By: Brittany Guilfoyle
She takes a paintbrush to her canvas and finishes the last touches on the indifferent face of a young African boy. The powerful and motivational qualities of the painting characterize far more than just the boy, though, they represent the artist. Corinne Owens, daughter of Tim and Ruth Owens, hails from Summerville, S.C., and spends much of her time doing volunteer work in her hometown and in Rock Hill, S.C., where she is a senior at Winthrop University. At the age of 10, Owens volunteered for the first time when she helped build homes for Habitat for Humanity. Since then, a passion for helping others has only grown for the 21-year-old. Owens, an English literature major, works many hours throughout the week at The Limited in Pineville, N.C., but unlike many college students, she donates her free time to several good causes.
Establishing a legacy
As a student, she founded the Winthrop chapter of the African Awareness Coalition (AAC), part of the Progressive Student Network, and currently serves as the organization’s vice president. The AAC is a student-led organization that works to end social violence and conflict in Africa through political action, raising awareness and canvassing, according to Winthrop’s website. “In the past, we’ve (organization members) volunteered with and organized protests in Charlotte and we’ve lobbied in Washington, D.C.,” Owens said. “It’s really important for people to just know about what’s going on in Africa.” The AAC also uses the non-profit organizations Invisible Children and STAND to help inform others about the crisis in Africa; Owens said working for Invisible Children has been her best volunteer work experience so far. “I’m really passionate about their cause,” she said, “and anytime you really feel strongly about something, you’re going to enjoy it.” Last year, Owens became the 2009 campaign state director for STAND, based out of Georgetown, S.C.
Making a difference
She also works closely alongside Resolve Uganda, the organization More Than Me, which assists children in developing countries by getting them off the streets and into schools, and the Free People Free People organization, which rescues people from slavery and promotes freedom. For Owens, devoting her life to those in need is like a responsibility, she said. “I feel like we’re in this world for a certain amount of time,” she said. “If I’m a citizen of this community or of our world, being a part of it, I have to contribute.” And her achievements don’t stop there. Owens is a member of the Winthrop chapter’s Pre-Law Society and she works with Model United Nations. Her minor in peace, justice and conflict resolution studies also coincides with her membership in Amnesty International.
Enhancing lives near and far
At Winthrop, she serves as the community service chair for the sorority Sigma Sigma Sigma, where she contacts non-profit groups in Rock Hill and establishes partnerships with them. The sisters of the sorority then separate into teams and do volunteer work for these groups for a long-term, unspecified time period. Around the Rock Hill area, Owens volunteers at Safe Passage and has previously worked as a first-grade tutor at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church; she was a school youth adviser at Summerville Presbyterian Church in her hometown. Her love for working with people and for people drives her, she said, calling volunteering “one of the most rewarding experiences.” Owens is now in the process of helping to raise money for the Invisible Children Schools for Schools campaign that ends in December.
Looking ahead
As for her future plans, she said she wants to attend law school and work in public interest with the hope of advocating for children and eventually do legal work for a non-profit organization. “I want to volunteer the rest of my life; it’s what makes me happy, and I enjoy it,” she said. “So, it’s not really work; it’s a fun time.” Despite the fact some people may consider her a hero, Owens thinks otherwise. For her, volunteering comes naturally. “I don’t really think I’m a hero because I feel like I’m just doing what I should do and I feel like everyone else can do that as well,” she said.
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