news
thursday, september 4,2003
Activism, employment, education occupy student's life
By Zack Hemenway
zhemenway@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Every face in the crowd and every name in the phone book has a story behind it. Every week, Kansan staff writer Zach Hemenway tells the story of a randomly selected KU student.
When Olathe junior Kelli Wilbite says.
Whitie says the word "we," she could be referring to any of the six activist
Kellie Wilhite, Olathe junior, ate lunch with her friends Julia Katz, Leawood senior, and Derek Richards, Bismark, North Dakota junior, yesterday. Wilhite said the lunch with her friends was a wonderful escape from her hectic schedule.
Faces in the Crowd
organizations she belongs to. She could also be talking about the campus department she works for.
When she has time, "we" is the close-knit group of friends she uses to escape her busy life as a student, employee and political activist.
Sometimes "we" is Wilhite's chosen political bloc or all the women of the world.
employees. The many "we's" in Wilhite's life don't leave much time for relaxation.
"I thrive on activity," she said. "I got six hours sleep last night, and that's the most I've slept in two weeks."
The groups competing for Wilhite's time are numerous, but most are related to two issues: women's rights and abortion rights. Wilhite is co-president of the Lawrence chapter of the National Organization of Women, and works with campus abortion rights groups.
She is organizing a concert at Abe and Jake's Landing, 8 E. 6th St., to benefit a group that helps women who can't afford abortions. Wilhite said spending her free time organizing and participating in such events was a fulfilling experience.
might agree.
"At first you feel like you're up against a brick wall," she said. "But once you get out there, you really start to feel like things can change."
Wilhite's leadership belies others' first impression of her. She described herself as "the girl who sits in class and never says anything."
"Kelli's not scared to talk to people and tell them what she thinks," said Julia Katz, Leawood senior.
Her friends, who have seen her in activist action, disputed this description.
During last year's Roe v. Wade anniversary demonstration at the state Capitol, Wilhite was nervous addressing the large crowd. She took a detour into a bathroom stall before speaking to the group.
group.
"I'll never get completely used to speaking in public," she said.
"But I know I have to do it, and it's getting easier."
getting easier.
Nervousness was not the only obstacle Wilhite had to conquer to take her public role. Becoming involved with abortion rights groups meant taking a side on a divisive issue.
"There are a lot of people who disagree with my views, and I respect that. But a lot of people don't view it that way," she said.
One anti-abortion activist group operates a Web site with "Nuremberg Files" of abortion rights activists. Wilhite checks the site regularly, fearing the addition of her friends.
"It's really sick that it's become a part of my life," she said.
Wilhite's activism will shift east
in spring 2004. She hopes to attend law school in the Washington, D.C., area after receiving degrees in women's studies and political science from the University.
v. She plans to use law school to
enter a career in politics.
into "I".
enter a career in politics.
Until then, Wilhite will continue working for the causes she believes in and taking pride in her identity. Because every once in a while, the groups, job and friends aren't around, and "we" turns
"I'll say some comment, and someone will say, 'what are you, a feminist?'" she said.
"I say, 'Yes I am.'"
- Edited by JJ Hensley
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