Shawna Gillen

Bio

Shawna is currently studying Political Science and Psychology at Marist College. She has a passion for politics and is an aspiring lawyer. In her spare time she likes to play club women's rugby, and contributes as the Co-News Editor for Marist's student newspaper.
Reshma Begum: Miracle Survivor Of the Bangladesh Factory Disaster That Killed 1,000 People
By Shawna Gillen
A woman was rescued after being trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building in Bangladesh for 408 hours. Reshma Begum is a seamstress that fought for her survival in a basement prayer room for over two weeks after the building she worked at…
Kevin Grayson Gay: Is This a New Revolution in Sports?
By Shawna Gillen
As NBA player Jason Collins broke a major barrier last month by coming out of the closet, another athlete has followed suit. College football star and NFL hopeful Kevin Grayson has opened up about his sexuality, and describes the struggles for other…
Jadarrius Speights: When a 3-Year-Old Shoots Himself By Accident, What is Wrong with American Parenting?
By Shawna Gillen
A 3-year-old boy has died after shooting himself in a Tampa, Florida apartment Tuesday. Jadarrius Speights reportedly found the weapon in his uncle's backpack. While investigation is still underway, this event serves as yet more collateral to serve…
Amanda Berry Rescue: Is McDonald's Exploiting the Tragedy As a PR Stunt?
By Shawna Gillen
The man who has been deemed the hero in discovering three women who were missing for over a decade is being pursued by McDonald’s for a bizarre marketing campaign. Charles Ramsey heard the screams of a woman from a neighboring home in Cleveland and…
Kristi Rifkin: Pregnant T-Mobile Employee Clocked Out to Use Restroom, HR Nightmare Followed
By Shawna Gillen
A Tennessee woman has become victim of a bizarre employment discrimination case, as she was fired from the T-Mobile corporation for using the bathroom while pregnant. Yes, of all things, the bathroom. Kristi Rifkin, 40, opened up about the…
Dhaka Protests: 22 Killed, Bangladeshi Officials Must Act Quickly
By Shawna Gillen
Twenty-two people have been killed and several injured in violent protests led by Islamists in Bangaladesh’s capital city of Dhaka. Upwards of 70,000 protesters took to the streets and blocked off several main highways, preventing commercial traffic…
Massachusetts Senate Special Election: Ed Markey Off to Strong Start
By Shawna Gillen
The Massachusetts special election is well underway to fill John Kerry’s vacant seat, now that he is President Obama’s new Secretary of State. Democrat Edward Markey faces his Republican counterpart, Gabriel Gomez. The first poll numbers have been…
One World Trade Center is a Major Milestone For American Culture
By Shawna Gillen
The final pieces to a spire that tops One World Trade Center were raised Thursday. Draped in the American flag and accompanied by cheering construction workers, the raising of the pieces not only signified a major progression in the project, but…
May Day Holiday: Why Doesn't the U.S. Celebrate It?
By Shawna Gillen
Today marks May 1, and what may appear as just another typical day in the year for many Americans actually has some major significance. Several countries recognize the day as International Workers' Day or what others have coined as "May Day."…
Dias Kadyrbayev and Azamat Tazhayakov: Did They Help the Boston Bombers?
By Shawna Gillen
Update: According to the Boston Globe, two Kazakh men plus one other now face conspiracy to obstruct justice charges in connection with Boston Marathon bombings. Two of the three men charged, Dias Kadyrbayev, center, and Azamat Tazhayakov, left,…