The Human Rights Program and the Creative Writing Program proudly announced Kate Johnston as the 2012 Scribe for Human Rights. Kate was an MFA candidate with a focus in nonfiction. Summe 2011r, she studied solitary confinement in the United States. Kate's study culminates a long-form journalism project that details the increased use of the practice in the past three decades. Kate described her interest in writing for human rights: "My desire to write, and to write nonfiction in particular, has grown alongside my own experience working for human rights. I remember one of the first times I considered pursuing an MFA I was frantically calling New York City newspaper reporters, reminding them to come out for a press conference I had organized along with section·8 HUD tenants who were about to face huge rent increases if their landlord pulled out of its government contract. I was dismayed by how few journalists seemed interested in the issues that affect so many low-income people, and I realized how important it is that a writer be on hand to articulate a situation in order for social change to occur. Slowly, I came to the conclusion that the best contribution I can make to human rights in this country could be as a writer."
Congratulations!
Elissa and Bruce Peterson, Founding Members