My advice for young progressives is to start advocating and sharing your ideas with the world. I am tired of young progressives who say that what they do or say will not make a difference.  Young people have proven after the last election that we are extremely influential and we will fight for our convictions. Therefore, it is now our duty to continue our politically active reputation that we won after the election of Barack Obama.  It is your job, as a young progressive, to become an active citizen! Whether that is writing to your Congressmen, participating in a political organization, going to DC to protest, or running for office, it is time to become active!

 -Meredith

University / Year of Graduation / Major or emphasis: University of Iowa/ May 2011/ Political Science and Communication Studies with a certificate in Sustainability

 

Groups/Publications/Organizations Involved with (in school and after) University Democrats, Johnson and Cedar County Democrats, IA Student PIRG, University of Iowa Environmental Coalition, Phi Sigma Pi, Iowa Democratic Veterans Caucus.

 

How did you become politicized? I grew up in a family that watched news programs daily, including “Meet The Press” and “60 Minutes” every Sunday. A defining event was when my mom took me to a rally featuring presidential candidate John Kerry. My mom became politically involved and I in turn was also invigorated. Through my mom's involvement, we rode a bus to our first national peace march in Washington D. C. in September 2005, the second one in January 2007, and the third in March 2009. Each trip carries vivid memories.

 

What got you to where you are today? My family’s support, hard work, and a lot of determination got me to where I am today.  As a freshman at a Big Ten university and a small town background, I immediately realized that I would have stand up for myself and my convictions if I ever wanted to succeed.

 

How did you get involved with Campus Progress? I became involved with Campus Progress in the fall of my junior year.  Campus Progress actually approached me about working with them to plan a health care rally.  After some thought and research I eagerly jumped at the opportunity.  Together, we hosted a weeklong educational campaign and rally for health care reform.

 

Tell us a little bit about your fight for Health Care Reform and the related events you've held on your campus. My fight for Health Care Reform started this fall when Congress began their discussions.  I attended my Congressman’s town hall meeting and was blown away with the amount of people who attended.  I knew that I was not the only one who was calling their Congressmen for reform! I also realized right away that my organization, University Democrats, should take an active role in the fight for health care reform.  After many possible event considerations and help from Campus Progress, we decided to host an educational campaign during our school’s busiest week, Homecoming. Every day we wore sandwich boards boasting myths and facts while collecting signatures from disgruntled students who were fed up with the current dysfunctional system, and wanted Health Care Reform! We invited students to stand up and walk for reform during our Homecoming parade.  Together we made up a large crowd that actively grew support from the public viewers.  My efforts have not stopped there.  I helped organize a phone bank with OFA where volunteers and University Democrat members called community members asking for their support and urging them to call their Congressmen asking for reform.

 

What kind of opportunities and/or hurdles have you faced in your activism for reform and other issues? As is typical in many high schools the students are not interested in current events or politics. Early on, I realized that I was much different from the average teenager; therefore, I have faced hurdles in trying to convince my friends why it is important to become politically active. While in college I have met both hurdles and opportunities. In college I often become frustrated watching my friends out partying, oblivious to what is happening around them in the world. However, my activism has provided several exciting opportunities including meeting wonderful people who share my enthusiasm and traveling to memorable events, a high point was attending the Democratic National Convention in August, 2008.

 

Were you active during the 2008 Presidential election? If so,tell us about the environment for activism on your campus then compared to now. YES, of course! On my campus at the University of Iowa, activism was at an all time high! Before the caucuses it seemed like everyday there was a presidential candidate coming to visit.  As a result students flooded the caucuses, many coming back to Iowa from winter break at home.  The activism did not die down after the caucuses.  Many soon joined political affiliated student organizations and began volunteering. Everyday there were students asking if you were registered and if you wanted to vote early.  When the results came in our campus yelled with joy, knowing that their hard work paid off.  Unfortunately, now students are not as interested in volunteering or staying involved with politics.  It is much harder to recruit and gain momentum today without the help of a contested election.

 

What are your next steps? What's next for you in terms of activism or personal goals? My next steps in terms of health care reform include, continuing to hold educational events and rallies urging students to take a stand and help fight for health care reform.  I will be in DC next semester with The Washington Center and will be focusing my efforts on my internship. However, this will not impede my activism only make it more direct.

 
Any words of advice for young progressives? My advice for young progressives is to start advocating and sharing your ideas with the world. I am tired of young progressives who say that what they do or say will not make a difference.  Young people have proven after the last election that we are extremely influential and we will fight for our convictions. Therefore, it is now our duty to continue our politically active reputation that we won after the election of Barack Obama.  It is your job, as a young progressive, to become an active citizen! Whether that is writing to your Congressmen, participating in a political organization, going to DC to protest, or running for office, it is time to become active!