Schools

Connecticut College Announces MLK Awards

Two faculty members and one student recognized for work that continues the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

has named the recipients of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Service Awards.

This year, the awards went to Kiesha Henry, of Groton; Jazmin Long, of Bridgeport; and Mab Segrest, of New London.

The awards are given each year to “those who exemplify and uphold the legacy of Dr. King's work.” The college presented the awards in a Friday ceremony.

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Henry, a staff assistant for the college’s Office of Volunteers for Community Service as well as the Holleran Center for Community Action and Public Policy, is a minister with the New Life Church in Ledyard. She is also on the board of directors for ; mentors with Community of Hope, a homeless shelter for women who are in recovery or have been recently released from prison; and is the volunteer director of TZEDAKA, a faith-based non-profit coordinating with other organizations in New London “to eliminate health, educational and economic disparities.”

"Ms. Henry is ready to extend a helping hand to anyone and everyone who needs it," said a former student who wrote a nomination letter for Henry. "She never hesitates to remind students to never give up on their hopes and dreams."

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Long, a senior, is part of the Student Government Association, co-chair of Students Organized Against Racism, and a member of UMOJA, which raises awareness of the African Diaspora through social, political, and academic success. Long has also volunteered at the , , , and the United Way. She studied abroad in Durban, South Africa, with a program focusing on community health and social policy.

"Whether it is providing direct service, advocating, studying, researching or leading student groups, Jazmin connects with diversity, social justice and equity issues," said Tracee Reiser, associate dean for community learning and director of the Office of Volunteers for Community Service, who nominated Long for the award. "She has relentlessly pursued knowledge and skill development to better understand systems of power and oppression and how to challenge them to bring about a more just society."

Segrest is the Fuller-Maathai professor of gender and women's studies at the college. She has been involved with a variety of social organizations and authored several books on sexuality and social movements, including Born to Belonging: Writing on Spirit and Justice, Memoir of a Race Traitor, and My Mama's Dead Squirrel: Lesbian Essays on Southern Culture.

"For her entire life, Professor Segrest has fought for justice and stood her ground as an intellectual, committed voice for issues of justice across racial, gender, economic and sexual lines," said Rev. Claudia Highbaugh, dean of religious and spiritual life.


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