麻豆视频

Back to All International Women's Day, Political Science Spotlights

1994

Current job title and employer and briefly describe what it is you do: Chief Policy Officer, Let鈥檚 Grow Kids

Academic experience at 麻豆视频 Michael's College help prepare you for your career: I studied political science. Some of my closest friendships were formed at St. Michael鈥檚鈥攖he kind of friends who will always be in your heart, even if you go months or years without seeing each other regularly. I was deeply influenced by some incredible professors who helped me form an appreciation of political systems and their impact on individual lives, cultures different from mine, powerful poetry and prose, and the transformative power of many voices coming together to create change.

In a few sentences, tell us about yourself: I鈥檓 a parent of a middle schooler and an activist. I spent many years advocating in the Vermont Statehouse for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, and I鈥檓 now working to achieve high-quality, affordable child care for all Vermont鈥檚 children. I grew up in a log cabin in the woods of Vermont, traveled a lot, and lived in some truly gorgeous places, and decided that when I settled down I wanted to live within walking distance of groceries. I鈥檓 happy to have landed with my family in an amazing neighborhood in the Old North End of Burlington, with five international food markets within a few blocks.

What advice would you give to women students: You are the expert in your own experience. So much of the world tries to tell us that our feelings and opinions aren鈥檛 real or valid, and it鈥檚 hard not to internalize that message and feel like we have to conform to a fictionalized idea of perfection. I think I was in my late 30s when I finally felt comfortable admitting I didn鈥檛 know something, or that I鈥檇 been wrong about something, without feeling like a failure. I鈥檝e been listening to poet Amanda Gorman and she talks beautifully about managing feelings of inadequacy by using tools to make herself feel larger and stronger鈥攏ot in a narcissistic way, but by 鈥渞ecognizing the size and the space and the significance that I occupy all on my own, without demeaning anybody else.鈥� I want all of us to have the freedom and support to develop tools to own our whole selves, with all of our flaws, and feel confident about our ability to have impact.

What are some strategies that can help women achieve a more prominent role in their organizations: Don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for what you want. I鈥檝e hired and supervised a lot of staff, and my experience is that white men rarely hesitate to advocate for themselves 鈥� whether it鈥檚 higher pay, promotions, or to take on projects that inspire them and allow them to shine. But as a woman I was socialized to not make waves, to put my head down and work hard and prove I was worthy, and wait for good things to come my way. Don鈥檛 wait for someone to finally notice that you鈥檙e great at what you do and still can鈥檛 pay your rent! Ask for what you need to be able to thrive, and find allies who can support you day-to-day. And support other womxn or folx who might also be struggling to get ahead because of racism, homophobia, misogyny, and other forms of oppression. It鈥檚 a clich茅 but so true 鈥� we鈥檙e stronger when we support each other. And if your job really just makes you miserable, look for another one! Don鈥檛 stay in a role that鈥檚 a terrible fit for you out of some sense of obligation or despair. If you鈥檙e unhappy and you have other employment options, consider them. Moving on can sometimes be a gift, both for yourself and your workplace.

What keeps you motivated and driven on a daily basis: The deeply ingrained injustice and inequity that are embedded in our culture and systems in so many ways keep me driven. It鈥檚 pretty motivating to know that so many people in the world are suffering all the time. It can also be overwhelming, but I think it鈥檚 up to each of us to take whatever small steps we can each day. And some days that action is focusing inward, spending time with our families or friends or doing something to recharge ourselves so we can go back out and take some more small steps.

What woman most inspires you and why: So, so many 鈥� it鈥檚 hard to choose! For the past month it鈥檚 been Amanda Gorman, the first National Youth Poet Laureate and the youngest ever inaugural poet. I challenge you to watch her perform her poems, to listen to her in interviews, and not feel deeply inspired. Her ability to weave such force, conviction, beauty, and inspiration with words is profound. Passages like this have helped me get through some hard days recently: 鈥淲e will not march back to what was but move to what shall be, a country that is bruised but whole, benevolent but bold, fierce and free, we will not be turned around or interrupted by intimidation because we know our inaction and inertia will be the inheritance of the next generation, our blunders become their burden. But one thing is certain: if we merge mercy with might and might with right, then love becomes our legacy and change our children鈥檚 birthright.鈥�

She beautifully summarizes all the reasons that I鈥檝e been working for decades in nonprofits that are seeking to create change.