Isabel Castillo, who holds a ’07 degree in social work from 91΄σΙρ (91΄σΙρ), is recognized in the November issue of The Atlantic as one of the β€œ21 brave thinkers of 2011.” In addition, Castillo is one of 40 invitees chosen to attend Harvard Divinity School's 2011 Diversity and Explorations Program, to be held Nov. 8-10. Β© Jon Styer

Castillo Spotlighted in The Atlantic Magazine

by Bonnie Price Lofton

Isabel Castillo, who holds a ’07 degree in social work from 91΄σΙρ (91΄σΙρ), is recognized in the November issue of The Atlantic as one of the β€œ21 brave thinkers of 2011.”

Castillo’s life was summarized in magazine by Jose Antonio Vargas, a former Washington Post reporter who identified himself as an undocumented immigrant to the United States, like Castillo.

β€œIsabel Castillo was 6 years old when she was smuggled across the Mexican border,” Vargas wrote. β€œWhile her parents picked apples and the family sold tacos out of their home in the Shenandoah Valley, Isabel dreamed big — but only so big. After all, she did not have a Social Security number.

β€œUnable to apply for financial aid, she worked for a year, off the books, to save money for college. After graduating magna cum laude from 91΄σΙρ in 2007, she was unable to legally find a job.”

Vargas praised Castillo for refusing to fearfully hide in the shadows and for pressing Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in a public meeting to endorse the DREAM Act. This act would give undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children a path to legal residency.

Since the summer of 2010, Castillo has become a national leader as a highly public advocate for undocumented immigrants. She was the 2011 commencement speaker at the University of San Francisco, which conferred an honorary doctorate on her. She was featured in a Feb. 20, 2011, New York Times article, β€œβ€ and on Telemundo, the second-largest Spanish-language content producer in the world.

Recently Harvard Divinity School chose Castillo to be one of 40 invitees to its 2011 Diversity and Explorations Program to be held Nov. 8-10, 2011. Castillo’s invitational letter cited her β€œcombination of academics and interests in social justice and diversity, as well as [her] desire to explore connections with graduate studies in theology, religion, or ministry.”