Shay Johnson Named Salutatorian for Spelman College Class of 2013

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Shay Johnson, Salutatorian, Spelman College Class of 2013

ATLANTA, GA (05/20/2013)(readMedia)-- Shay Johnson has been named salutatorian for the Spelman College Class of 2013. Johnson was among  more than 500 graduates to receive degrees at Spelman's 126th Commencement exercises on Sunday, May 19, at the Georgia International Convention Center in Atlanta. U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, M.D., was the commencement speaker.

With a 3.94 GPA, Johnson, a political science major with a Spanish minor, is headed to Harvard Law School in the fall, and will study international law. Following law school, Johnson looks forward to developing policy concerning human rights and corporate social responsibility; and hopes to eventually secure a policy-making position with the United Nations or an international government agency.

A presidential scholar and honor student at Spelman who enjoys traveling, Johnson participated in the School for International Training's multi-lateral diplomacy and international studies program in Switzerland in fall 2011. While studying abroad, the Marietta, Ga., native completed a research project that involved the geo-political analysis of human trafficking in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Since then, she has completed additional research projects focused on human rights and human trafficking. In April 2013, she earned first place at Spelman's annual Research Day for an oral presentation that examined human rights violations against women in Morocco and India.

In addition to a solid academic foundation, Johnson said her four years at Spelman also afforded her an enriching experience that allowed for personal and spiritual growth. "You come into yourself and the type of woman you want to be," she said. "The rigor of academics [at Spelman] helped prepare me for Harvard," added Johnson, a member of the honor societies Phi Beta Kappa and Alpha Lambda Delta. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

"Knowing my personal potential has prepared me for Harvard. And the confidence bestowed upon me as an African- American female, that I am empowered and can do whatever I want to do, has prepared me for Harvard and a career after law school."

Johnson is a graduate of Spain Park High School in Hoover, Ala. Her family resides in Acworth, Ga.

About Spelman College

Founded in 1881, Spelman College is a highly selective, liberal arts college widely recognized as the global leader in the education of women of African descent. Located in Atlanta, Ga., the college's picturesque campus is home to 2,100 students. Outstanding alumnae include Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman; Sam's Club CEO Rosalind Brewer, Broadway producer Alia Jones, Former Acting Surgeon General and Spelman's first alumna President Audrey Forbes Manley, Harvard College Dean Evelynn Hammonds, Author Pearl Cleage and Actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson. For more information, visit www.spelman.edu.