Meet Ellen Mrja, a mass media professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Along with being outspoken, Mrja believes in women empowerment and standing up for your rights.
Mrja grew up in northern Minnesota on an Iron Range where men ruled and women rarely spoke up. While watching her mom raise six children as a homemaker, she discovered her want for independence and freedom.
In graduate school, Mrja found her voice with the help of her favorite professor, Donald Gillmor, and became the woman she is today.
One reason why Mrja believes it’s important to be independent and opinionated is because she wants to be a role model for her daughter and other young women.
At MSU one of the classes Mrja teaches is Mass Media Law. She encourages us to exercise our rights to speak openly and freely without fear of censorship.
“Don’t censor yourself,” said Mrja, “don’t ever censor yourself to please someone else. That’s something I see too much of.”
Mrja believes it is critical for women to be open and outspoken because there are many women in the world who cannot speak up and fight for survival.
“Here in our country our problems come in civilized ways,” said Mrja. “When women suggest something, no one agrees and when a man says something they agree. White men come from a place of privilege, and don’t get it. They think, ‘what’s the matter with her?’ I’m showing that I’m here.”
Mrja’s lessons show collegiettes how important it is to be independent and outspoken. We are all thriving for education and our futures, why not empower each other while doing so?
Ladies here’s a quick tip from Mrja’s law class: “planning on getting married? Make sure your significant other pops the question on a holiday like Christmas or Valentine’s Day. Why? Well, if things ever go south the ring is legally yours because it’s a gift. That’s right, you won’t have to give it back. You are welcome.”