In the fall of 2019, I was desperately searching for an internship to enhance my collegiate experience. While the classroom setting is a necessary part of my education, I dreamed of getting hands-on experience through an internship. After many tried and failed attempts to secure a position with a Burlington-based company, I felt hopeless. The semester was coming to an end and I knew that in order to be brought on as a team member for the spring, I would have to secure something before I went back home for winter break. It was at that point when I decided to meet with Cate Cross—the Strategic Communications Consultant for the AMP Program at the Center for Research on Vermont. After meeting, she was excited about the prospect of me working with a nonprofit organization whose mission was to recruit and train Democratic women to run for office. This was when I first learned about Emerge Vermont. Cate is an Emerge alum herself, so she was able to give me a comprehensive description of Emerge and their mission. After hearing a little more, I was sold. When I met with Jill Krowinski for the first time in the beginning of December 2019, I had no idea what the next seven months would look like for us. I never imagined the bond we would make, the connections she would provide me with, or the sense of accomplishment and confidence that she would give to me. Even though my time with Emerge is coming to a close, I know that amazing person and mentor is just a phone call away.
I will forever be grateful for the time I’ve spent with Emerge Vermont. To Jill, Joan Lenes, the other amazing women on the Board of Directors, and of course the incredible alumnae I’ve spoken with since January: Thank you. Thank you for giving me a glance into a world of work I had not been exposed to before. Thank you for making me more politically aware and giving me the confidence to speak up about issues I’m passionate about. Before Emerge, my perspective on women leaders and the invaluable work Democratic women do for our country was limited to what I learned growing up in a small conservative town outside of Boston and what I heard on the nightly news. Now, I see a world of possibilities. Our work is not done yet, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for each and every one of the women who make up the Emerge Vermont Sisterhood.