Meet the 2012 Point Scholars

Kathryn Kendall

Boston College Law School
Law

Kathryn Kendall was raised in a traditional, privileged Southern family. Expressing individuality often meant ostracization. So her coming‐out experience at the end of high school was harsh. Thankfully, Kendall soon found a small but accepting group of friends at the University of Virginia through the Queer Student Union and the University of Virginia women's rugby team. She turned to her new friends in these social networks as she struggled with family problems and worked to accept her identity as a lesbian woman.

After being accepted into Teach for America, Kendall was placed in a school in rural Eastern North Carolina. Kendall quickly discovered that she would have to sacrifice her identity as a lesbian because North Carolina is a state where it is legally permissible to fire a teacher because of their sexuality. So Kendall concealed her sexuality, dodged personal questions and listened to homophobic comments from her co‐workers and administrators.

All the while, Kendall struggled with remaining silent. But after having had this experience she now fully understands the necessity of LGBT legal reform. The marginalization she faced has inspired Kendall to go to Boston College Law School. And she is looking forward to being an agent of change so that one day equality can overcome injustice.