How Do You Spend Your Thursday Morning?
A Little Advocacy Goes a Long Way

By Erika Hane

It’s not everyday that one gets to meet her elected congressional representatives. It’s even more rare that she has the chance to be a compelling activist every Thursday while Congress is in session. I’m lucky. Unlike most interns in Washington, D.C., who often spend their days making photocopies, I get to go to Capitol Hill and advocate for important issues every week. As a member of the AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps, I have met with staffers and senators alike, pursuing policies that address women’s equity and other social justice initiatives. The Lobby Corps - established in 1972 - serves as a vehicle to translate AAUW program ideas into political action via volunteer college students and AAUW members.

Since starting my internship in the AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations Department in January 2006, I’ve had an eye-opening experience lobbying on issues that are pertinent to me, not only as a woman but also as a college student. I get first-hand exposure to what the government considers "expendable" and "essential." Unfortunately, more often than not, I am an advocate for programs that are scheduled for budget cuts or elimination, individuals who are marginalized, and public policy that provides for adequate and equitable funding. But more importantly, I get the opportunity to react to legislation by discussing issues and concerns with the individuals casting the votes. From budget resolution amendments concerning the funding or eradication of Perkins loans and Pell Grants to the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, I’ve lobbied on them all.

After the amount of press that lobbying and lobbyists have received in the past six months, it’s probably necessary to explain what lobbyists actually do. One of the main purposes of lobbying is to educate congressional staff as well as the elected representative. Hundreds of thousands of issues from all types of organizations and coalitions come across the desks of legislative staff. And without face-to-face contact and briefing, Congress often does not have all the information. Trying to get meetings with legislative aides or assistants is a unique challenge for a lobbyist, but it’s a skill that is quickly honed. I get an absolute feeling of elation and satisfaction when I hear a legislative assistant say, "We back your standpoint 100 percent."

The Lobby Corps is also extremely important because of its ability to disseminate information on the Hill. For example, when the AAUW Educational Foundation published its study Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus, the Lobby Corps distributed it to congressional offices. The majority of legislative staffs were not aware that harassment is a problem on college campuses and that it can have a negative affect on a student’s overall collegiate experience. Because members of the Lobby Corps were there in person to field questions, AAUW was able to bring a relevant problem in higher education to the attention of government officials.

But more than anything else, I’ve learned from this experience is that it is crucial for individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to be active and voice their wants, needs, and expectations to their government. It’s our generation that will have to bear the burden of outrageous national debt. It’s our generation that will have to live the consequences of the "War on Terror." It’s our generation that will have to determine the fine line between security and civil liberty. We will have to live with a lower social safety net, if we have one at all. It’s you, me, and our colleagues who will have to live with the consequences of judicial confirmations and what judicial restraint may or may not mean in the years to come.

As an organization, AAUW is distinctive because of its approach to dealing with lawmakers, changes in or establishing laws, supporting or opposing federal nominations, and bringing attention to issues affecting the livelihood of women and girls.

It is not my intention to continue lobbying for the rest of my life. On the contrary, I have it in mind to lobby along with getting others to do the same. It doesn’t matter what the issue or what stance an individual takes on the subject. The most important thing is that the individual takes a stand. The easy thing would be to simply let other individuals make decisions for me, but who wants to live their life letting other people decide what’s best for them? I’m proud to be progressive, but more importantly, I’m proud to be noncomplacent.

Read more information about AAUW Capitol Hill Lobby Corps and AAUW’s public policy agenda.

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