Who Will Be Responsible? By Ashley Ahlholm, Class of 2010

My interest in politics has always been strong, but until a year ago my motivations were so broad that I often felt myself struggling to convince anyone that my causes were worthwhile.

Completing a thesis on the impact of environmental hazards on communities with low socio-economic statuses and high minority populations left me yearning to encourage civic engagement so someone, somewhere, would be responsible to these citizens. Since then I’ve been trying to follow this utopian model myself, volunteering on numerous campaigns and in local school districts and I still, maybe somewhat naively, believe that most inequities in our society can be addressed with education and a little engagement. By encouraging a relationship between your neighbors and throughout your community, an eventual ripple will be felt, bringing a sense of attachment and community to your town, your district, or even your state, until each citizen feels a connection and senses the value of human equality.

The women that I’m fortunate enough to share a classroom with for twelve hours a month are proof that, however grand my motivations may be, they are viable. Each woman comes from a different background and brings to the table different motivations
and solutions. They are not driven by a desire to public office for the sake of personal advancement, rather a will, a want, a need to see change somewhere within their community. These passions are contagious and each month when I leave class I find
myself wondering what on earth I could possibly bring to a table surrounded by such unique women. Each month I come to the same conclusion: if nothing, I bring optimism, a seemingly endless faith in humanity, and a heart that’s willing to learn to fight for
something new.

Ashley Ahlholm, Emerge Class of 2010