Profile of a WAMM Activist: Kim Kokett

by Marie Simpson, WAMM

WAMM,s work requires dedication, passion, knowledge, and energy from those who participate. In this issue of worldwideWAMM, and the next two issues, we will profile three young activists clearly up for the challenge: WAMM members Kim Kokett, June Mathiowetz, and Kelly Telech. First, meet Kim Kokett.

Kim Kokett grew up in a northern suburb of the Twin Cities and attended college at St. Cloud State University. It was at St. Cloud, during her sophomore year, that Kim recalls first confronting issues of social injustice. She attended an event where various peace and justice organizations had information tables. Kim talked to the people representing these organizations about how the U.S. military destroys the earth,s environment and how violence perpetuates itself.

A short time later, Kim participated in her first "action," a protest rally in support of Leonard Peltier. She then joined a group of students engaged in a hunger strike to protest and draw attention to the college,s failure to meet the educational needs of its Chicano/Latino students.

In the summer of 1997, Kim returned to Minneapolis and sought out WAMM, an organization she had learned about from Polly Kellogg, an instructor at St. Cloud. Kim said that she knew when contacting WAMM that she wanted to join and take an active role. WAMM staff at that time (Tammy, Jackie, and Jennifer) welcomed Kim and solicited her assistance with newsletter mailings and the development of the WAMM "media contact" data base.

Currently, Kim serves as a member and Secretary of the Steering Committee. She continues to volunteer in the WAMM office whenever the time demands of two jobs and additional college classes allow. Kim is currently very interested in working on post-Seattle issues. She has come to believe that real change is going to require political change and she plans to become more active in the Green Party.

WAMM appreciates the work and ideas of dynamic young women like Kim. As an organization we must continue to welcome, support, and nurture new activists. The work can seem daunting without the empowerment that comes from standing as a collective, the sisterhood of WAMM.