From Insignificant to Greatness: Making Catherine the Great
The setting is July 1762: her husband, Peter III was not only about to die, but was about to have a coup against him….by none other than his own wife. Catherine, born a German and getting through the motions of the Romanov court, had found herself suffocated by her husband’s alienation of the Russian nobility, military, and Orthodox Church. This committee will follow issues such as Gendered power, Court espionage, military influence, foreign policy, and succession and the subsequent stabilization of Russia. Overall, we are looking for delegates who are able to identify the gender issues of this topic. This being female empowerment, and “girls sticking together” while also keeping things fun and away from toxicity like for example toxic and overused court gossip.
Please note that this committee is for women and gender non-conforming delegates.
Penda Diop
Chair
Penda is a second-year student from St. Louis, a chemistry major, and is planning to pursue product development. Last year, she was an admin exec for MUNUC, UChicago’s high school conference, and a frontroom AC for ChoMUN.
Outside of her studies, Penda is a part of MUNUC, as well as the Muslim Student Association. Aside from this, She enjoys watching reality TV, crocheting and would like to pick up pottery again. She hopes to be able to make this upcoming CHOMUN conference the best one yet, and can’t wait to be your chair!
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Penda at pdiop@uchicago.edu
Daniela Santillan-Enriquez
Crisis Director
Dani(ela) is a fourth year at the College majoring in Religious Studies. Born in Texas, but raised in Mexico, Dani is all about that border life. Dani has previously served both as an Assistant Chair and Crisis Director for ChoMUN. Most recently, Dani was a Crisis Director for Mom, I’m in Love With an Alien: CSICOP at ChoMUN XXVII.
Outside of it, Dani participates in MUNUC, our high school conference, where she acted as an Under Secretary-General. Besides her involvement in the MUNiverse, you can find Dani working on her small business, painting (watercolor is her one true love), and reading apocryphal gospels. Formerly a chemistry major and lab rat, most of her time is spent rebranding into the true religious studies archetype.
Dani is excited to be your Crisis Director for ChoMUN XXIX! If you have any questions, please reach out at dsantillane@uchicago.edu.
Abby Langer
CRISIS DIRECTOR
Abby is a third-year majoring in Law, Letters, and Society and Global Studies. She’s from Indianapolis, Indiana, which is like Chicago but a lot smaller, and she loves to eat popcorn and think about the corn fields she left behind. Abby was a Crisis Assistant and then Crisis Director at MUNUC, leading the Coney Island Committee for high schoolers who love flammable objects like wooden roller coasters.
Outside of MUN, Abby also spends her time practicing how to be funny with UChicago’s Improv and Sketch club Off-Off Campus and works with the Pozen Center for Human Rights. She enjoys biking, rating Chicago coffee shops, and playing Geometry Dash (the best mobile game).
Abby can’t wait to be a Crisis Director at ChoMUN and is looking forward to observing how committee unfolds! If you have any questions, please reach out to Abby at alanger1@uchicago.edu.
Secretariat oversight:
Zoe Zhu, Under-secretary-general