Interview with Former Group 133 Coordinator Jennie Burnet, and current member of the AIUSA Board of Directors

December 1996

Q: When and why did you join AI?

A: I joined Amnesty International when I was in high school. I met a friend of mine in the hall at school, and she said she was going to an Amnesty International meeting. Feeling a bit stupid I asked, "What is Amnesty International?" She said, "a grassroots, international human rights organization." I asked, feeling even more stupid, "What are human rights?"

Well, after she explained, I went to a meeting. When I told my parents I had joined, my Dad said, "What! You've joined the Communist Party!?!" Since he reacted so strongly against Amnesty, I, of course, stayed a member and got more involved. (I'd like to add that now my father contributes $$$ to AI.)

Q: What made you join AI?

A: Amnesty appealed to my strong beliefs in the equality of all humans and in my interest in international politics and current events. I found that Amnesty was a great way to meet people with similar interests and a commitment to social justice.

Q: What was your worst experience in AI?

A: My worst experience had to be the Woodstock '94 Festival where I spent 3 days with no sleep, ate nothing good for me, and used the bathroom in whatever patch of bushes I could find. I spent most of my time trying to explain to people in 20 seconds or less what was happening in Rwanda, and why they should care. Despite the sensation that I was trying to get all the mud out of the Mississippi, it was incredibly energizing (especially since I was with the Williams Bros. who could give the Energizer Bunny a run for his life.)

Q: Your best?

A: This is hard to say. I guess both of the Human Rights Festivals on Newbury Street in Boston. They were really successful events, and I got to work with some really great people. Plus, being the stage manager I got to hob-nob with all the speakers and bands.

Q: What do you want to see happen in AI in the next 10 years?

A: In the next ten years I'd like to see Amnesty extend its sphere of influence beyond the legal, human rights, and intellectual circles. Although Amnesty has good name recognition, especially among young people, we need to make a better effort in reaching out to the average American and helping them understand our relevance to their daily lives.

Q: What do you think is the most important part of your work with AI?

A: To be honest, the letters I still try to write each week are the most important thing I do. But I also see my role on the Board of Directors in overseeing the budget of the organization and setting policy as very important (although not always exciting).

Q: Where are you going and when?

A: I moved to Chapel Hill, NC in August 1996 to begin a Ph.D. program in Cultural Anthropology. I plan to study the Rwandan genocide, especially the role of women in reconciliation efforts.

Q: Can you talk a little about your time as Co-Coordinator of Group 133?

A: As Co-Coordinator of Group 133, I learned a lot about being a leader. Especially, I learned that being a good leader is simply letting others take the lead when they have expertise or energy. I learned the need for diplomacy and tact although I probably did not succeed in mastering these arts while I was a Coordinator.

Q: Who are your role models (in or out of AI)?

A: A few of my role models are: Ginetta Sagan, Iqbal Masih, Ken Saro-Wiwa, Monique Mujawamariya, Syndey Huynh, Peris Gumz, Andrew Miller, Rick Roth, Carl Williams, Chris Williams, Carla Bernardes, Rosanna Warren, Heather Wiley, Hilary Naylor, Rena Margulis, and many others.