Rahwa Hailemariam

Rahwa Hailemariam is a senior student journalist at Western Washington University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Political Science and International studies. She has worked as both a reporter and editor at The Western Front and at Klipsun magazine as a reporter. She hosted Western Window a show by students at Western.
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Boats bring school to Bangladesh families hit by regular flooding

by Rahwa Hailemariam
Many families in Bangladesh lose access to school due to flooding by annual monsoons. So Abul Hasanat Mohammed Rezwan designed boats to bring schools to children stranded at home.
Nov 28, 2018

The wait for citizenship

by Rahwa Hailemariam
Thousands applying for U.S. citizenship at the Seattle office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services are in limbo more than a year after filing their naturalization forms.
Oct 8, 2018
Fourteen year Wal-Mart employee Mary Watkins (right) marches in support of a $15 minimum wage in Seattle. (Photo by Reagan Jackson)

Seattle’s notable moments in labor history

by Rahwa Hailemariam
Seattle has had its share of notable moments in labor history. Here are just a few, in no particular order.
Sep 3, 2018

Seattle Ethiopians and Eritreans react to their home countries’ new peace

by Rahwa Hailemariam
Ethiopians and Eritreans who are now living in Seattle are happy to see the end of the 20-year cold war that separated families and friends. But while some people have a wait-and-see reaction to the peace agreement, others are ready to celebrate.
Aug 31, 2018

Marchers call for social change at commemorative MLK march

by Rahwa Hailemariam
Speakers connected the local affirmative action push with the Civil Rights struggle on the anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a dream" speech.
Aug 28, 2018

Carmen Best sworn in as Seattle police chief

by Rahwa Hailemariam
Carmen Best, a 26-year veteran of the Seattle Police Department, becomes the first African American woman to lead the department since it was founded 149 years ago.
Aug 22, 2018

Affirmative action supporters to launch campaign at MLK anniversary march

by Rahwa Hailemariam
Local civil rights activists will gather signatures to re-establish affirmative action in Washington state at an event commemorating the historic march where Martin Luther King delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech.
Aug 15, 2018

Seattle preps for census, says citizenship question could intimidate immigrants

by Rahwa Hailemariam
The Department of Commerce, which runs the Census, announced plans to include a new question asking respondents about their citizenship status. Critics, including Seattle and King County officials, say that could suppress participation in communities of color.
Aug 9, 2018