The Johnsonian

Issue date: 11/29/06 Section: Profiles

While some college students have a dream job they want to pursue after graduation, few alumni actually find the job and land it just months after walking across the stage at Winthrop Coliseum.

However, for '06 English graduate, Kristina Van-Vida, her dream of working for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) came true after landing an internship in Washington, D.C.

Yet, Van-Vida didn't wait for the opportunity to come to her. Instead of trying to get her foot in the door with any internship, Van-Vida came across the opportunity while searching the HRC Web site simply because she has known for years that she has always wanted to make a difference with HRC.

"The Human Rights Campaign works for equal rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community with the goal that the community will have full equality in every aspect of life someday," Van-Vida said. "HRC works on this goal through many projects, like National Coming Out Day, the workplace project and the religion and faith project."

Van-Vida's job with the HRC involves helping to coordinate meetings with HRC's board of directors and board of governors. She also must ensure things are organized and supports her boss by aiding in board relations.

While working for the HRC, Van-Vida also attended the national dinner held at the Washington Convention Center. This event held every year brings in many guest speakers and celebrities. This year, the organization honored several people in the community, including Billie Jean King, Frank Kameny and Lance Bass.

"I have to say that out of all the speeches Billie Jean's was the most moving," Van-Vida said. "In her speech, she told the young guests in the room that we were the foundation for tomorrow and to take a moment to decide what our fight was going to be, what would establish our character and would leave our mark on the world. It was definitely one of my 'oh wow' moments."

Although Van-Vida was able to attend national dinners, travel to new states and take part in HRC meetings, she said the real reason she chose to move to Washington for an internship was the feeling that she was helping to make a difference in a cause she felt passion about.

"It's important to me because, as a lesbian, it allows me to feel like I'm making a difference for my community. It gives me a sense of power in a society that doesn't recognize or give me the benefits I should have," Van-Vida said. "I have so much respect for the people at HRC. Everyday, they work towards the cause. It's not always glamorous but they never seem to lose sight that it's for equality."

While at Winthrop, Van-Vida was an active member of the organization GLoBAL since 2002 and a co-founder and the student chair of Safe Zones, which aims to train faculty, staff, residence life and campus police with the handling of situations dealing with alternative lifestyles.

"I want the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community at Winthrop and their allies to know that HRC is fighting everyday for LGBT rights and that efforts such as safe zones and GLoBAL can and do make a difference for our community," Van-Vida said. "This experience has really inspired me. I have so much respect for everyone at HRC. It's truly been life changing."

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