Pennsylvania
Amy Richards

Villanova University

Amy Richards attends Villanova University and is involved in human rights advocacy and the fight for social justice through a peace and justice. “Through my internships with the Villanova Law Clinic for asylum and immigration law, as well as a legal intern with the New York State Division of Human Rights, I was exposed to the effects of U.S. foreign and domestic policies on individuals as I represented victims of human rights abuses through law,” Amy said. “I developed translational skills while interviewing subjects in Spanish for testimony, which I have used in my service abroad in Latin America and Spain. As a delegate at both the International Model United Nations in Cairo and a Human Rights and Foreign Relations Conference in Germany, I engaged in foreign policy debate concerning sustainable development. Back on campus in PA, I have used my experiences abroad to create awareness programs and advocacy days involving hundreds of students through the Anti-genocide Coalition, Amnesty International and the Progressive Student Network. I have also gained an interest in writing, and have contributed to a number of campus publications in which I have been able to raise awareness about current issues commonly ignored by college students. My volunteer work and the documentary on which I am working in Philadelphia have opened my eyes to hardships that hit close to home. It is this proximity to discrimination and poverty in Philadelphia that has prompted me to become involved in advocacy with Pennsylvania’s state representatives and to affect policy change in every way that I can.”