We are very pleased to announce that Asa Bartholomew '09 is this year's William Nicholas Liberi Memorial Prize winner! While the selection committee received many excellent nominations, Asa's commitment to TLGBQ activism and scholarship stood out. As one nomination stated, Asa has consistently demonstrated an exemplary understanding of "the intersections and connections between trans- studies and trans- activism and race, sexuality, class, white privilege, and colonialism." Additionally, she helped to found "la esquiniTa," a student support group intended to provide a safe space for trans- and questioning students on the Wells campus. Those who knew Will Liberi will doubtless be proud to include Asa Bartholomew among those who continue to honor his legacy at Wells and beyond.
Asa asked me to pass on a message of thanks to readers of this blog. Please click here to continue reading.
I remember meeting Will when he was a senior here at Wells, and I was living and working in Ithaca. I never got to know him, but the few times we met he struck me as a very open, kind, playful and loving
person. We met because he and Dr. Muñoz had organized a series of talks by transgender activists, and I drove up to Wells several times that year to hear people like Leslie Feinberg and Bear Bergman speak.
These experiences very directly influenced my identity as a transgender activist.
I am deeply honored to have received the William Nicholas Liberi Memorial Prize this year. I know that my experience at Wells was made easier because the work that he did educating students, faculty and
staff during his time here. I will continue to work for TLGBQ people in his name, and in the name of all of the transgender activists who have worked, lived, and loved before me. Thank you for the work that
each and every one of you do; none of us can do this work alone.
With much love and respect,
Asa Davis Bartholomew, '09
Thursday, May 7, 2009
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