Lucy Grimshaw
University of Missouri – St. LouisLucy Grimshaw is a student in the Pierre Laclede Honors College at the University of Missouri – St. Louis pursuing undergraduate degrees in Public Policy Administration and Social Work with a pre-law emphasis. Lucy’s interests include how structural inequalities in the legal system lead to unjust outcomes for individuals. Lucy is currently a Student Government Association Senator and participates in the Emerging Leaders and Advanced Leaders program. She is a Big Sister with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and is a mentor for the Girls on the Run nonprofit organization.
Lucy recently won a campus-wide essay competition that focused on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “Peace on Earth” speech. Her favorite line states, “It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated. We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied into a single garment of destiny.” In her own words, Lucy asserts, “We cannot afford to not look out for the underdog, because we ourselves are interconnected, and what hurts one group of people hurts us as well…Now more than ever we need to connect with those who are in different neighborhoods, cities and nations to try and get a grasp of a life other than our own.”
Personal Statement
My vision is to advocate for those who are disadvantaged and marginalized by helping them to understand the resources available to them. I want raise awareness of the way laws hinder and help people. The culmination of this goal is to defend disadvantaged people in the court room. I have had the privilege to learn and go to college. I want to use my education to serve those who haven’t had this privilege. I have a little sister through Big Brothers, Big Sisters and am honored to be able to mentor her. She has been through a lot in her life but is very resilient and has grown so much. In addition, I coach for Girls on the Run; and many of the girls come from impoverished areas. It is a real honor to see these girls grow in confidence and succeed. I’m also a student senator at UMSL and have had the opportunity to advocate for students on campus. Lastly, I serve with UMSL’s students of service organization, and mentor two participants in the Emerging Leaders program on campus. Service is central to who I am, and I would be honored to serve as a Newman Fellow.