Mya Dale, 1990–2012
We lost one of our beautiful young ones two days ago. Mya Dale died Wednesday morning, June 20. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, classmates, and all she touched in our community.
Mya, an economics major at University of Alaska Anchorage, was widely involved in Anchorage’s LGBTQIA community. She was an active member of UAA’s LGBTQIA student club The Family and volunteered at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage and the One Anchorage campaign for the Anchorage Equal Rights Initiative. She lent her face to Identity’s “This is My Identity” campaign, and in 2011 she was one of five recipients of Alaska Pride’s 2011 Young Adult Recognition Award.
Comments posted on Bent Alaska’s Facebook wall since we posted the initial news yesterday attest to Mya’s effect on people, even those who only met her once or twice. Members of UAA’s The Family will hold an informal gathering on Saturday in remembrance of Mya, meeting on the UAA campus and then traveling to Shannon’s home in the Mat-Su Valley:
- Date/time: Saturday, June 23, 3:30–6:30 PM
- Location: The Den, bottom floor UAA Student Union, University of Alaska Anchorage, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage (see map)
- Further info: see Facebook events page or contact Shannon at (907) 315-4561 or lovingradiancess@gmail.com.
Bent Alaska will post with information about other services or remembrances of Mya as information becomes available.
Statement from Identity
Identity’s Board of Directors issued the following statement yesterday:
Dear All,
Today we announce the passing of Mya Dale, a dedicated member of our community.
Mya was a volunteer at the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage, recipient of the 2011 Young Adult Recognition Award, one of the faces of the “This is My Identity” campaign, volunteer for the One Anchorage campaign, and active in The Family Club at UAA.
She was a bright light in the community and we extend our condolences to all those in grieving, especially Mya’s family and friends.
Information on services and other memorials for Mya will be made available when finalized.
For those in need of assistance in coping with her passing, please call the immediate assistance Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255.
Board of Identity
Statement from University of Alaska Anchorage
UAA Chancellor Tom Case issued this statement to the UAA community late Wednesday night:
Tags: Alaska Pride Young Adult Recognition Award, Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Anchorage (GLCCA), Identity, Inc., Inc., Mya Dale, One Anchorage, The Family at UAA, University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)Dear UAA community,
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of UAA student Mya Dale, who died Wednesday, June 20, 2012.
Mya attended UAA as a full-time student at the Anchorage campus since fall 2009 and was pursuing a bachelor of arts degree in economics with a minor in political science. Mya participated in UAA’s LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex and Ally) student club, The Family, the National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) diversity team, the UAA Hip Hop Club, and AHAINA student programs.
Director of the Office of Campus Diversity & Compliance Marva Watson commented, “Mya Dale was full of life. She radiated excellence. People around her could feel compassion through her words and genuine smile. Mya cared deeply about the campus community and her leadership was paving the way to make a difference for individual voices to be heard. She was a strong ally and friend of the UAA NCBI diversity team, working to build inclusion and reduce prejudice. All in all, she was an extremely courageous person on a journey to ensure that people are treated with respect and dignity. I’m deeply grateful and will miss Mya’s spirit, integrity and all the ways in which she was a special individual.”
Ms. Watson also commented, “Whenever, you need reflection or inspiration, listen to Mya Dale’s recital of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s, Nobel prize acceptance, as her voice spoke loudly during UAA’s 2012 celebration of Alaska Civil Rights Month.” A podcast of Mya’s recital is online:
Lexi Prunella, Faculty Advisor for The Family, said that, “Mya was a pivotal individual in our student LGBTQIA community at UAA. As an advocate for the disenfranchised, she brought more awareness, empathy, and knowledge to the Anchorage community as a whole. She was a genuine nurturing and passionate person – anyone who was lucky enough meet her could palpably feel her authenticity and energy. Our Family will greatly miss her welcoming spirit.”
Social Work Adjunct Instructor Kaela Parks stated, “Mya was a student in one of my courses. She was an active and vibrant participant within our discussions. Her contributions made it clear that she really valued diversity. She sought additional resources to better understand the experiences of others, checking out many titles from the Disability Lending Library, and eventually ended up working for the department as an aide to support equal access for her peers. It was a pleasure knowing her. She will be missed.”
Mya’s death is a great loss, which affects our entire UAA family. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family, friends, classmates, and those most closely affected by Mya’s passing.
During difficult times like this the University has programs and resources available for students and employees. We would like to share phone numbers for several resources.
For Students:
UAA Student Health and Counseling Center: 786-4040
UAA Psychological Services Center: 786-1795
UAA Student Development Counseling Services: 786-6158For Employees:
ComPsych Employee Assistance Program: (866) 465-8934 (company #GC5901Q)
Sincerely,
Tom Case
Chancellor
13 Comments »
2 Pingbacks »
-
[...] http://www.bentalaska.com/2012/06/mya-dale-1990-2012/ Like this:LikeBe the first to like this. Leave a comment [...]
-
[...] yes — is that from 9:18 AM to 12:00 midnight last Friday, June 22, there were 2,002 views of Bent Alaska’s post about her death — making it, in the space of hours, the 6th most viewed post on Bent Alaska since we moved it [...]
Leave a comment!
This is heartbreaking. Mya-you were loved so dearly and will always be. We’ll miss you!
Mya was also very involved in her High School GSA, and helped greatly in putting on and attending the last several Pride Proms.
How did she pass?
Amechia, it was suicide. I will write more about this later.
My family and I became aware of Mya’s untimely death last night. Her passing is so confusing and unsettling. Such a vibrant individual, gone so qucikly.
I was her soccer coach when she was younger and we shared our home and family meals with Mya and her Mom on many occassions, Thanksgiving included. She trained with so much energy as a goalkeeper and learned quickly. Mya even became a soccer referee for a short time, requiring her to make on the spot decisions and stand firm. She was always a thankful person to those who genuinely cared for and understood her.
Although we lost touch for a few years, her bright, wide smile and inquisitive nature will always be clear in my mind. I will value knowing this brave, young woman and miss those future opportunities to reconnect.
Bless you, Mya. May your star continue to burn brightly.
The Curran Family
Mya, you were my friend. I remember and we used to talk about Beyoncé while decorating my wall in the Halls, here in the student housing. Just know, that I love you and you will always be remembered. Rest In Peace
This beautiful woman taught many of us not to be afraid to speak up, to ask questions, and most of all: be ourselves. I love you Mya Dale. Thank you for everything you brought to this world and to my life in the little time I’ve known you. I will miss laughing and joking with you, the times we all spent together in Muller’s, your pointed questions to our professors ;), and your big smile. RIP hunny.
I just found out via my ex what happened. Mia was a sweet woman and a friend to all. Mia and I were both students at East and I remember every time I’d run into her we would just chat as if we were friends for years. She was a very active member of the East GSA as well as the Anime club and other activities. We all will miss you Mia, and will keep you in our hearts.
Mya, you are a beautiful shinning light and you will be missed.
Rest in peace Mya Dale. Many of the activities that Mya conducted at the University this past year broke the mold; and were monumental towards the fight for LGBTQIA rights and a better understanding of diversity within the community. She and I saw eye to eye on many issues. Mya, took the initiative to create democratic environments, where the discussion of taboo yet relevant topics within society were addressed. Her activism, and revolutionary spirit will not be forgotten nor will the underlying issues that she cared so deeply about continue to go on ignored. Her trail blazing spirit can be felt within the halls of the University.
RIP Mya.
I will not take suicide as an answer, she was at my house the night before. We talk about the run on Saturday,and Tank being on my bed. She smiled she was happy and making planning for next weekend. We miss you Girl MJ only you and April would think that was funny.
Friends, thank you for the pictures that were posted. Some of them are of a Mya I know, others of one I may not have. I thought I knew her well and I have painful reqrets. If you knew her as I did you would have always wanted to hug her whenever you could because she wanted ACCEPTANCE and love more than anything and so often she thought mostly the opposite of that was out there. She fought very hard for the right to be treated with respect, fairness and equality for herself and others. Bias, inequality and meaness troubled her deeply. She yet looked physical and mental challenges in the face, as frightening and saddening as they could be, and had the nerve to challenge the stereotypes and stigmas in the LGBT community and society at large. I am beginning to hear her messages more clearly now. Treat people the same. Treat them with tenderness and attention. Acknowledge everyone who enters a room. Keep acknowledging them. Don’t leave them sitting alone and don’t shut them down when the try to speak up. They are doing all they can to live and often just living is so painful and frightening. Our challenge from Mya is to help everyone we meet feel SAFE and ACCEPTED UNCONDITIONALLY every chance we get. Leave no one behind
I met Mya and if you can here this I would have to say boy was I lucky. You won’t be forgotten, your energy is amazing and I’m sure your smiling wherever you are.