Freshman Denise Bates, who plans to pursue a double major in English and history, “fell in love” with Northeastern’s co-op program and “awe-inspiring” campus when she toured the campus for the first time, but she struggled internally with how she would regain in New England the community she’d built back home in Arkansas. An eight-hour car ride to an accepted student event in Texas sealed the deal for her.
One of Denise Bates’ favorite books is Matilda, by Roald Dahl. It’s a story about a young girl who doesn’t quite know what to do with her own unique abilities and winds up finding strength in her own power and goodwill.
It seems only fitting that the Northeasten freshman—who has volunteered for years with myriad organizations built around helping and empowering young girls—would identify with Matilda’s story.
“I think we all go through that lack of confidence phase when we’re younger, and reading about this girl who was strong and powerful really resonated with me,” said Bates, SSH’21. “I’ve worked with a lot of kids, but if I see girls especially struggling in ways I have in the past, I want to help.”
