Njoki Kamau

Anyone can make a difference. Every act of every person contributes to making collective change.”

What is your favorite part about working at the Women’s Center? 
I think my favorite part about working at the Women’s Center is the people I work with – my colleagues are people who believe it is possible to change things. They are dedicated people that believe in creating an environment that is inclusive.

 I love that the Women’s Center has always been particular about being inclusive. I feel like during contemporary times, the Women’s Center has moved aggressively to be very inclusive of trans and non-binary people. That’s something we’ve always been conscious about, trying to move the needle and make sure the community is resourced well. In fact, I used to sit on a committee known as the LGBTQ Campus Support Network. In 2007, I received an award for being an ally and I am extremely proud of the work we did. So, another favorite part is the work we do. We are doing social justice work, change work, transformation work – work that pushes the idea that everyone belongs at the table.

How has Northwestern evolved during your time at the University? 
The work of being inclusive and leveling the landscape is ongoing. Yes, we have come some way, but we still have a long way to go. For example, the creation of the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion - I remember when the first person was hired and the office was just one person. Now there is an office with a whole team and it is growing.

The population of POC (People of Color) [at Northwestern] is not the highest but it is growing amongst student, faculty and staff. So, the climate has changed from when I first joined.

How did you get started in activism? 
My earlier phase of activism came while I attended Nairobi University in Kenya. During that time, apartheid was in South Africa. As students we were very vocal. We used to go and demonstrate in front of the British High Commission.  We would do that routinely as students and of course we would get in trouble with the police for being disruptive.

 Even when I came to Northwestern as a student, I was a part of activism on campus. In fact, there was a conference we were protesting in 1961. We were trying to block this conference and demand that Northwestern stopped investing in businesses in South Africa where white minority ruled. I made it in the Daily!” (See article below).

Particularly with women, a lot of it has happened over the last 31 years working here at the Women’s Center and some time before. Prior to joining the Women’s Center, I was figuring out my way through relationship abuse. I went to the Evanston Shelter of Battered Women for help and from there I was so inspired by the work. The women there were so dedicated and committed in a way that I had not seen. And that is what started me off – because then I volunteered, then was hired on staff and before I knew it, I was the Director.

What is a fun fact about you? 
I like to dance! If there was music going right now, you’d probably see me moving.

Is there anything else you would like to share about the Women’s Center or your time here at the University? 
I am proud of the work we do at the Women’s Center. We are certainly not the only ones, but we are continually thinking about how to contribute to a more equitable and inclusive Northwestern community. There’s been growth on campus, but it is ongoing work and it is never complete.

I want to say we are all in this. Anyone can make a difference. Every act of every person contributes to making collective change.