In high school, I viewed politics as one of the most mind-numbing subjects imaginable. From my perspective, Congress was dominated by wealthy, older white men and my single vote felt insignificant, as though it could never truly represent me. Politics seemed distant, unrelatable and ultimately pointless.
In 2024, however, Congress reached a record high of women representatives, with women making up 28% of the Senate and House of Representatives.
That number has since inched up to 28.2%. While the increase may appear small, my understanding of politics has grown in ways far more significant than any statistic could convey.
My shift began just before class registration, when I made a last-minute decision to major in political science instead of biology. Initially, I thought the field might align with my interest in crime and law. After just two classes, my perspective changed entirely.
I began to recognize systemic issues happening in real time — voter suppression, widespread gerrymandering and a growing sense among constituents that their voices were not being heard.
As I became more involved, such as with starting a political club, following national politics more closely and working with public officials, I also began to notice the challenges women face, both within politics and beyond.
At times, I was reduced to stereotypes, labeled as “ditzy,” or seen as simply a friendly face to attract new members. When I asserted my knowledge or capability, those efforts were often dismissed.
One particularly frustrating moment came when a club member made racist remarks toward an officer. When the situation was addressed, both the officer, Kai DeBerry, and I were told, “He doesn’t respect you because [you] are Black; he does not respect you because you all are women,” referring to DeBerry.
The comment really emphasized the reality that the bias against race and gender continues to shape how individuals are treated in political spaces.
“If anything, it empowered me to rise above all expectations and truly show him and everyone else with doubts what I was capable of,” DeBerry said.
Despite moments like these, I have also been encouraged by strong role models. Bridget Hester, my first political science professor, emphasized the importance of representation.
“I think it’s important for women in academia to show everyone belongs in every aspect of the world; it should be as normal as seeing women at the grocery store,” Hester said.
Experiences like these have strengthened my resolve. They have pushed me to work harder and think more critically about the systems shaping our society.
My goals have become clearer: whether as a prosecutor or a senator, I want to advocate for those who often go unheard: women, marginalized communities, children and individuals experiencing homelessness.
What once felt like a distant and irrelevant subject has become deeply personal. Politics is no longer something happening around me; it is something I am actively part of and hope to change.
