Chicago native Gabby Granada is a champion of all things girl power. She’s a sophomore majoring in English, but her interests and passions extend far beyond the classroom. Though she isn’t quite sure where she’ll end up in the future, one thing is clear: this girl has the passion, motivation and inspiration that’ll allow her to make a real change in the world.
Q: What brought you to the University of Minnesota from Chicago?
A: All I knew was: I wanted to go to a Big 10 school and it couldn’t be in cornfields. That narrowed it down quickly.
Q: What are you involved in on campus?
A: I give presentations around campus about consent and sexual assault as a Violence Prevention Educator for the The Aurora Center. I’m an editor for Ivory Tower, the University of Minnesota’s undergraduate art and literary magazine and a writer at The Wake Magazine. I’m also an executive for She’s the First, a student group here on campus that fights and fundraises for the education of girls in developing countries.
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: The agency education enables, the power of film and words and the ongoing fight for women’s rights.
Q: What does “girl power” mean to you?
A: It’s feminism; it’s education; it’s lifting other strong women around you upward.
Q: Who is your role model?
A: All the immeasurably strong women in my life—and Carrie Fisher.
Q: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once and awhile, you could miss it.” –Ferris Bueller, a fictional character that I often forget is fictional.
Just for fun
Q: Favorite movie?
A: 10 Things I Hate About You
Q: Favorite restaurant in Minneapolis?
A: Birchwood Café. I was impossibly undecided when it came to choosing a college. After touring the U, we ate at Birchwood, and let’s just say…the decision was suddenly very, very easy.
Q: Dream job?
A: Internally: AHHHHHHHHHH
Externally: Writing about things that matter, being a film critic and/or empowering women and girls in whatever form that may take. (My real dream job: Professional Cheese Taster).
Q: Favorite song?
A: “Noble Heart” by Phox
Q: Something you love about yourself?
A: My drive.