ILR junior Jonathan Lam was recently named the inaugural recipient of the Trailblazer in Organizing and Activism Award given by Amnesty International USA.
"Jonathan exemplifies the qualities of a true Amnesty organizer-determined, engaged, and committed to transformative advocacy that changes lives," said Arielle Newton, senior organizer with Amnesty International USA. "He speaks passionately about how his family history shapes his intersectional approach to AIUSA's human rights work.
"We are only as strong as the members who believe in the work we do and take action - we are grateful to him!"
The Trailblazer in Organizing and Activism Award recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and innovation in guiding their state's Task Force, making a lasting impact on AIUSA's collective efforts.
"As a son of Vietnamese refugees and coming from Jackson Heights, a diverse immigrant community in Queens, New York City, this award symbolizes to me the resilience that my family and community have taught me," Lam said.
Majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations and double minoring in International Relations and Migrations, Lam holds distinctions as a National Meinig Scholar, Cornell Undergraduate Migration 2024 Scholar and Thrive Scholar '27.
He is a fellow with RFK Human Rights, where he started an advocacy project with Amnesty International staff on regulating the U.S. transfer of weapons. He is also a youth organizer with the ACLU of New York.
"Growing up, my parents often recalled their horrifying experience immigrating to the United States," Lam said. "They would hear bombs dropping at night, escaped Vietnam by boat and lived on Bidong Island, Malaysia, in a refugee resettlement camp.
"I am motivated by my identity, my family's immigration journey and my community to become involved in social justice and public service in hopes of amplifying our needs."
Read the whole story on the ILR website.
Julie Greco is a senior communications specialist at the ILR School.
