By Saron Gebereegziabhier
Trinity Times Correspondent

What happens when Trinity Washington University students step onto the world stage? They make waves.

During the university’s 2025 spring break, Trinity students traveled to the United Nations Headquarters in New York to participate in the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The CSW is a global forum that meets annually to evaluate progress on gender equality and promote women’s rights worldwide. 

Under the guidance of Global Affairs Professor Allen Pietrobon, the Trinity delegation contributed a student-led Parallel Event titled “Confronting Gender-Based Violence to Promote Peace & Justice,” which brought together academic research and grassroots insights from women in conflict zones like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Nigeria.

In partnership with Citizens for Global Solutions (CGS), Trinity students spent the fall and spring semesters researching international human rights systems, global governance, and gender policy. They engaged in workshops on the Universal Periodic Review, policy writing, and UN peace processes, ultimately preparing to bring their voices to one of the most critical international forums for gender equality.

“As a CGS Fellow, my role has been focused on researching gender-based violence and mechanisms like the Universal Periodic Review,” said Nicole Mayo, who attended as a delegate. “Being in those rooms, engaging in discussions, and hearing from global leaders was surreal.”

The CGS Fellowship is an academic-year program that prepares Trinity students — particularly those interested in international relations, human rights, and policy work — for active participation in global advocacy. Fellows attend weekly workshops on United Nations structures, human rights law, and global governance in the fall, followed by a fully funded trip to the United Nations Headquarters in New York City in the spring, where they engage in real-time policy discussions during the Commission on the Status of Women conference.

Cinthya Calderon-Hernandez, a junior double majoring in Political Science and Global Affairs with a minor in Communications, and Lauren Woodhouse, a junior in Global Affairs with a minor in Latin American Development Studies and Philosophy, served as Trinity’s official presenters on the panel. Their preparation, however, went far beyond rehearsing speeches.

“My biggest concern was to deliver a respectful and considerate presentation for the women in the DRC,” Calderon-Hernandez told Trinity Times. “I have to find a way to share research that will not undermine these women or take a part of their voice.”

Woodhouse echoed the high stakes of presenting on such a global stage. “I feel incredibly grateful… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” she said, noting the challenges of juggling six classes and work obligations while preparing. 

Woodhouse’s family, particularly her mother and sister, served as supportive rehearsal partners. “Luckily, my mom and sister Sydney are always happy to listen and give feedback.”

Presenting at the UN was not only an academic milestone but also a moment of deep personal transformation. “I think I blacked out!” joked Woodhouse, reflecting on her nerves during the opening. To aid communication with interpreters, she kept a digital reminder open that read “SLOW DOWN.”

For Calderon-Hernandez, feedback from mentors and peers helped dispel imposter syndrome. “There is a reason why I am doing this,” she said. “Hearing back positive feedback from my mentors gained my confidence.”

While Mayo didn’t present, her behind-the-scenes work in research and engagement was deeply impactful. 

“Many attendees acknowledged the importance of intersectionality in addressing gender-based violence,” she said. “It was a full-circle moment to walk into the General Assembly Hall, a place that had been on my vision board.”

Pietrobon, who facilitated the fellowship program, emphasized the significance of student-led participation. “This is the second-largest annual event the UN hosts, and the students are not just attending — they’re working as delegates,” he said. “They’re grappling with very high-level topics and doing so with impressive insight.”

He underscored the value of including live voices from the field. 

Despite time zone and connectivity challenges, the panel featured women from Nigeria and war-torn Congo via Zoom, Pietrobon said. “It was important for us not just to have an academic presentation, but to hear from people who are actually working on the ground.”

The program not only connects Trinity students to global conversations but also empowers them to carry those insights into their academic and career paths. 

“The CSW aims to help solve the global problems around gender equality,” Pietrobon said. “It’s wonderful that our students will be able to look back and say they were a part of helping to address these problems on the global stage.”

The Global Affairs professor will soon be looking for next year’s CGS Fellows, calling on interested students to keep an eye out his the next call-for-applications this April.