On the 25th of July 1987 Boitumelo Arabella McCallum, affectionately known as "Tumi," was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her name, Boitumelo, which means happiness, epitomizes the way she lived her life and the way she made those who were acquainted with her feel.
Posts published in “Opinions”
Opinion pieces, columns, and staff editorials
Welcome back Mills! The fall semester of 2007 brings a whole new class of women and so many other dramatic and complex changes to campus. None of us can fail to notice the stark nothingness where the heavily-debated Eucalyptus trees once stood. Equally eye-catching is the beautiful, new Natural Sciences Building that had been under construction for the previous year.
The tragically brief and shining life of Tumi McCallum reflected the best of what a young woman can be. When she was killed this past month, the victim of deplorable violence, our shocked and deeply saddened community began the process of mourning all that Tumi was and could have been if she had continued her life of exceptional achievement as an impassioned human rights advocate.
The tragic death of Tumi McCallum is a terrible shock to us all. I knew Tumi as a sweet, gentle young woman, and a passionate fighter for justice who had committed her life to building a better world. Tumi's early experiences as a young girl growing up in South Africa during apartheid and the transition to multiracial democracy greatly shaped her life and her commitment to racial justice.
Paula Tejeda objects to cutting down the eucalyptus trees.
Mills alum from the class of 1991 relates her experiences at Virginia Tech.
Senior Amy Curran responds to the anonymous letter that was printed in the last issue of The Weekly.