20 Ways Messiah College is making the world a better place (continued)

13. Stopping violence against women

Monique Beadle '04

Monique Beadle ’04, sociology

Refugee project director, Human Rights USA, Washington, D.C.

“I entered Messiah with several goals: serve God, go to law school, make strides for women, and look out for the oppressed,” recalls Monique Beadle. “My professors and mentors at Messiah made it clear that I could do all four at the same time,” and Beadle has made it clear that they were right.

Beadle received a law degree this May and continues the work she undertook in law school: providing legal counsel to women seeking asylum in the United States to escape severe gender-based violence, which includes genital mutilation, honor killing, and rape. For each woman she represents, Beadle “hopes to establish favorable judicial precedent  that will benefit hundreds of other women in similar circumstances.”

Beadle says, “To me, the concept of individual human rights derives directly from Scripture. The Law and the Prophets make clear that every human is a little image of God. . . and that any violence committed against a little image is an injustice perpetrated against God personally.”

14.  College’s leadership takes strides toward racial justice and reconciliation

Kim Phipps, President, Messiah College

Steering Committee member, Greater Harrisburg YWCA Race Against Racism, City Island

Messiah College was well represented at this year’s Greater Harrisburg Race Against Racism on April 28. Kim Phipps, along with a team of Messiah administrators and employees, competed in the 5-kilometer race, and Messiah’s gospel choir, United Voices of Praise, performed. The purpose of this annual event is “to focus our community’s attention on the need for justice and equality in our own neighborhoods and workplaces,” says Phipps, who also serves as a board member for the YWCA, where racial justice is a primary focus.

15.  Soccer team mobilizes resources to fight AIDS

Dan Wagner ’95, social studies, secondary education

Men’s soccer coach, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania

 When Dan Wagner heard U2’s lead singer Bono speak about the devastation of HIV/AIDS and poverty in Africa, he was moved to action. “I decided I needed to use whatever resources I had to help,” he recalls. Wagner is now steeped in plans to take his Franklin & Marshall College soccer team next year to Johannesburg, South Africa, where they will play against professional soccer teams by night, help conduct HIV/AIDS-awareness soccer clinics for youth by day, and donate soccer balls and uniforms for young people.

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