The Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs welcomes Olyvia Salter as a Ruth Woo Fellow for 2018. The fellowship is a unique opportunity for currently enrolled students to learn about policymaking in government and to gain experience working in the Governor’s Office. Fellows will learn about the late Ruth Woo’s commitment to social justice and meet mentors connected to her legacy.
Olyvia is a junior at the University of Washington Tacoma majoring in Law and Policy with a minor in Human Rights studies. After recently traveling to Banjul, The Gambia for winter quarter and interning for Fatoumatta Naji, a member of the Gambian parliament, Olyvia applied for the fellowship opportunity, which includes a 10-week program in the Governor’s Leadership Academy. Olyvia will work alongside Keith Swenson, director of the Boards and Commissions office.
A south Seattle native, Olyvia is looking forward to developing relationships with community leaders connected to Ruth’s work to promote diversity in leadership positions and commitment to advancing social justice. Olyvia said she is particularly excited to “dive deeper into understanding the role of political leaders in my own backyard of Washington state and to be able to learn the intricate details of my community’s political power.”
The Commission looks forward to working with Olyvia during her fellowship and connecting her with mentors in the community.
