“I love the idea of being able to use Journalism and human rights together. Whatever I end up doing I just really want to help people.”
Lauren Morby, a freshman at Saint Louis University and majoring in Political Science and Communications with minors in Spanish and Women’s and Gender Studies, was growing up in a small town in Illinois called Aledo. Her hometown only has about 3,500 people in it; however, this does not prevent her from becoming a great person with such an expansive and empathetic world view.
Morby has always enjoyed speaking for justice. Back to a few years ago, in Mercer County high school where she graduated from, she was the co-leader to plan a student gun violence walk-out. The school administration warned them that they will suffer an unexcused absence, in response to the unilateral decision, Morby and other leaders went to a local media in Aledo for help in publicizing their situation.
The reason she chooses to come to the SLU was that the school offered the best finical aid and she got approved from MLK Scholarship. Another factor attracting her was the feeling of the campus and the commitment to serving the community as a whole.
For her, it was quite an adjustment coming to St. Louis to study after growing up in a small town. One of the biggest struggles for her is the stereotype people have about the small town. A lot of people are still having a preconceived idea that people from small town are not as smart and are rednecks, which she has worked for years to not be. One of the big differences for her between a diverse city and small town is people, that the way to apologize and communicate from both sides is a way different. “This is not necessarily a negative for cities that are more diverse, and people are free to be who they really are.” Morby added.
During campus life, Moby volunteers weekly in a homeless shelter providing tutoring and child care for the kids at Gateway 180, St. Louis. “This so far has been my favorite part of SLU and the kids have changed my life and made me more empathetic to people experiencing homelessness.” Morby said. The 2016 election of Donald Trump played a big role in her mind in wanting to serve the underdog community. Morby stated that his election made her really nervous that hate and bigotry were going to come back in full swing.
Morby also involved in various groups on campus. She is currently on the committee for sexual assault prevention of the Student Government Association, and the Communications chair of an MLK Scholar. She is also a member of the Learning Communities Activities Board and represents the learning community of Diversity and Global Citizenship.
After graduating from college, Morby hopes to someday become a human rights lawyer or investigative journalist because she was recently inspired by Ronan Farrow’s work by exposing Harvey Weinstein. “I grew up in a rural homogenous town that was often racist, sexist, and homophobic. I want to be able to help people my hometown and society oppresses.” Said Morby.
Morby’s mother’s teaching played a great role in shaping her personality. Her mom always taught her to be kind to people from different backgrounds. One way she used was telling her people with different races and sexualities should be equal through movies and televisions they watched together.
Due to the global COVID-19 situation and Stay at Home Order of St. Louis, Morby love to watch movies, TV shows, and read books to pass the time. Recently, she just finished the novel Catcher in the Rye which was her second time to read it. Morby admired the main character Holden’s personality on his attitude towards people who are full of themselves. “I like that he is able to see past the “phonies” and tries to find the true authentic people.” Morby Said.
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