Each month the Food and Culture program will be celebrating and featuring members from the SSU community who are part of a cultural or underrepresented group. Mo Phillips was recognized during Women's History Month. Learn more:
What is your name?
Mo Phillips
From what institution are you visiting us?
Student Involvement
Who is the activist that you relate to the most from this month's history?
There are always people who I don't know that I would look up to for things they have done, said, beloved, sacrificed, but really when it comes down to my hero or people who have influenced who I am and why I am, hands down I have to pick my Mother, Diane Timmerman. In her 5 1/2 year battle with stage 4 lung cancer, she fought hard, with grace, and throughout, faced this battle as she did everything else in life, head on, one day at a time, and on her terms. She was my biggest supporter, showed me what it meant to be a servant, kind, loving, caring and to take care of my family both the family I was born into and the one that I chose. Her spirit was strong, but in the end her energizer bunny light just slowly dimmed until she was gone. I can only hope that I am half the person she was and thought I was.
What moment in history has been the most relevant to your civil rights now?
Right to vote, right to choose, right to marry who I love, equal pay, title IX etc..... All of these moments are important to all of us as we move forward an gain moment and create our own moments where we stand.
How do you contribute to this month's history at Sonoma State University?
Providing social and educational programming and bringing speakers not only during March but all year long to talk about their stories about their journeys, their set backs, their triumphs etc..... I support and lift up faculty, staff and students as I observe them making an impact where they are. Where we all are.
What is your favorite dish?
You know it's just a special bond with my mom really. Basic things like steak and potatoes, Eggs and bacon and strawberry jam on my toast(we always stole the jelly) Taco Tuesdays and she always had lots of Diet Coke on hand for me:)