Cultivating and maintaining self-respect in the face of societal headwinds can be extremely difficult and feel like a real reach on any given day. That’s the subject of this week’s conversation between Laura and recent college graduate, and soon-to-be medical school student, Celeste Coler. They start by talking about the fraught process of being accepted into, or rejected from, schools and jobs. From there, Celeste shares beautifully about navigating recent loss and trauma in her life. Being mixed race there’s lots to talk about in terms of being a part of predominantly white institutions, and they end on an inspiring note with Celeste describing the incredibly important work she and her peers have done to promote a culture of consent and sex positivity in college. One can’t walk away from this conversation without feeling a lot better about today’s current landscape.
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About Celeste
Celeste is a recent graduate of Claremont McKenna College where she studied Biology and History with a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. During her time at Claremont, Celeste dedicated herself to sexual violence prevention through her role as president of CMC Advocates, an organization of sixty students who offer support through hotline services, educational events, and event safety. Celeste is passionate about preparing students to lead emotionally healthy lives and integrate intersectionality into their activism. She will be attending medical school at the University of Washington in the fall.