Mariam Yaldram

Spring 2016

Civic and Community Engagement

Social Activism
In March 2015, Student Life hosted a Self-Defense Program for Women in
which I participated. This illustrates as a social activism for me because as a
women and student, I was given the opportunity to learn about educational
awareness on crime-victim prevention, strategies, techniques, options and
prevention for teenage and adult women with information that may reduce their
risk of exposure to violence and physical aspect of self-defense. Furthermore, I
participated in the Domestic Violence Awareness Month by completing Title IX
survey on Sexual Violence and Sexual Misconduct as well as the online training
called Save Haven to learn about Sexual Assault.
In addition, I was given the opportunity to attend an event on Sexual Trauma
Awareness at the Social Services of Montgomery County, where they included
professional guest speakers such as police officers and county therapist to speak
about their works in sexual trauma. All these workshops about sexual violence
were very important to me because it was an important cause that I strongly
believed in and advocated for. As someone who has a disability and know what
trauma victims go through, I wanted to bring awareness about a topic that is still
left hidden and difficult to discuss.
Another artifact that I have chosen as my involvement with social activism
are advocating for how #MCWORKS4ME, talking and meeting with Montgomery
County Council members in person for continual support of MC and participating
in the Town Hall Meetings with the College President and attending the Board of
Trustee Lunch. All of my involvements with advocating and supporting MC
illustrate my strong support for Montgomery College because MC has open doors
for me in obtaining a degree through affordability. As a first generation immigrant,
Montgomery College has led me to grow as a person and be an active citizen in my
community.

Mariam Yaldram

Spring 2016

Other involvement of a social activism aspect that I have been involved in is

my passion for attending events that educate and promote multicultural topics. For
example, the Renaissance Scholars Event hosts the Athenaeum Symposia, where
various guest speakers discuss globalized discipline topics. For instance, I was able
to meet with Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. I also had the
pleasure of attending a concert by a band called, Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet
and learn about the history of Cajun music.
I also attended workshops called the, Jefferson Caf at Germantown and
learn about American Politics and American History. This allowed me to engage in
political discussions at the college. Furthermore, I was involved in planning the
Mindmeld project porotype to bring awareness on multi-disciplinary topics on
current events and history. I also currently participated in the Day of Silence for the
LGBTQ Community and support the FREE2B Club at MC. My immense support
for MC has helped me realize my passion for social activism as I was given many
opportunities through conferences, special events and my experience through the
Study Abroad program.