草莓社区

When 草莓社区 (EMU) graduate Isabel Castillo was recognized as a 鈥淢ovement Honoree鈥� by Sojourners at its June 2017 at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., she called on advocates to raise up voices like her own 鈥� one that is typically marginalized.

Castillo, who was brought into the United States from Mexico when she was six, has spoken publicly about her own undocumented status since she was a student at Turner Ashby High School. Her advocacy for immigration-law reform has been nationally recognized.

Castillo graduated with a from EMU in 2007, and in 2017, earned a from EMU鈥檚 .

More than 300 鈥渓eaders committed to changing the world through faith and justice鈥� attended the Summit organized annually since 2014 by Sojourners. A leading voice of progressive Christianity, Sojourners promotes 鈥渢he biblical call to social justice鈥� through its magazine and digital forum.

Adam Taylor, chair of the Sojourners Board of Directors, presented Castillo with one of four awards granted for 鈥渆xceptional efforts鈥� that 鈥渉elp to sustain our collective desire for a more equitable and peaceful world,鈥� notably organizing a march on Washington and staging a sit-in at former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid鈥檚 office. Since 2013, she has worked for .

In her acceptance speech, Castillo said that 鈥淛esus hung out with the 鈥榤arginalized,鈥� the 鈥榣east of these.鈥� He heard directly from them. And it seems like few decision makers hear the truth directly from those who are directly impacted by the many injustices we face in our nation, in our world.鈥�

Advocates, she said, should 鈥渂e space-holders, walk alongside or behind those directly impacted by the many systems of oppression and allow them to share their stories and their truth.鈥�

Castillo has addressed oppression by sharing her own story. Her with then-governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell was detailed in a article. She has also been featured in and on Public Radio International鈥檚 .

In 2011, the University of San Francisco 鈥渇or her selfless courage in advancing the cause of undocumented college students.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檝e followed and admired Isabel鈥檚 witness and work since she confronted Governor McDonnell on his opposition to the DREAM Act several years ago,鈥� said Michael Mershon, director of communications for Sojourners. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a level of strength and courage in what she brings to the movement for social justice that鈥檚 impossible to ignore.鈥�

EMU and Sojourners enjoy substantial connection with each other, he added.

鈥淲e also have staff who are alums of EMU and we have a long and strong relationship with the university and the broader Mennonite community,鈥� Mershon said, 鈥渟o we always welcome the opportunity to lift up the stories of people shaped by that experience. Technically, we honored Isabel at our Summit, but in truth the honor was all ours.鈥�

Also recognized at the Summit were four 鈥淔eatured Elders鈥� and three additional Movement Honorees:

• Dr. Wallace Charles Smith, senior minister of the historic , one of the oldest African American churches in Washington D.C.;
• Ruby Nell Sales, founder and executive director of the ;
• Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of ;
• Dr. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson, 17-year general secretary emeritus of the and former Sojourners associate editor;
• Linda Sarsour, co-founder of and co-chair of the 2017 ;
• Jenny Yang, overseer for advocacy initiatives and policy positions at , co-author of Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion and Truth in the Immigration Debate, and one of the 鈥溾�� by Christianity Today;
• Edward M. Jones, director of programs at and member of the executive committee.