Member Spotlight: Anita Gundanna

Let's start with a brief bio: where you're from, when did you come to the area, what you do, that kind of stuff...

I grew up in Matawan, NJ in Monmouth County. Went to college at Duke University, and then headed to NYC where I spent a good part of 17 years or so before moving to South Orange. In terms of my professional bio, take a look here: http://cacf.org/home/who-we-are/staff/anita-gundanna/

What made you decide to get involved with SOMA Action?

I was fortunate to be living in SOMA in 2017. A neighbor told me about a meeting taking place around a dining room table with some folks in the community who wanted to engage in activism to oppose theTrump administration. I was in, and grateful I went to what was the second or third meeting of SOMA Action. From the start, I wanted to work specifically to address immigrant rights, and the work began almost immediately.

Tell us about the main focus of your work with our organization.

I started work on immigrant rights and continue that work to this day. Although we wish this wasn't necessary, we're proud of the work we've done to organize the community around critical issues such as: developing a strong Sanctuary City policy, sharing "Know Your Rights" information with immigrant communities in our towns and with our neighbors, and fighting to Abolish ICE and sunset the Essex County Correctional Facilities' contract to detain immigrants.

Have you been involved in social/political activism prior to SOMA Action? If so, tell us about it.

I've been an advocate and activist for many years. During college I was involved in the fight to address and end gender-based violence and sexual assault, especially on college campuses. And in New York City, I became involved in advocacy to fight against the anti-immigrant and Islamaphobic policies post 9-11. That work continues to this day, and I'm glad to be able to continue some of that here in SOMA.

We're living through dark times. What keeps you going? What gives you hope for the future?

I focus on people and communities right now. I believe in the power of community, as well as the local fights we are engaging in.

What’s an embarrassing fact about you that isn’t too embarrassing to share here? 

I can't stay awake during movies. I pretty much fall asleep as soon as the movie starts and wake up during the ending credits. My husband still holds it over me that I can't remember even one movie we watched on a date.