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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist

(she/her/hers)

Email: alena-pronina@uiowa.edu

Ally Pronina is an opinions columnist at The Daily Iowan. She is going into her fourth semester working at the DI and is a junior majoring in psychology and journalism. She loves political commentary, taking a stance on social issues, telling the stories of ordinary people, and somehow finding a way to talk about mental health in every single one of her pieces.

All content by Ally Pronina
Senior Column | The Daily Iowan is the newsroom that built me

Senior Column | The Daily Iowan is the newsroom that built me

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
December 14, 2021
iStock

Opinion | Take care of your mental health during the holidays

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
December 6, 2021
Opinion | The story behind Christmas fills me with hope for the holidays

Opinion | The story behind Christmas fills me with hope for the holidays

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
December 2, 2021
A protester holds a sign at a protest against former Vice President Mike Pence in the IMU at the University of Iowa Monday, Oct. 11, 2021.

Opinion | UI students’ protest of Pence was not constructive

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 17, 2021
A protester speaks over a microphone during a protest against a military coup in Sudan on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021. Around 100 people came and showed their support after the first protest earlier that week.

Opinion | Iowa City protesters should fight for Sudanese freedom

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 10, 2021
A reporter takes notes on Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021.

Opinion | Journalists need to show kindness when reporting on traumatic events

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 1, 2021
Opinion | Down Syndrome Awareness Month deserves more recognition

Opinion | Down Syndrome Awareness Month deserves more recognition

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 27, 2021
Pro-life demonstrators pray outside of the Emma Goldman Clinic on Thursday, Sept.9,.2021.

Opinion | Clarifying the pro-life stance

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 22, 2021
Asian nurse taking care of mature male patient sitting on wheelchair in hospital. Young woman and old man wearing surgical face mask for protection of The COVID pandemic. Girl talking to elderly man.

Opinion | Service jobs teach college students valuable lessons

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 13, 2021
Ally Pronina

Opinion | Disabilities do not prevent successful and normal college experiences

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 6, 2021
The Iowa marching band performs during halftime of a football game between Iowa and Kent State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Golden Flashes with a score of 30-7. (Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Opinion | The Hawkeye marching band deserves more recognition

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
September 30, 2021
Different groups of people come forth about mental struggles and barrier to treatment

Different groups of people come forth about mental struggles and barrier to treatment

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
September 28, 2021
Concept of GRE Exam in wooden block letters on table.

Opinion | Psychology graduate programs shouldn’t require the GREs

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
September 14, 2021
Wild Bill’s Workshop is seen on Aug. 23, 2021 on North Hall at the University of Iowa. (Grace Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Opinion | Wild Bill’s workshop should have tried to remain a coffee shop

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
August 23, 2021
Opinion | Doing college from home taught me the importance of family and staying true to your values

Opinion | Doing college from home taught me the importance of family and staying true to your values

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
August 4, 2021
The Active Minds at University of Iowa Counseling Services hosts the Field of Memories in the Pentacrest on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2015. Students are asked to sign each flag, which represent the number of students who kill themselves each year, with an encouraging message to show that they care.

Opinion | What the UI can do to prevent suicide as we transition to pre-pandemic campus life

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
July 28, 2021
Opinion | We need Disability Pride Month

Opinion | We need Disability Pride Month

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
July 18, 2021
Young military man talking to healthcare worker who is visiting him at home.

Opinion | Recent mental health acts are the non-partisan reform veterans need and deserve

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
July 12, 2021
Close-up Of Male Soldier In Military Uniform Holding Wooden Cubes With PTSD Text

Opinion | UI and Iowa City should better address PTSD Awareness Day

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
June 27, 2021
Ally Pronina

Opinion | Cochlear implants are a personal decision

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
June 23, 2021
Anti-mask protesters stand in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol building before the opening of the 2021 legislative session on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Despite Gov. Kim Reynold’s emergency proclamation mandating masks worn when social distancing indoors is not possible, house republicans made the announcement last week that masks would not be required during the session.

Opinion | It’s up to all of us to increase political freedom of speech on campus

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
June 14, 2021
Opinion | Take care of yourself during finals week

Opinion | Take care of yourself during finals week

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
May 4, 2021
Guns are displayed at Scheels in Coralville on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.

Opinion | Mental illness treatment must be part of conversation to reduce gun deaths

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
April 22, 2021
Dealing with infertility as a college student

Dealing with infertility as a college student

Ally Pronina, Opinions Writer
April 20, 2021
Ally Pronina

Opinion | How Turner syndrome inspired me to join the DI’s DEI Committee

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
April 18, 2021
Opinion | The UI and Iowa City need to recognize Autism Acceptance Month

Opinion | The UI and Iowa City need to recognize Autism Acceptance Month

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
April 12, 2021
University of Iowa's student Disability Services Office is seen on September 3, 2020.

Opinion | UI needs to be more accessible to students with physical disabilities

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
March 24, 2021
Contributed.

Opinion | Helping victims of dangerous crimes should be a legal obligation

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
March 17, 2021
Dance marathon Morale Captains dance alone in the Iowa Memorial Union on Saturday, February 27th, 2021. Due to the pandemic, the annual charity event which normally packs the entire building, has been converted to a digital live stream leaving the Iowa Memorial Union nearly empty.

Opinion | Don’t stop fighting For The Kids

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
March 11, 2021
UI students given first round of vaccinations on Thursday, Jan 28, 2021. Syringes wait to be used. Each has the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine in it.

Opinion | COVID-19 increases the need for, not prevents, scientific research

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
March 5, 2021
The University Counseling Services office is seen in the Old Capital Mall on Monday, February 17, 2020.

Opinion | University grief resources are essential — the pandemic means we need them even more

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
February 25, 2021
UI graduate instructors John Jespen (Department of History) and Kassie Baron (Department of English), and associate professor Megan Knight (Department of Rhetoric) discuss why they will only teach online classes in the upcoming semester during a press conference over Zoom on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. They say returning to campus is a health risk for students and faculty, as well as members of the community.

Opinion | Professors should offer alternatives to required attendance

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
February 18, 2021
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst R-IA speaks at the republican watch party at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020. Republicans from across the state have gathered to watch the results of the 2020 General Election.

Opinion | Iowa Republicans must unite in supporting Inhofe’s new anti-abortion bill

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
February 15, 2021
Ryan Adams/ Photo Illustration

Opinion | Alcohol use disorder needs to be addressed better by the UI

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
February 8, 2021
Photo of Ally Pronina.

Opinion | A cure will do the opposite of benefiting me

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
February 4, 2021
Opinion | The transferred patients shouldn’t return until Glenwood implements reform

Opinion | The transferred patients shouldn’t return until Glenwood implements reform

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
February 2, 2021
Opinion | Iowa City schools calendar must accommodate Islamic holidays

Opinion | Iowa City schools calendar must accommodate Islamic holidays

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
January 27, 2021
Jan 6, 2021; Washington, DC, USA; Trump rioters storm the U.S. Capitol Wednesday afternoon as lawmakers inside debated the certification of the presidential election. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Habraken-USA TODAY

Opinion | Conservatives must condemn capitol riot

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
January 24, 2021
Iowa City Police Department vehicles are seen on July 9, 2019.

Opinion | Mental health workers must respond with, not instead of, police officers

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
December 9, 2020
Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden speaks during a Biden drive-in rally on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. Around 200 cars parked on the grounds and a few people gathered at the front as Biden commented on a change in the presidency and promised to address issues with public health due to the Coronavirus.

Opinion | Biden must prove himself an ally for people with disabilities

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
December 8, 2020
The Ped Mall is seen on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Downtown was quiet during the first weekend after spring break as classes have been moved online and the bars closed due to coronavirus.

Opinion | Focus on the town, not the nation

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
December 2, 2020
A University of Iowa Cambus, at the intersection of West Iowa Avenue and South Riverside Drive on Nov. 18, has a wave decal on top of the bus to wave to kids when it drives by Stead Family’s Children Hospital.

Opinion | It’s important not to lose the light in the dark

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 30, 2020
Photo Illustration by Ryan Adams

Opinion | I am a student against student debt forgiveness

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 29, 2020
Opinion | Keep the threats to yourself

Opinion | Keep the threats to yourself

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 19, 2020
Local Republicans socialize while watching the Fox News election coverage at the Joni Ernst Republican watch party at the Des Moins Marriott Downtown on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2020 . Republicans from across the state have gathered to watch the results of the 2020 General Election.

Opinion | Republicans must keep fighting and unite against Biden-Harris

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 18, 2020
Police officers walk past as National Guard members monitor activity surrounding Philadelphia City Hall on October 30, 2020 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In response to widespread unrest in the aftermath of Walter Wallace Jr.'s death, the National Guard arrived this afternoon to various locations throughout the city. The 27-year-old Walter Wallace Jr, a father of nine children, who Philadelphia police officers claimed was armed with a knife, was fatally shot by at least 14 total rounds.

Opinion | Mental health isn’t political

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 9, 2020
Waiting and voting. As seen on Nov. 3, 2020. at the Wilton Community Center 1215 Cypress St.

Opinion | Take a break

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 4, 2020
Photo of a disposable mask.

Opinion | An undiscussed symptom of the pandemic

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
November 2, 2020
Opinion | Down syndrome isn't a death sentence

Opinion | Down syndrome isn’t a death sentence

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 28, 2020
The Old Capitol is seen on Thursday, March 12, 2020.

Opinion | Diversity deserves celebration

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 20, 2020
Mercy Hospital is seen in Iowa City on Monday, September 15th, 2020. (Tate Hildyard/ The Daily Iowan)

Opinion | Mercy Hospital’s inpatient closure will harm the most vulnerable Iowans

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 12, 2020
Hands of praying young man and Bible on a wooden table.

Opinion | Come together in thanks during COVID-19

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 5, 2020
iStock

Opinion | Disabilities don’t stop travel

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
October 1, 2020
Two pedestrians walk downtown on Saturday, April 4, 2020. Downtown was quiet during the first weekend after spring break as classes have been moved online and the bars closed due to coronavirus.

Opinion | Outdoor activities are essential during the pandemic

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
September 21, 2020
Fans wave after the first quarter during the Iowa football game against Miami (Ohio) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, August 31, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Redhawks 38-14.

Opinion | Cancer awareness needs more attention

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
September 10, 2020
Opinion | Bodyshaming is more than just cruel words

Opinion | Bodyshaming is more than just cruel words

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
August 30, 2020
University of Iowa Director of Orientation Services, Tina Arthur in front of Burge Residence Hall on Monday, August 17th, 2020. The university is currently attempting to adjust their housing and orientation plans around the Coronavirus pandemic to maintain health and safety.

Opinion | Isolation dorms need to change

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
August 26, 2020
UI Student Life employee and incoming senior, Lucas DeWitt, hands out protective equipment kits on Monday, Aug. 10, 2020 in the parking lot of Hancher Auditorium. This was the first day that students living off campus could pick up their protective equipment kit provided by the university. Until the day before classes start, students will be able to pick up their PE kits in various locations on campus.

Opinion | Physical impairments do not determine death

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
August 24, 2020
Kobe Boyce of Lake Dallas High School poses for photos with his parents David Boyce and Mary Flowers Boyce after signing his letter of intent to play football at the University of Texas during signing day at Lake Dallas High School on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. (Vernon Bryant/Dallas Morning News)

Opinion | It’s okay to not be okay

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
August 3, 2020
Rally attendees hold signs and listen to speakers on the Pentacrest on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. UI Students for Disability Advocacy & Awareness organized this rally to speak about the injustice that students with disabilities face on campus.

Opinion | Disability Pride means recognizing that disability is not inability

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
July 28, 2020
iStock

Opinion | Facial deformities don’t define a person

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
July 15, 2020
Danforth Chapel is seen on April 19, 2019. Built in 1952, the center is open for students 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday for students.

Opinion | Keep faith in troubled times

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
June 30, 2020
Close up of hands in to gossip gesture, in the background blurred image of three people.

Opinion | The University of Iowa must continue to improve the ASL program

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
June 29, 2020
Opinion: The value and person behind the writing

Opinion: The value and person behind the writing

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
May 14, 2020
Opinion: Make a change this Mental Health Awareness Month

Opinion: Make a change this Mental Health Awareness Month

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
April 30, 2020
Opinion: How to protect your mental health in quarantine

Opinion: How to protect your mental health in quarantine

Ally Pronina, Opinions Columnist
April 24, 2020
Opinion: People with disabilities don’t need eugenics to improve

Opinion: People with disabilities don’t need eugenics to improve

Ally Pronina, Columnist
March 9, 2020
Opinion: Those struggling with eating disorders deserve more support

Opinion: Those struggling with eating disorders deserve more support

Ally Pronina, Columnist
March 4, 2020
U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi speaks during a rally against child poverty on April 9, 2017, in Los Angeles, Calif.

Opinion: How our politicians talk to each other matters

Ally Pronina, Columnist
February 16, 2020
The Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine is seen on Monday, November 18, 2019.

Opinion: Here’s what the media can do a lot to portray mental illness better

Ally Pronina, Columnist
February 13, 2020
The Psychological and Brain Sciences building is seen on Friday, January 24, 2020.

Opinion: Understanding the link between physical and mental health

Ally Pronina, Columnist
February 4, 2020
Seashore Hall is pictured on a rainy day on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017. The Iowa Board of Regents approved plans to build a $33.5 million facility at the corner of Gilbert St. and Iowa Ave., but the higher than average construction costs are continuously delaying efforts.

Opinion: Science communication lacks much-needed clarity, but it can be improved

Ally Pronina, Columnist
January 31, 2020
Opinion: The straw debate isn’t over for some people with disabilities

Opinion: The straw debate isn’t over for some people with disabilities

Ally Pronina, Columnist
December 11, 2019
A Cambus passes by the Main Library on Thursday, September 26, 2019.

Opinion: Cambus Bionic is essential for transportation for those with disabilities

Ally Pronina, Columnist
December 2, 2019
By AJ Boulund

Opinion: Be thankful for friends and family, not physical possessions

Ally Pronina, Columnist
November 20, 2019
Rally attendees hold signs and listen to speakers on the Pentacrest on Wednesday, May 1, 2019. UI Students for Disability Advocacy & Awareness organized this rally to speak about the injustice that students with disabilities face on campus. (Hannah Kinson/The Daily Iowan)

Opinion: Students with disabilities find success and difficulties with on-campus employment

Ally Pronina, Columnist
November 13, 2019
Opinion: Curing disabilities is too complicated currently

Opinion: Curing disabilities is too complicated currently

Ally Pronina, Columnist
November 4, 2019
Opinion: Don’t overlook disabilities on Halloween

Opinion: Don’t overlook disabilities on Halloween

Ally Pronina, Columnist
October 28, 2019
The outside of the UI Student Disability Services office is seen on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. The office is located in the basement of Burge Hall.

Opinion: The correct terminology around disabilities matters

Ally Pronina, Columnist
October 24, 2019
President Donald Trump makes a statement announcing that a deal has been reached to reopen the government through Feb. 15 during an event in the Rose Garden of the White House Jan. 25, 2019 in Washington, D.C.

Opinion: Trump’s autism bill is a good start, but won’t solve all obstacles

Ally Pronina, Columnist
October 15, 2019
The Old Capital from the roof of UIHC in Iowa City, Iowa on March 25, 2019.

Opinion: Iowa needs to increase investment into mental health

Ally Pronina, Columnist
October 11, 2019
The outside of the UI Student Disability Services office is seen on Wednesday, June 5, 2019. The office is located in the basement of Burge Hall.

Opinion: Student Disability Services needs to be accessible to everyone

Ally Pronina, Columnist
October 9, 2019
The Westlawn student health and wellness building is seen on Wednesday, Apr. 17, 2019.

Opinion: UI provides many resources to students with eating disorders

Ally Pronina, Columnist
September 24, 2019
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