Many love her some may envy her but all respect her. Pepperdine’s Dr. Megan Francis has already established a name for herself across the globe during her first year out of school since kindergarten.
A recipient of the Linda Faye Williams Prize from Rice University founder of the Women of Color Caucus at Princeton University’s Graduate School and an expert on the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Francis has been strutting from the East Coast to the West Coast striving to change the world.
It began in her birthplace of Seattle Wash. Francis knew her purpose in life when she recognized how much race and poverty affected the lives of people in the inner cities of her hometown. “Why are things the way they are’?'” Francis asked. She was determined to answer that question and has been pursuing it ever since.
“One person can always make a difference Francis said, a sense of confidence rolling from her soothing tone. Throughout high school and college, she joined student government to begin changing things, became a facilitator in the Anti-Defamation League providing forums on racial problems and culture relations, and was appointed president of the Black Student Association advocating diversity and cultural change.
Francis’ interest in race, class and politics earned her the Linda Faye Williams Prize. The prize represents the passion that others share with Linda Faye Williams’s values and beliefs. Williams was one of the first two black undergraduate students to attend and graduate with a bachelor’s degree from Rice University. She dedicated her life to fighting for social justice and is considered an expert on race and gender politics at the University of Maryland.
I was surprised Francis said, still stunned at her accomplishment. It was a surprise to be recognized as an alumnus of Rice University committed to what Linda Faye was committed to in issues of politics and race and making things better in the margins of society.”
Francis wanted to leave behind an impact on the university. “I want people to know that I was determined driven empathetic concerned about a number of different causes and actively worked to change things and make them better.”
Francis seems to always have a keen eye to observing an issue and the willpower to solve it. In graduate schools across the nation she describes the lack of women of color. “The arts and sciences graduate programs are very solitary but for women of color it is very magnified in the sense that there are less of us Francis said. I was the only one [woman of color] in the program for a few years at Princeton in political science.”
Her desire to build bridges led her to begin the first Women of Color Caucus at Princeton University’s graduate program with her friend Lea Wright.
“You can get lost just thinking it’s just yourself. If you understand there are more people out there whether it is in the same state or the state across you can build a bond or coalition Francis says with a chuckle.
I wanted to understand the world better around my life and my friends’ lives she added. Her hard work and dedication led her to obtain a master’s and hold a doctorate in politics from Princeton. Her goal was to focus on racial violence in relation to the NAACP. In her dissertation, she tackles the issues of politics and struggles of the NAACP’s Campaign to End Racial Violence before the groundbreaking U.S. Supreme Court decision Brown v. Board of Education.
As an expert of the first quarter of the 20th century of the NAACP, she plans to make people aware of the importance of that era through the book she is currently writing, Crimes of Justice: Mob Violence American Politics and the Origins of Civil Rights.” It will discuss the issues she has been pursuing and researching.
Through all of her accomplishments her mother is the most supportive of her daughter’s fight for justice.
“She is passionate about doing something to right the wrongs in society said Annette Francis, Megan Francis’ mother. She is a non-conformist and will stick to her values despite how others may try to influence her.”
Megan Francis believes she accomplished her goal in raising awareness and fighting for social justice at Princeton University. She wanted to change people’s lives and bring people who were on the margins of society to the center. She believes she has been successful so far and wants people to know her dedication will continue after her graduation.
“The impact I wanted to leave behind I did leave behind” she sad. “I was a hard worker deeply committed to what I believe is true and right deeply committed to furthering graduate education for women of color.”
Francis is living her dream at Pepperdine University. After receiving her Ph.D. she wanted to assure herself a tenure track job at a university with colleagues that respected her work had real interesting students and a place her research would be supported. “I found all that at Pepperdine. I enjoy my students I like the people I work with and I adore this campus Francis said with excitement.
Always fight for what you believe Francis proclaimed.
Her journey has not always been a smooth, clear ride. She has encountered roadblocks along the way, but she believes in fighting for justice across all boundaries, but specifically focuses on race and gender.
The one challenge she has crossed in the process multiple times is apathy.” When fighting for social justice “people who do have resources or a tremendous amount of influence feel like they should not get involved or take up a specific issue Francis explained. It’s always easier for any of us to stand in our circle in our home in our floor. The hardest part is getting people to reach out.”
She expresses how it proves to be an issue. “We have to provide a reason
or rationale for why people should reach outside of themselves.”
The one thing that keeps Francis ticking through it all are the ones closest to her. “I have amazing friends she said with a huge grin. Her friends motivate her to get through the daily struggles. In regards to writing her book, Francis knows the importance of her book project along with the joy she gets from writing. The story I have to tell is important and makes a difference.”
Francis’ voyage is just beginning at Pepperdine University but she has proven to have changed the lives of many who have crossed her path. Her work with students with issues of race politics and criminal justice will be the first step in the Pepperdine community.
“I am proud to know Megan.” Her mother’s description like Megan herself is vivid and simple.