HomeMy WebLinkAboutDec 7 2017- HRRC Essay Contest
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Krystal Caron, Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-826-0347 • kcaron@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Winners Announced for Human Rights Essay Contest
Edina, Minn., Dec. 7, 2017 – The winners of the Human Rights Essay Contest were announced at the Dec.
5 City Council meeting. Two students, Eva Hadjiyanis and Mythili Iyer, were recognized for their essays
examining the question of “How does discrimination affect women and girls in our country, state and
community today?” Submitters were also asked to think about whether race, nationality, socioeconomic
status, ability or educational level plays a role and what actions the community could take.
“The two winners had two different approaches to how they answered these questions,” said HRRC Chair
Jim Nelson. “Mythili took a broader, worldwide socio-economic look at discrimination against women.
Meanwhile, Eva looked at discrimination on the national and local levels in terms of female representation in
the Senate and Fortune 500 companies. Both were effective in their own way.”
The goal of the Human Rights Essay Contest was to raise awareness about human rights challenges and
opportunities among those who live, work and study in Edina. In addition, the HRRC wanted to acknowledge
and recognize those who are giving thoughtful consideration to issues of human rights.
“The discrimination against women cannot be stopped by a single person, essay or documentary. The only
way to change it is to change the mindset of our society. I cannot hope to single-handedly shift the way every
person thinks, but even helping one woman understand that she can do whatever she sets her mind to can
begin a domino effect,” said Hadjiyanis in her essay submission.
Iyer also noted in her essay that the way toward change is through making changes and spreading awareness
in your own life to lead toward greater change for future generations.
“The best way to bring about change is to set forth expectations and guidelines for future generations by
creating awareness. Through awareness of these issues, society as a whole will step up and not be afraid to
address these issues that are prevalent all over the nation,” she said.
The winners received a gift card from Barnes & Noble in addition to their recognition at the City Council
meeting. Winning essays can be found online at EdinaMN.gov/HumanRightsEssay.
For more information, contact City Management Fellow Chante Mitchell at 952-826-0429 or
cmitchell@EdinaMN.gov.
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