2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows includes a Purdue student

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. − Purdue University student Charlotte Yeung has been selected as one of the 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows, an honor that awards her a scholarship and a three-continent study trip.

Yeung and the other Frederick Douglass Global Fellows will embark to Washington, D.C., Cape Town, South Africa, and Dublin, Ireland, for a "comparative study of social justice leadership," according to a release.

"The Government of Ireland will co-sponsor the 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellows," the release said, "in honor of the meeting between 27-year-old abolitionist Frederick Douglass and the great Irish reformer Daniel O’Connell in Dublin in 1845 – an experience that expanded Douglass’ view of social injustice and influenced his style of agitating for positive change through non-violent social and political efforts in the United States."

Yeung is one of 12 high-achieving students of color chosen for the award based on their commitment to "advancing peace" around the world and "building bridges between people with different viewpoints," the release said.

This year's Frederick Douglass Global Fellows are:

• Daniel Hernandez – Arizona State University, Health Service Administration

• Akil Cole – Georgetown University, Interdisciplinary Studies

• Samuel Li – Georgetown University, International Business

• Ife Martin – Howard University,Computer and Information Sciences

• Ja’Niya Howard – Indiana University, Interior Design and Business Management

• Ryan Javier – Lehigh University,Engineering and International Studies

• Hufsa Ahmed – Macalester College, Political Science and Economics

• Darius Butler – Oberlin College, African American Studies and Law and Legal Studies

• Charlotte Yeung – Purdue University, Political Science

• Malavika Kannan – Stanford University. Comparative Literature and Ethnic and Cultural Studies

• Florence Onyiuke – University of Pennsylvania, International Relations and International Business

• Gregory Perryman – University of Virginia,Public Policy Analysis and Environmental Science

Yeung was selected for the fellowship due to her academic excellence, communication skills and commitment to social justice, especially as a political science major, the release stated. She was also a 2023 finalist for the National Youth Poet Laureate and the 2022 Indy Youth Poet Laureate.

“Just as Douglass’ style of agitating for positive social change through non-violent social and political efforts was influenced by his meeting with Daniel O’Connell, the Fellows’ future changemaking efforts will be shaped by their comparative study of international peacebuilders and the personal connections they forge with their peers during the program,” said James P. Pellow, president and CEO of CIEE, said in the release. “The future leaders on this program will return home from their time abroad with an enhanced global perspective on advancing social justice and better prepared to be agents of change in their communities and in our world.”

Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ireland's ambassador to the U.S., commented on her and the country's excitement for these 12 visiting scholars.

"To celebrate that legacy, and reinforce the ties between our nations, I’m delighted that, through the Frederick Douglass Global Fellows, twelve brilliant young Americans from minority backgrounds will have the opportunity to travel to Ireland this year," Nason said in the release.

In addition to funding the Fellows, CIEE will provide the nearly 600 students who applied for this year's fellowship a $1,500 Frederick Douglass Scholars Grant that can be applied on any of CIEE's study abroad programs next year.

To learn more about the Frederick Douglass Global Felloship, visit it's website at ciee.org.FDGF.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: A Purdue student is in the 2023 Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship