Congratulations to Amanda Hart-Dowhun (2L), who received the Michael Phair Leadership Award-the first lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, or queer specific award in the history of the University of Alberta.
What does receiving this award mean to you?
I'm very flattered to see that my volunteer work has acknowledged. The award is especially important to me because I take a lot of pride in the work that I do in the LGBTQ community. I volunteer for various groups around Edmonton, but my work with the LGBTQ community is the area that I've put the most effort into. To be recognized in this way hopefully means that my actions are making a difference or having an impact on someone's life, and I think that's a wonderful thing.
You're president of OUTlaw-which just wrapped up its second year as a student club-and have also served as Treasurer and Vice-President. Why did you initially become involved with the organization?
I had been involved with the queer community for a few years before I came to law school and I wanted to continue my involvement in the LGBTQ (an acronym referring collectively to lesbian, gay, bisexual/pansexual, transgender and queer people) area. I found the Faculty of Law to have a really welcoming student environment, but there wasn't really any support specifically for queer students. OUTlaw has definitely helped to bridge that gap and fills an important niche in the law school.
You're host and researcher for Gaywire on CJSR, Edmonton's only LGBTQ radio show. Why do you think it's important for the city to have such show?
It's really a radio show that helps to bring the LGBTQ community together, while providing support for those who need it. This support is important because queer people, especially transgendered people, are one of the most marginalized groups of people in Canada.
I've been really lucky to have a good friend base and an accepting family, but a lot of people aren't that fortunate. For those who are still closeted, it's nice to have the sense of community that Gaywire creates.
What do you want to accomplish with your various community involvement/leadership activities?
For me it's about identifying problems, one by one, that are currently in our society, whether it be locally, provincially, or nationally, and trying to fix the issues and eliminate the problems the best way that I can. When I see an issue I want to do what I can to change things for the better.
How do you manage to balance school, community involvement, work and your personal life?
With some difficulty-sometimes you don't sleep as much as you'd like! I was always very busy as a child with sports, work and academics so I've been able to develop some really good time management skills over the years.
Is giving back to the community a concept that you were exposed to growing up?
Yes, when I was growing up both of my parents were involved with volunteer work. Giving back to the community is definitely something that I've always seen as normal; it's just something that you do.
You have just finished up your second year of studies-do you have any plans for when you graduate?
I hope to article with the government or a small firm. I really enjoy human rights law, discrimination law and criminal law, and eventually I'd like to use my law degree in a social justice area of practice. That was actually part of my reason for wanting to get into the legal field in the first place.
The Michael Phair Leadership Award is the first lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, or queer specific award in the history of the University of Alberta. Selection is based on demonstrated leadership qualities and involvement in extracurricular and community activities. Preference is given to undergraduate students who have demonstrated commitment to the advancement of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, or queer communities.
Amanda Hart-Dowhun