Daily Press

A CNU senior continues her mother's legacy while striving to counter discrimination at the university.

Molly Buckley is an honor student at Christopher Newport University, a comedian and a social activist.

The 21-year-old senior from Northern Virginia also took the helm of the Student Government Association last fall to continue a five-year effort to encourage CNU's Board of Visitors to add sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination policy.

Leadership runs in the family. Her mother, Vietnam veteran Lynda Van Devanter, was a nationally recognized female veterans advocate until her death in 2002.

Q: Did you anticipate the Board of Visitors in February would approve adding sexual orientation to CNU's nondiscrimination policy?

A: I had a feeling, but I did not expect it to be unanimous. That was a complete surprise.

Q: Did any other of the 14 board members -- besides Jane Susan Frank and Mary Elizabeth Hoinkes, who publicly endorsed the change -- give you an idea as to what their thoughts were going into the vote?

A: I know Thaddeus Holloman said that he was really impressed with our demeanor, our professionalism. And he just said that there was really no way he could not support it. I know Flora Crittenden as well was a big supporter, and she said that she had our back the whole time, which is really nice to hear.

Q: Your mom was nationally recognized in fighting for the rights of Vietnam veterans as you were growing up. That exposed you to some famous people.

A: Obviously she was at the groundbreaking of the (Vietnam Veterans Memorial) Wall before I was born, but at the groundbreaking of the (Vietnam) Women's Memorial, she was there, and I went with her. Colin Powell was there, and they were shaking hands like they were friends. He had called my house a couple times. She really lobbied Congress a lot, so she was friends with a lot of senators.

Q: What do you remember about your mom outside of the public spotlight?

A: She was the strongest, just the most dedicated woman, mother I could have ever had. If I turn out to be half the person she was, I will really accomplish a lot. She always said her greatest accomplishment was me.

Q: How old were you when she died?

A: I was 17. It was November of my senior year of high school, November 2002.

Q: How would you describe the legacy that your mom left you, particularly in regards to the sexual orientation issue at CNU?

A: I think determination. Back in November when I first stood in front of the (CNU) Board of Visitors and I gave that speech, I remember standing there thinking, "Oh my God, I'm my mother's daughter." It's a good thing to admit. And that's actually one of the things that helped me to get through this. I prayed about it a lot, and I really prayed to her about it a lot. And I said, "Whatever you're doing up there, help me out a little bit. I know you're dictating everything up there," 'cause she always had to be in control.

Q: So sketch comedy is what you want to do after you graduate? Are you planning to move to California?

A: Actually New York City. I took a class over the winter break at the Upright Citizens Brigade theater in New York City. I took an improv class and fell in love with it. And so I actually applied to study at the Second City, the New York branch. And I got in, so I'll be taking ... four courses for three weeks in improv and sketch comedy. So I'll be moving up there probably at the end of July. *

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