Written by Evelyn Smyth
During my internship at Power in Place, I was able to get to know the internal workings of the political world and gain insight into the minds of some extraordinarily powerful women. People were coming together from all around the country to exchange ideas and responsibilities, but this was half the fun. Power in Place celebrates stories of all kinds from creators of different backgrounds and experiences which made this internship all the more unique. Everyone is so open-minded persevering through all ambitious ideas that are thrown their way. This mindset is vital for PiPsters in order to create an atmosphere of growth and collaboration. I thoroughly enjoyed my time working with inspirational women to uplift and amplify the voices of women in politics. My most memorable experience was interviewing two influential women, Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton and Senator Jill Schupp, who I deeply admire.
I was eleven years old when I first met Eleanor Holmes Norton at a Habitat for Humanity Veteran’s Day home dedication event in 2012. My dad excitedly shared all of his stories about Representative Holmes Norton’s accomplishments the entire car ride home that day. Nine years and a few government classes later, I can now share in my dad’s excitement of her impact on my home city of Washington DC. At the age of eleven, I knew I admired her and looked up to her, so when asked who I wanted to interview at Power in Place I was eager to get to know her story. While I was unable to interview her in person due to the realities of living in a pandemic, I was able to connect with her and interview her over Zoom. Representative Norton expanded on her identity as an African American woman navigating politics in a white male-dominated profession. 2020 was the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, however this excluded women of color. Power in Place emphasized promoting women of color in honor of the women who were undemocratically excluded from the fundamental right to vote. I was in awe of Representative Holmes Norton, and my admiration only ran deeper after she did an outstanding job of narrating and articulating her story. She continues to be an inspiration to women of every age who are actively involved in politics, political activism, and social justice.
Power in Place strongly believes in the power of vulnerability and standing up for your beliefs. I am grateful to Senator Jill Schupp for her fierce vulnerability and humble character. My interview with Senator Schupp was one of the most humble interactions of my life. She was extremely well prepared and genuinely answered all of the questions I had prepared for her. During the Zoom interview, Senator Schupp provided me with personal examples from her journey through the world of politics as she expanded on with ease and excitement. Power in Place works with these women to preach their stories and experiences with the world to increase visibility and motivate other women who may be struggling to find their footing in politics.
My passion for supporting women in office carried over into the fall of 2020, as I found ways to continue my activism. It was difficult to navigate the online world with limited in-person options and fully remote classes, I wanted to avoid staring at a screen as much as I could because that is what the entirety of my day consisted of. Two of my friends from Smith College were interning with the Sara Gideon campaign and shared with me the opportunity to apply and learn alongside them. I jumped at the opportunity to make calls to Maine voters a few hours a week to promote Sara Gideon and supporting a woman who stands up for her beliefs. With a full course load, extracurriculars, and work at home, I was happy to dedicate the free time I had left to my never-ending passion for women's empowerment. This election in particular was a crucial one to elect more progressive women. I wanted to commit whatever time I did have to promoting and actively seeking more women in office.
Women are underrepresented in U.S. politics, especially women of color. My time at Power in Place allowed me to immerse myself in learning about the gender parity that continues to exist in our country. It is so important to hear these personal stories of Congresswomen, to help amplify and educate myself and others. In addition, connecting with individual voters when calling to promote representatives in critical elections taught me how interconnected the world of politics is. These experiences have allowed me to find my purpose in fighting for gender equity through activism and outreach.
Evelyn Smyth is a sophomore at Smith College, majoring in government and minoring in Spanish. She is passionate about women in politics, inclusion & diversity, as well as gender parity. On campus, she is the Vice President of the Smith College Democrats and the varsity rowing team representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.