WOW benefits this month from reader suggestions. Sara Cooper, '01, wrote to say that she was very impressed by the work of one of her classmates, Jennifer Anaya, '01.

Ms. Anaya was a politics major with a theatre minor when she graduated from Whitman College and headed for law school at the University of Washington. Jennifer says that she decided she wanted to go to law school as far back as the fourth grade. Now she is just months away from realizing her goal and then must study for the dreaded Bar exam. But what makes her WOW material is not the goal she is about to achieve but the path she has taken to get there. While in school, Jennifer is working for the Domestic Violence Unit of the Pierce County prosecutor's office in Tacoma. She fights to get treatment or jail time for domestic violence perpetrators. She says it can be a frustrating job. She often sees the same perpetrators again and again as well as victims unwilling to testify against their abusers.

This Seattle/Tacoma native also volunteers her time as an attorney for foster care youth through UW's Child Advocacy Clinic. She and another volunteer provide free representation for youth who are often in court on a regular basis. Jen is able to really listen to these kids, and to give them a voice in shaping their own futures. She works on what the children want for themselves, not what the adults around them think is "in their best interests."

Last year Jennifer coordinated the Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington (SYLAW) program that teaches street youth about their legal rights. It often came down to teaching children the how-tos of taking care of themselves and navigating various legal and administrative systems. This required knowing the law and providing some mentorship when necessary.

Finally, Jen teaches Street Law to first and second year law school students at UW and teaches a course at Center School, an alternative high school in the Seattle Center, on topics of law. When asked how she stays positive and motivated Jen answered, "the kids keep me coming back for more." She also takes breaks for herself by horseback riding with her father and spending some free time with friends.

Jennifer says that her time at Whitman "opened her eyes" to the world and helped nurture her interest in youth and focus on youth advocacy. It also taught her to multi-task in a hurry! If you would like to contact Jennifer Anaya with questions about child advocacy or law school you can reach her at anayajr@u.washington.edu.