Well On Her Way
Shabnam Mirsaeedi, a 2005 graduate of Alma’s political science department and Barlow Trophy winner, had a global perspective while she was a student at Alma.
Shabnam Mirsaeedi holds the Barlow Trophy she earned.
Mirsaeedi was the 2004-05 Student Congress President, a four-year member of Model United Nations, and president both of Alma College’s Amnesty International campus chapter and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF chapter. The latter organization helps raise money for and awareness of the United Nations International Children’s Fund, a national committee that works worldwide for children’s rights, their survival, development, and protection.
In addition to belonging to several honor societies, Mirsaeedi also published and presented many papers during her career at Alma — both on campus and in the broader academic and political arena. Through her many endeavors, Mirsaeedi earned several awards and scholarships, including a Discovering Vocation Grant and Kinney Scholarship in 2003 and a Lily Foundation Grant in 2004.
While her impact on campus was clearly evident, Mirsaeedi focused many of her energies in the global arena. In 2002, tired of witnessing so much strife and poverty in the world, Mirsaeedi and her friend Svetlana Kobzar of the Ukraine decided to take action. That year they founded the non-profit organization Forgotten Children of Eastern Europe (FCEE), which raises funds for the Veselka Orphanage — one of the poorest orphanages in the Ukraine, Kobzar’s home country.
In its first two years of existence, FCEE raised $20,000, money which has helped pay for an improved heating system in the orphanage and educational supplies for the children. The organization hopes to raise enough funds to install indoor plumbing at the orphanage.
As Mirsaeedi learned during her time at Alma, one person can make a difference in the world — and the rewards are overwhelming. When involved in such an endeavor, “Once you start, it’s hard to stop,” she says. “You see the impact you make.” Mirsaeedi insists that she’s not going to change the world, but she recognizes the impact that small changes can make in others’ lives.
Mirsaeedi’s drive to advocate change was in many ways a result of her background. She vividly recalls visiting her native country of Iran when she was young and seeing children suffering in poverty. “Since then, I wonder, ‘Why do I live the way I live? Why is there so much inequality and injustice in the world?’” While many ask this question, few take the steps to initiate change.
Though she’s already accomplished much, Mirsaeedi’s journey is just beginning. Since graduating from Alma, Mirsaeedi is pursuing an advanced degree in International Human Rights Law. Eventually she wants to work with the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court, in which she could “use a legal framework to fight for human rights,” and against international war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
Her ultimate goal, though, aims even higher: She aspires to be Secretary General of the United Nations. Clearly, she is well on her way.
