Crystal Stonewall and Cawanna Stonewall

00:00 Is Kawana Stonewall and today's date is June 5th, 2002 thousand and Twenty-One. I was born in the 70s and my daughter.

00:15 The person I'm interviewing is Crystal Stonewall.

00:19 Hi, I'm Crystal and I am a current law student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison law school. I am originally from Chicago. I was born and raised in Chicago and I am 20.

00:36 4 years old.

00:46 Question. Okay, Crystal, so I have a question for you. And the question is, who's the kindest person to you? The kindest person to me?

01:02 I think that you and Dad both were on the kind of people to me. I think that every since I can remember. I'm sure if I can remember the first day, I was born. I was born. I can remember. You are back kind to me and I think that you are always in still strong characteristics and values than me and always love me and show me respect and always nurtured me. And so I would definitely say that you and Dad are at the top of that list for sure.

01:34 Thank you. That sounds good. Can you tell me about a moment that made you really proud of yourself? Yes. So a moment that I'm really proud of is very recently. I was acknowledged by the State Bar, Wisconsin for having the public the public interest law student Award of the Year. And that made me extremely happy because I'm really passionate about the legal system and Justice and so to be acknowledged for my hard work to the public sector, especially by profound legal. Experts, made me very proud.

02:25 Crystal. What would your classmates remember about you?

02:31 I think my classmates would remember me as being very kind and encouraging. I think a lot of people will say that I'm definitely some of their biggest cheerleaders because I like to encourage people and push people to be the best that they can be and be a support system. I think people would definitely say that I'm very smart because I take my academics and academics. Very serious. And I also think they would say that. I'm I just really nice value fashion. And yeah,

03:12 I have a question for you, Mom. So my question is, you were my very first teacher and I think that was such a unique experience. You've been my mom and my teacher and so what bro do you think that had like, how did that impact you bear? My mom and my teacher.

03:31 Do this started way before you thought about you all and I knew I wanted to become a teacher because I wanted you all to be in my classroom. So I wanted to be your first teacher, which man, I want to set the foundation for success and is still successful thoughts in your head is early early on not only as your parent, but I was your teacher. I definitely think like, I was in your class with, for 2 years when I was three, and then when I turn four, and I can definitely acting, like, you've been my mom. And my teacher. Definitely a strong foundation for me and turns of who I am as a person. But also, it was just such a great Dynamic to have you at home. And then I go to work with you. And when I think about a lot of My Success, now that I'm 24, I really attracted a lot of that to be in your preschool class like the different values. You would teach us.

04:31 Play kindness and nurturing and being a good friend and being a good person even to those cool, alphabet songs and how you would make them until I can a hip hop songs. Like that was very impactful for me and that even impact me as I was through Elementary School High School even College because I majored in early childhood education just like you and so I would definitely say that you banned. My mom Bossa. My first teacher impacted me in more ways that you could more ways that I could even explain some

05:08 That is very nice because I'm so flattered.

05:14 So,

05:16 Speaking of you being young. How would you describe a perfect day when you were young, a perfect day. I think a perfect day would be, like you waking up in the morning. Like, in the morning. You will always play a jazz music. And so I think that my siblings and I will know, I can, you play some jazz music. I mean, your cleaning the house which means that we're probably going to like you going to cook a good breakfast and then we're going to like go outside. Have fun outside. Do something fun. Whether that's like going to the Shedd Aquarium or going to the Museum of Science and Industry of spending any time downtown. And then we will come back and probably go out to eat later that night at the family. And it will also be really cool when we were younger. You would buy Us toys. That was something we really like appreciated. And so when I was younger that way,

06:16 Be a perfect day. And now as an adult, I think a perfect day would be just honestly, I think every day is a perfect day since the pandemic out of spend more time here in Chicago with my family and I think like everyday just been surrounded by loved ones and people that really support me and love me has been the perfect day for me.

06:42 So,, what do you think? So like I went away to college. I stayed in Wisconsin for undergrad and law school and I came back because of the pandemic. So, how do you think me like coming back? Like, how how, how was that your coming back? Was it was, it was such a great experience because it gave me time to spend time with you again, the time that I missed when you went away to college and I was able to watch you and observe the woman. You became you haven't,, and I'm so proud. I want you to study for those law exams. I watched you.

07:25 Work very hard to receive those AIDS in law school. So it was just like amazed and just watching you from a child to the to an adult and it was a very wonderful and such a great feeling having you back home. It was like having my best friend and I agree and I definitely think that when I think about just going away to college and law school, I think about like we will talk on the phone, like everyday it multiple times a day. So I definitely appreciate it that they made me feel like I was at home, even though I wasn't physically here in Chicago. And definitely, I will say that

08:12 Like you swell guy like me. Going to wait till a law school and all my law school Success. Like I would definitely want to thank you because for you, you're the reason why I even went to law school. I remember my sophomore year of undergrad in college. I was just talking to you, like, Mom, and I want to higher education, but I'm, I'm her story like what I want to do and you told me to have you ever thought about law school? And I was like, no, I haven't, but I'm going to start thinking about it now and immediately after that, I start doing a lot of legal internships in the summer. And look at me now, like, I'm graduating from Law School in one year and I'm just like why I really started? Because Mom saw something in me. She saw something. So my question is, what did you see in me? Like what made you

09:03 Sing like all. Yeah, being a lawyer or being in the legal system, is something like, what did you see in me? I saw hard work values. I saw.

09:22 Everything is you, you are like perfect. And I'm not saying it because you're my child that I just saw that you had this desire and there's fire in your eyes to learn more to be more to their just so determined. And that's what I admired about you. And I knew that whatever you set your mind to do, you're going to do it. So whether you went to med school or a county or business school, whatever you set, your mind to, you definitely complete that task. And so I knew whatever I put out there, you were going to use going to handle that task and do very well like you did. And I think that's something I really just appreciate about you. And I was like, growing up. You always instilled that in all of us, all of us for kids that we can Excel and whatever we put our mind to.

10:22 I think that that has definitely stuck with me to this day because although times may be challenging. I never give up because that's a character trait that you all and still do you like keep going, keep trying, because if you really want something, you're going to get it. And I definitely appreciate that so much. And when I yeah, like I just think about like my journey, like even started in high school and how you all put me in internships in high school. And at the time, like, I definitely valued education, but I really didn't understand, like, oh, why am I internships in high school? Because it didn't seem like many people are doing that. But I remember you knowing that, like, I wanted scholarships to go to college and you, and Dad will make sure that every summer, I had an internship. I worked an internship. All of high school writing for like a Chicago magazine.

11:22 I even enjoy different boards. At Chicago weather was Chicago, public schools, are Chicago Public Library. And I think about at the time, I may have not really understood the value of that. But now, as I'm becoming older, I realize that you all definitely had or you and Dad have my best interests at heart. Knowing that being in these, that being in those internships over on those certain board, said, the foundation, for who I am today, like me, like, I remember, you showed me aboard to be on Chicago, Public Schools, CEO board. And I was a junior in high school and I was like, oh, that's seems cool because you knew I was interested in education. I was like, oh, that's a cool board. I'll be working with the CEO of Chicago Public Schools. I'll be working with other students throughout the city and I'll be able to bring change to a school system that I am a product of. And so when I joined that Council, that was

12:22 And I was a junior high school. So maybe like, seven eight years ago. I can't not the map on top of my head, but not that long ago. And look at me now. Like I was able to join different boards and college different education boards in college different, dean of student boards in college. And I just realized that you really did see something in me that I may not have been able to see myself. And I, that's what I feel. Like you are, the ideal parent. Like, the ideal parent is the parent who push their child, who love their child, who nurtures, their child, who plants the sea and their child, cuz you definitely plan it so many seats at me and Sparks. So many of my interest, even Beyond academics. Like, I remember growing up, I used to love fashion, right? And you will sit and watch Project Runway with me and you will buy me like Project Runway, sketchbooks. And I was just draw fashion designs in like 6 7th and 8th grade. You will buy me some

13:22 Machines, and so it's like you always.

13:27 Watered every plant that you

13:32 That you like, put Amy and I totally appreciate that because I really think you are the perfect parent out there.

13:41 That makes me feel so good. Try not to cry. Thank you. I love you, too.

13:56 So,

14:02 What do you think your life would be like when you get older, like, I'm five years. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I definitely see myself.

14:22 Same beef.

14:25 It's like the fruits of my labor and so, I felt like all of my life. I've worked so hard to know finish school and I feel like I will finally be done with school next year. And so, I will be able to be a part of the workforce, give back to the community and Margie ways that I've have been doing currently. I see myself being an attorney and definitely attorney for the public interest and representing the voice of the voiceless, the voice of the disenfranchised. I see myself, gave him back to the city of Chicago, because that's what I am a product of. I grew up here. I went to school with you, my also see myself.

15:14 You know, just continue to be making my family. Proud continue to be a good daughter, sister friend, co-worker. So that's someone's, where I see myself.

15:32 So, I have a question for you, Mom.

15:41 So, what is?

15:43 Some like funny moments you crew members of me. Grin. We're now like what are some? Oh, yeah. Yeah. And you were talking to them the same way. I would talk to you and I just remember specifically Angel and I said, I can't wait until we go home and you going to get straight A's and when you come back from home, Imma have some toys on your bed for you. I thought that was so hilarious because that's something I did. I rewarded you off for getting good grades. And yes, I remember that cuz I have that on your video like and I remember like when we look at family, that's also what I love that you and Dad did this record videos of us because

16:43 The videos just help us remember different parts of our childhood is growing up that we didn't remember and I definitely remember that clip of where and I was like, yeah, I was talk to my toys like you said and I was like, yeah when you when I get home, I'm going to buy my kids which were my toys on toys for getting good grades. And so that's definitely show. Like how much of an impact you have on me, is that that is I wanted to be just like you and and the future even now I want to be like you I mean I even try to dress like you is it a, you know, that I really want to be like you and so when I think of just the ideal woman that ideal parent that I do teacher, that idea workers that I think of you and I really am happy that I have such a good role model to model my life after after. And so I'm so appreciative for that.

17:44 Thank you. Actually, I admire you as well and I look up to you just because you're never too old to learn and it's really weird but a lot of times parents also learn things from their their children and I've learned some different things from you. I learned how to be a little more ambitious because you're ambitious. So you told me to be a little boys members I have ambition, but you taught me more so you taught your teaching me what I told you because as a parent sometimes you invest in your children, you kind of forget who you are, but you remind me of who I am. And I want to thank you for that. That's nice. I want ya like I I really do like, as I'm older appreciate our relationship like more and more everyday because it's like

18:37 I'm not used to do and even is being home for this. Pandemic has. I feel like we were already closed, but it made us even closer. And so like,

18:48 For that like I love you for like a million reasons. I can list them all day.

18:56 I can see, like,

18:58 From me.

19:00 One of the proudest moments was when you became valedictorian your 8th grade class and you went on to become valedictorian of your high school class. Then you went on to become. I received the highest honor at your university University of Wisconsin-Madison. And now, you're still getting those same grades are such a phenomenal job. I'm just so proud of all of your accomplishments and you're doing a very great job. You are wonderful, young lady. I'm so proud of who you are and

19:40 I'm just proud of everything. Thank you, Mom.