Thoughts from a New RESULTS Activist

It’s the end of an era. At least, that’s what it feels like as I sit here on my last day as a RESULTS intern. Truth be told, I am sad to go! First, everyone here has been amazing. Each staff member brings their own area of experience and expertise and has served as an inspiration for my future career goals. More than that though, I am sad to leave a place that has come to teach me so much about global development and advocacy. Sure, I had some experience on global issues before I started my internship here, but I knew nothing of the legislative advocacy and grassroots support it takes to truly make change happen. The behind-the-scenes work that takes place at RESULTS resembles a powerful, well-oiled machine. I have seen first-hand the impact that RESULTS has had on education, health, microfinance, and child survival, both domestically and abroad. Every human being in this country wants to help others, at least to some extent, but it is organizations like RESULTS that give people the tools to act on these feelings.

One day, a couple months ago, my mentor Crickett Nicovich, the Global Outreach and Advocacy Associate at RESULTS, suggested I call my own representative and ask that he vote against budget cuts for foreign aid. I won’t lie, I was very nervous. I thought, “Why would a busy leader of the country care what a 23-year old from Florida has to say?” But, when I finished the call and hung up the phone, I felt empowered. The staff member asked me questions; he did care why I felt so passionate about this issue. And you know what? My call, along with hundreds of others, made a difference! Foreign aid barely took a cut for fiscal year 2011. 

So, I leave here with fond memories and great lessons learned. At least it is not goodbye forever though; I plan to help out at the International Conference next month!