Posted by Editor: FDBobko
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The FOGHORN 
ROTARY CLUB OF HALF MOON BAY
May 20, 2021   
 
Emma Tobin
HMB Rotary Global Scholar
 
Article by Joe Brennan
Photos by Dianne Bobko
 
John Evans introduced Emma Tobin who has lived in Half Moon Bay as well as many other places. She wanted to share a video she had made, but technologically it was not to be; so she launched in it her well crafted PowerPoint describing her lifetime of “Global Citizenship” beginning with this quote:
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” - Neale David Wallach
 
I). She introduced her Iowa farmer and nurse Grandparents and parents who did international service work and were teachers. She was raised on service activities; the world is our service. This was reinforced by an prevalent “Yes, And” attitude of possibilities and a positive approach. She lived in Iowa, Indiana, California, India, CA, Netherlands, Switzerland and Half Moon Bay so she was frequently the new kid and always with the view that there was “More Life to Live”. She was raised as a Global Citizen with wonderful parental support.
                      
                                           
 
II) She took a Gap Year with the goal of ending sex traffic in Asia during which she visited Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Morocco and Finland. She discovered the reality on the ground which was very different from her book learning. She saw the great challenge and realized she needed to educate herself. In Morocco she lived with a  family of seven in two rooms. As an American she didn’t understand the Muslim Arabic world but found it an enlightening experience to appreciate their different perspective.
Especially as she was there at the time of the terrorist bombings in the Netherlands carried out by Moroccans. She worked on Empowerment Projects via a Woman’s non profit; not just showing up but walking the talk.
             
 
III) Undergraduate education of a Global Citizen was at Seton Hall majoring in Diplomacy and Islamic Studies. She worked on the ground in Newark plus trips to Central America. She received among others a Truman Scholarship for Public Service one of 50, one from each state, to further her studies. She also had six internships:
- World Food Prize an award created by an Iowa native which has become huge Nobel Prize of Food focusing on the understanding that hunger is the root of many of the world’s problems. She had met the president Kennith Quinn in Cambodia
-  The Dubai Consulate in the Emirates enduring temperatures of 115 degrees where she worked with diplomats at their crisis work, daily.
- US Mission to the United Nations “Economic and Social Issues” at the time of Mickey Halley’s resignation. She had a fascinating experience dealing with every country which inspired her to want to serve high stakes diplomacy.
 
IV) After graduation from Seton .she was a contractor with US AID before enrolling at Oxford University in a masters program in Development Studies. The student body is 63% international which in itself is an amazing resource. The program examines development’s pluses and minuses, its mortal and ethical questions. She has been there since October under pandemic restrictions with most courses on line. Her study group is an amazing community from 18 countries. Her eight house mates are all from different countries. Her thesis will be on Female Genital Mutilation in Indonesia. FGM is practiced in 90 countries mainly on girls from 1 to 12 years old. It is a cultural tradition, why change. Because it causes pain, contributes to cancer and complications of child birth and long term health problems. It is rampant in African nations and in Indonesia 50% are cut, 60 million women. An anti FGM document has been signed by most countries but is either ignored or worked around as Indonesia’s “Medicalized” rationale.
 
Consistent with Rotary’s Maternal and Child Care area of emphasis her work will impact a woman’s whole life, onto her children’s lifetime plus. The Rotary Scholar ship will prepare her to pursue Women and Children’s health rights that must be addressed! They are addressable both Culturally and Scientifically. 
 
Q&A
Trafficing? Emma is very committed to combatting Girl Trafficking, a global blight. Education is the key as it gives bigger and longer rewards to the individual, her family. And community. Value off the individual is the basis...how to approach?
After Oxford? Emma wishes to get a Masters in Public Health to work on procedures and implementation to get long term improvements in health outcomes.
How did you plan Gap year? She used “Carpe Diem Education” a Gap Year Company, a nonprofit run by ex Peace Corps in Morocco
+ & - of electronic communications? Great to get parties together from disperate locations but field work is required. Zoom world has compromised confidentiality. Can’t ask certain questions on line due to concerns for the safety of the subject presenting an ethical, safety and research dilemma.
Languages? Emma has studied 8 languages. Arabic has been the most difficult - it usually takes 7 years but she is finding the effort pays off manifold socially and culturally. Dutch, German, Spanish, French, Mandarin, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic
She will attend Oxford through 2022 with her thesis due in April 2022.
 
Bill Gilmore, District 5150 Scholarship Committee described the high quality of candidates and the seven finalists. He declared that Emma will be a GREAT Global Scholar
Emma ended with a wonderful quote from a general; 
“As long as people traverse borders, tanks don’t have to.”
 
 
Club Meeting - May 20, 2021

President Mary Rogren called the meeting to order.

 Pledge of Allegiance and Inspiration Thought - Ralph Ely was on for both this week.
   

Guests Bill Gilmore (District 5150 Scholarship Com.) Emma's parents.

      

Happy/Crappy News  and Announcements yescrying
 
Liz reported on Little Libraries and the scheduled Paint Parties.
 
 
Marble Draw  sad surpriseSorry Ginger!
 

 

PHOTO GALLERY