Sofia Gillum

Sofia Gillum is from Charleston, South Carolina. Sofia became interested in politics and social justice because of the escalation of political tension in 2020, which was the first time she saw a young generation involved with global affairs. Human rights became her passion, and Sofia knew it was her calling to bring change. Her dream is to be a litigator for those who are overlooked. Sofia wants to be part of the movement that was continued by her generation.

These personal and professional ambitions have truly fueled Sofia’s current successes. She is incredibly invested in bettering her community, promoting social change, and bringing awareness to the issues our world faces today. Each act towards this goal is just as important as the next. Unlike most, Sofia has found herself as both a leader and a witness in her community, as seen through her role as the President of my high school's Black Student Alliance or her work as a Youth Outreach Coordinator for a local campaign. Sofia has made effective initiatives to better her community, whether that be supporting the black community at her school or fighting against gerrymandering within her county. Having completed these accomplishments at such a young age, Sofia has learned to persevere through challenges that may keep me from her goal. What sets Sofia apart is her active and holistic approach. Others may possess similar grades and scores, but Sofia’s ability to identify an issue and develop initiatives to work toward a solution makes her truly unique. At the University of Maryland, Sofia hopes to continue similar endeavors in the future and continue her commitment to benefiting her community.