My Day on Capitol Hill

I had an incredible day last Tuesday. Not only did I meet face-to-face with my congressman on Capitol Hill, but after our conversation he agreed to sign on to the Reach Act, a bill that has the potential to help end preventable maternal and child deaths. I’m 20-years-old and live in Tulsa, but at that moment I realized my voice absolutely does matter and has the power to impact millions of people across the globe.

When I arrived at the RESULTS International Conference last summer as a REAL Change Fellow, I had no advocacy experience. Since then, with REAL Change I’ve learned how the political process works, how to influence members of Congress and their staff, and how I can play a role in getting legislation passed. I am amazed to find that I now walk into meetings with members of Congress feeling confident, informed, and empowered. Because of my experience as a REAL Change Fellow, I’ve become passionate about global education policy for women. I have a specific career path now, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

In the meantime, I’ll be returning to the International Conference this summer. I’m so excited to reunite with old friends, meet new ones, and feel inspired by an amazing lineup of speakers and workshops. I also can’t wait to get back to Capitol Hill and advocate for the issues I care about most.

Will you join me?

P.S. Do you know any young people who would jump at the chance to learn hands-on advocacy skills in Washington, DC? Applications for the 2016 REAL Change Fellowship are now open!