Photo via PA Senate Democrats
BY: CAITLIN MULDOWNEY, SUMMER COLLABORATOR AT POWER IN PLACE
Regina Young’s entrance into politics was not spurred by ambition, but rather necessity. Before running for State Representative of Legislative District 185, she worked in the Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Education as the Community Schools Organizer. As a longtime social worker and community organizer, she felt that there was work to be done beyond the scope of the role she was currently filling.
Throughout the interview, it became clear that two things have run consistently throughout Regina’s career: her commitment to education and community development. While her job titles and employers have varied, she has consistently placed the importance of human capital at the center of her work. This is evident through her campaign in the listening tour she embarked on prior to running, and the consistency she displayed in connecting with her constituents throughout the pandemic.
In her recent talk with Power in Place, she urged attendees to center their careers on an issue they are passionate about, rather than a specific industry or position. In her own words, “connect your importance with who you are.” This advice is particularly salient as it becomes more common for employees to spend a shorter amount of time in a role before moving on. [1] Therefore, dedicating one’s career to a set of values or causes they care deeply about will not only be more fulfilling, but will also make it easier to chase new opportunities and to deal with change.
Regina took her own advice in deciding to run for office. As she put it, it was “an opportunity [she] couldn’t ignore” and, “a risk [she] had to take because [she] wanted to see the community more empowered.” Although politics was not a path she would have predicted for herself, she embraced the change and risk because it offered her an opportunity to expand upon the work to which she was passionate and committed. Regina’s grassroots campaign against a longtime incumbent was successful, with her becoming the Democratic nominee this past June. [2] Even if this were not the case, I am confident that she would find new ways to promote education, economic development and criminal justice throughout her community and beyond. [3]
References
[1] Landrum, Sarah. “Millennials Aren't Afraid To Change Jobs, And Here's Why.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, November 10, 2017. https://www.forbes.com/sites/sarahlandrum/2017/11/10/millennials-arent-afraid-to-change-jobs-and-heres-why/
[2] Marin, Max. “With Less than $10,000, Philly Candidate Scoops PA House Seat from Democratic Dynasty.” Billy Penn. Billy Penn, June 16, 2020. https://billypenn.com/2020/06/13/with-less-than-10000-philly-candidate-scoops-pa-house-seat-from-democratic-dynasty/
[3] “Platform.” Regina Young For PA 185. Accessed August 13, 2020. https://www.reginayoung185.com/platform
Caitlin Muldowney is a rising senior at the University of Pennsylvania majoring in International Relations and Modern Middle Eastern Studies. She is involved in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed national community service fraternity and works as a research assistant studying the effectiveness of international organizations. She is passionate about international human rights and learning new languages.