Name: Haddiyyah Ali
Hometown: Bloomfield, CT
Major: Political Science and African American Studies (Pre-law track)
Graduation Year: 2018
Age: 20
Q: Stephanie Goebel nominated you as an involved woman on campus that inspires her. Tell us what you are involved in.
HA: I have been involved with the Undergraduate Student Government in different capacities since my freshman year: I was the African American Cultural Center ex officio as well as sat on the judiciary committee in the spring of 2015. I was a commuter senator from fall 2015-spring 2016, chaired the judiciary committee in the spring of 2016, and served as chair of judiciary for fall 2016-2017. I am also a contributor to The Daily Campus opinion section. I am the student representative for the Universities’ Diversity Council and I help plan programs with the Women’s Center. I am a founding member of the social justice cohort We, The Organizers. I also speak at events when requested, and recently spoke at the Rally to resisTRUMP.
Q: You are involved with a large range of organizations. What is your main priority and goal?
HA: The central theme in the work that I do is give voice. It is important to me that I use the positions and organizations I am involved with in the UConn Community to center the experiences of those who need these platforms the most. For example, when I joined Student Government, I was the only black person and black woman in senate. As the representative for the African American Cultural Center, I was tasked with bridging the gap between the AACC and USG and bring the issues of underrepresented students into the light through legislation and committee work. We, The Organizers, in particular, is a project that is dear to my heart because of the work we have accomplished with elevating the student voice and bringing folks from across campus together. We have found ways to bring USG and on-campus organizing together, such as when we worked to have Bill Cosby’s degree revoked or passed legislation to encourage the UConn Foundation to divest from private prisons. In every space that I exist, I attempt to be an agent for change and run on a theme of kindness.
Q: What is the most enjoyable part of being involved for you?
HA: The most enjoyable part of being involved is the range of issues I can work on and people I can connect with. For example, when I wrote a piece about Bill Cosby for The Daily Campus, I was contacted by one of his victims. This led me to work with my fellow senate members to get his honorary degree revoked by the Board of Trustees. I addressed this issue from a variety of lenses: as a black woman, a survivor, a staff member of the Women’s Center, a writer, a senator, and ultimately a Husky. I am empowered by the organizations I am a member of and the work that they allow me to do. People don’t see the behind the scenes work: the detailed writing of legislation or the meetings where it feels like nothing gets done. But when the work ultimately pays off and the goals are achieved, that resonates most with me after the interviews and the excitement have passed.
Q: While working to achieve these goals, when do you find time for yourself? What do you do to de-stress? How do you maintain the student-work balance?
HA: I have planners! Emphasis on the plural because one is just not enough. I’m attempting to find the joy in saying “no” but it’s a work in (very slow) progress. I’m a huge advocate for self-care even if I’m not always the best at practicing it, and I’ve recently purchased a new journal. The biggest de-stresser for me is family time. I’m the sixth of seven children, and I have seven nephews and a niece. There’s nothing better than having the kids over for a weekend because they help ground me and remind me of what’s truly important: Pixar and good snacks.
Q: You’ve discussed the importance of working and connecting with others. Who inspires you?
HA: There are so many people, but truly it all boils down to women of color. Black girls ROCK at UConn. As former treasurer of the UConn chapter for the National Council of Negro Women, I got to witness some of that magic first hand when we hosted a Black Girls Rock Dinner. We had an awards ceremony to recognize women of color who are trailblazers academically and socially across campus. When I think about love, faith, resilience, and other values that I seek to center in my life, I think about the amazing women of color who I have come across in the many pockets of campus that we do work in and the strength and magic they exude. One of my biggest inspirations is my older sister, Yasmine, who graduated from UConn in 2015 and is now a graduate student at NYU Wagner. Yasmine is the kindest, most generous person I know and my absolute best friend. She graduated from UConn with two majors in just three years, did phenomenal work to address Veteran’s homelessness and other chronic homelessness in CT, and now works to end Islamophobia in NYC. She is fearless, fierce, and modest to boot. I know I can always call on her for advice and look to her for inspiration.
Q: What advice do you have for someone looking to get more involved on campus?
HA: The biggest advice I can give to someone is to practice self-care above all. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Self-love is revolutionary and essential. Also, when you are making decisions about what to be involved with, remember that it is just that- a decision. No one should make you feel obligated to take on any project or more than you can. It is important to practice saying no. It will allow you to benefit from having the time and energy to pour into the projects you really feel passionate about. Lastly, have fun! This is college: make the most of it and build your skillset for the real world. Don’t forget to take time for the people in your life who bring you joy, it’s something everyone needs.
Q: You have nominated Kayla Edwards as the next involved woman on campus. Why have you chosen Edwards?
HA: Kayla is someone I have looked up to since my first year, and she does incredible work all over campus. She embodies the grace, eloquence, and vulnerability of a true sister-friend. Kayla is always there to empower others and stand up for what she believes in. She is amazing: her story and voice are equally amazing and unique.
Photos courtesy of Haddiyyah Ali