Being a changemaker doesn’t always mean “grandiose projects.”
Autumn Rose Miskweminanocsqua (Raspberry Star Woman) Williams, a one-time Miss Teen Shinnecock and Miss Native American, spoke about youth advancing social justice and being changemakers during Emporia State University’s annual Bonner and Bonner Diversity Lecture on Thursday. In the age of COVID-19, Williams says a simple way to be a changemaker is to recognize the presence and contributions of other people.
Williams says she “grew up in a social justice family,” with a grandfather serving as president for the NAACP chapter in eastern Long Island, New York to improve worker rights for African Americans, Latino Americans and Native Americans. Williams also attended burial ground protests as a youngster.
Williams says she is proud of being Shinnecock and African American, as well as the journey she took to find herself. She says the more people take time to connect with who they are, the easier it is to recognize, respect and love others around them.
The Bonner and Bonner lecture series was developed in 1992 by Emporia State’s first and second African American faculty members, Doctors Thomas and Mary Bonner.
