UNC junior appointed to town committee

Kaori Sueyoshi, a UNC junior, wants to bring a better feminist perspective and more diversity with her to her recent appointment to Chapel Hill’s Justice in Action Committee.

The committee works to reflect the town’s commitment to racial, economic and social justice, according to its mission statement.

Sueyoshi was born and raised in Chapel Hill and has participated in activist and justice related movements across North Carolina. She said her attraction to justice is rooted to her upbringing here.

“Going through the school system here, I learned to value justice and fairness in a way that’s reflected most of my activities,” she said.

She said she became interested in joining a town advisory board when a mentor in Washington D.C. told her about openings and encouraged her to apply.

“I’m committed to maintaining the high quality of life here,” she said. “Student voices and student population are half this town, so Chapel Hill needs a government that represents that student atmosphere.”

She said she hopes to help give young people a voice in the community and represent student needs, like affordable housing.

Sueyoshi isn’t the only UNC student who has been involved with a community board while studying at Carolina.

She said Councilman Lee Storrow, who serves as a liason to the Justice in Action Committee, inspired her to apply for the position.

Storrow said he got involved when his undergraduate career was coming to a close.

“I felt like I could be a bridge between the University and the town,” he said.

Storrow, who was involved in the application review process, said Sueyoshi’s interest in social justice issues made her seem like a valuable addition to the Justice in Action Committee.

“Students interested in this need to have passion and must be willing to work hard,” he said.

The student perspective is so valuable in office that the town has plans to guarantee spots on new boards for students, Storrow said.

“UNC students are just as qualified and competent as long-term residents,” he said.

South Moore, also a UNC junior, has served on the town’s Justice in Action Committee since February.

“I was very excited when I found out we got another student on the committee,” Moore said.

He said passion, knowledge of local issues and patience are some of the qualities that make one successful on the committee.

Moore said Sueyoshi will definitely be a good asset to the committee because of her outstanding credentials.

“She was very well prepared and organized,” Moore said. “It’ll be great to work with someone who doesn’t already have a law degree.”

city@dailytarheel.com