Sue Levering Social Justice Award honors Adelphi University student passionate to help others

Scholarship is named for the late activist, feminist and global citizen.

Susan Dworkin Levering, an activist, feminist and global citizen who helped change the world for the better, passed away on October 13, 2010, after a life of political activism. To honor the memory of his late wife, Associate Provost for Academic Affairs Dr. Les Baltimore created the Sue Levering Social Justice Award for Levermore Global Scholars (LGS) who are active and informed global citizens. This year’s honor is awarded to Kristie Ranchurejee ’14, a student passionate about understanding different cultures and making lives better for people all over the world.

Ms. Levering organized demonstrations and civil disobedience projects to oppose the war in Vietnam, supported the anti-apartheid and anti-colonial movements in South Africa and Zimbabwe respectively, and had a law practice on Long Island. She generously devoted her time to her clients while fighting against racial discrimination and for better services for the disabled in her school district. Sue Levering’s life exemplified the idea of the committed citizen. Ms. Levering’s legacy will be those who continue to work to make the world a more just, humane, and peaceful place, which was the goal that defined her life. This year’s recipient succeeds in this category.

Kristie Ranchurejee, now calls Richmond Hill in Queens her home, but she was born in Guyana, South America — an area she hopes to return to after graduation. Ms. Ranchurejee is an international studies major with minors in economics and peace studies. She feels fortunate to be a part of the Levermore Global Scholars (LGS) program as it has presented her with many opportunities at Adelphi University and beyond. As an LGS student and member of the LGS Student Leadership Council, she has participated in various globally focused activities on and off campus. These have included lectures with international guest speakers, cultural excursions into New York City, and service projects, such as the P.E.A.C.E. program in Hempstead, NY. Last year, Ms. Ranchurejee represented the LGS Program as one of its delegates to the United Nations Youth Assembly. This past summer, she also interned at the Long Island Children’s Museum through Adelphi’s Community Fellows Program.

One of her personal highlights at Adelphi was when she attended the lecture given by the ambassador from St. Lucia, which like Guyana is part of the West Indian community. He spoke about the contemporary challenges facing these nations. “More importantly, [he spoke] on development and sustainability, which is the field I want to go into, in the region I want to work,” she explained.

Ms. Ranchurejee, is the president of Amnesty International on campus. She reflected on a recent event the organization co-sponsored with the Muslim Student Association, called Faith and Human Rights. The forum created a comfortable environment for people to discuss their religious views on several issues. “The best part was everyone was able to express what they feel, with openness and no resentment,” she said. She is appreciative that the LGS program has helped provide a venue where Adelphi students can discuss controversial topics, better understand one another, and help the world become more informed.

LGS develops active and informed global citizens who are compassionate about other people, educated in global and local issues, knowledgeable about other societies and nations, and skilled in advocating for change. Scholars attend seminars, participate in conferences and workshops at the United Nations, and attend events with international leaders and policy makers amongst other activities. Find more information about the  Levermore Global Scholars program.