel says, “I’m happiest when I know I have inspired other individuals. I think that in inspiring others you can empower the whole.”
Just the Facts:
Activities, in brief:
Class president 3 years and senior class president-elect, Ivy Education Campaign Founder, Ithaca Youth Bureau Advisory Board Member Elect, CN Foreign Affairs Society Chair, SA Ad Hoc Late Night Programming Committee, Acting/Modeling with the Neil Hamil Agency
What have you accomplished as President over the past few years?
Everything that has been done would not have been possible had it not been for our phenomenal Class Council Board and advisers. It’s truly a team effort. Our goals have been the requests voiced by many of you.
From the beginning our own goal was to be a forum for change. We wanted to work to eradicate the stigma that “all class councils did was plan events.” At Cornell it’s easy to feel lost, so from the start we made it a priority to reach out to 2012-ers and try our best to voice their concerns.
On the programming side, we moved in a direction toward planning higher impact events and events where we worked with other groups on campus to reach out to all parts of our class. In doing so we also tried to co-sponsored events with all Class Councils to further unite the student body. In doing so everyone has worked extremely hard to keep our class engaged, united, and most importantly worked to unify the Cornell community.
How do you think women are treated on campus?
This past weekend I attended a commemorative reception that was organized by Cornell Women’s Resource Center and ALANA in honor of the 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day. Within the Cornell community we find students and faculty alike who are dedicated to strengthening women’s role in our own community, something that was illuminated at this event. On campus there are countless opportunities for women. The countless men and women here who work hard to further women’s role on campus provide a support system. Their efforts are a testament to the core values and respect for women upheld by our institution.
What has been your proudest moment to date?
Reading my little brother’s college tennis bio for the first time and seeing that the person he said he admired most was his sister.
Proudest accomplishment?
Being selected to represent the junior class and Cornell community at the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. earlier this year.
How are you feeling about Natalie as SA president?
The first time we met was freshman year in Libe Cafe before both of us were involved in any organization. Natalie is an amazing person and has been committed to serving Cornell since Day One. I could not be more proud to see her in this position and know she will do a great job as SA President.
Can we get a preview of what you plan to work on over the next year?
As seniors, it’s about coming together, leaving our legacy and creating events that leave our class with lifelong memories. 2012 deserves nothing but the best. It’s going to take a lot of teamwork but we have great leadership on all ends. We’re going to continue building on the unity and ties that we have already made.
We’re going to continue our national and local philanthropy initiatives. On a programming front, we’re looking to make senior year a mix of senior-exclusive events, such as our Zinck’s Nights, to working with the other classes to provide events that appeal to the student body. Some ideas we have are establishing a Career Panel with Alumni, hosting a concert on the Arts Quad or co-sponsoring a notable speaker. In doing so, we plan to increase our co-sponsorships with other groups on campus as we have with events such as the Cornell Caring Community.
At the Cornell Alumni Leadership Conference in DC I had the opportunity to see first-hand our amazing network of alumni. I felt so proud to be a Cornellian and would like to try to ensure that each of my peers graduates with the same sense of Cornell Pride.
Career/future plans:
I love working with people and I am passionate about making a difference in the world; this is what drives me every day. Upon graduation, I hope to pursue a JD and MBA. After this, the future is an open question.
If a genie lamp showed up on your doorstep and you got one wish, what would it be?
That every child around the world have access to education. I truly believe that if we want peace, prosperity, and a more “sustainable” culture… education is where it starts.
Who is your biggest female hero/role model?
Above all, my mother is my guidepost for absolutely everything and built the foundation for all I stand for today. She is my ultimate inspiration. As early as I can remember, she provided unwavering support, told me that I could do anything I set my heart and mind to and to never stop believing in myself.
Favorite quote?
It always seems impossible until it’s done. – Nelson Mandela