I Stand with AYA

By Todd Rockwell

My name is Todd Rockwell and my major area of study is Women Gender and Sexuality Studies with a minor in Queer Studies. My pronouns are he, his, him, they, them, and I am here to stand with AYA.

The AYA Fern

A survivor that endures many hardships

I have spent time working for call centers and big banks but decided to return to college instead of continuing my career. My goal is to learn ways of healing and ways to support the initiatives around me that focus on helping minority groups.

This is a time when our participation will literally shape the lives of those we help. The class I am taking is called ‘Making Alliances’ and I am hoping to find ways to build community and care for others and also work towards equality and educating the dominant culture.

Denkyem - Adaptability

The Fern is the symbol for Aya because of its sturdy hardy nature. This plant is a survivor and can survive much hardship. I am happy AYA uses such a strong symbol which also includes thoughts of growth, nature and tenacity. It reflects upon the stories of those who came before us, who have survived so much. It is this reason the Fern stands out to me and is perfect for our work building alliances and solidarity.