Name: Shalom Kato
Pronouns: She, her, hers
Position: Summer Advocacy Intern
Hometown: Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Growing up, Shalom Kato always knew about the ACLU. Reading about our involvement in historic milestones like Brown v. Board of Education shaped her early understanding of our identity and mission.
But it wasn’t until she watched “On the Basis of Sex,” a movie about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fight for women’s equality in the law and her work with the ACLU that Shalom was truly inspired.
This film showed her not only the tenacity of Ruth Bader Ginsburg despite initial resistance, but also the ACLU’s flexibility to defend different groups as the times change.
“From there, I researched the ACLU and learned about the Women’s Rights Project, a project specifically pioneered by RGB,” she said. “Since then, I have always wanted to help the ACLU and its cause.”
And now, that’s exactly what Shalom is doing as the ACLU of South Dakota’s summer advocacy intern. During her internship, she will support the chapter’s voting rights and civic engagement efforts through research, advocacy, community outreach, and collaboration with coalition partners, stakeholders, and student organizations.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where do you go to school? What do you like to do in your spare time?
Hello! I am a rising third-year student at the University of Chicago, majoring in political science and minoring in human rights. In my free time, I like to play Unsolved Mystery board games, play tennis, and draw. Although I have lived in Sioux Falls my entire life, I was born in Butajira, Ethiopia. I have one older brother, and an amazing mother and father. I would say I am a bit eccentric, but maybe because I am the youngest sibling, but I am also laid-back and always down to do whatever!
When did you first hear about the ACLU and why is the work appealing to you?
I have always known about the ACLU since I was a child, but I really got into the ACLU after watching “On the Basis of Sex,” a movie about Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s fight for women’s equality in the law and her work with the ACLU. From there, I researched the ACLU and learned about the Women’s Rights Project, a project specifically pioneered by RBG. Since then, I have always wanted to help the ACLU and its cause.
Which of the ACLU’s issue areas are you particularly passionate about and why?
I am extremely interested in the ACLU’s work with women’s rights, free speech, and human rights. Women’s rights have always been a particular interest to me because of work I’ve done at the University of Chicago with the Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Committee and the Undergraduate Law Magazine. My interest in free speech and human rights stems from my parents’ upbringing in Ethiopia, where both of those liberties were suppressed during their time. Their reason for coming to America was because these liberties were protected, so I hope to continue helping the ACLU protect these liberties the U.S. has.
What is your favorite way to get involved in your community?
I like to join various political clubs from all sides and come to community forums to hear about people’s current ideas and feelings within the community. This kind of interaction helps me keep in touch with community around me and understand the current social landscape.
Volunteering is also a great way because I also get to interact with different people from all walks of life.
What excites you about advocacy work?
Advocacy helps bring power back to the people by helping them mobilize and understand the issues affecting their community. I am excited to be in advocacy because I feel like I am helping a cause greater than myself, and to bring justice and power for the community I am blessed to be in.
Do you have any advice for someone who might be interested in getting more politically involved in their community?
Network with anyone and everyone possible in the political space. Even if they sound like they have an important and “fancier” position than you, so many people are willing to help you learn how to get politically involved and connect you with amazing opportunities. Additionally, connect with your peers who also want to get into similar work as you — maybe collaborate and you will know someone who can help you understand the political landscape even more.
Which of the Constitution’s amendments are most important to you and why?
The 19th Amendment is the most important to me because it allows women to vote, a liberty that historically has been suppressed in many countries. The First Amendment is also extremely important to me because it allows people to have freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion. Being born in a country that, at the time, suppressed those values, I am forever thankful that the United States has these written in the Constitution for everyone to enjoy!
What issues do you think are most important for South Dakotans to pay attention to?
Voting rights is a huge issue for South Dakotans, especially because there has been a bigger push lately to limit the people’s liberty that is essential for a democracy to survive.
What are you most looking forward to during your time as an intern?
Getting to know more about my home state’s political landscape as well as interacting with the local community and the community at the ACLU!
