Isabelle Oppelt, Clio Wachtel, Margaret Montag, Najuna Kiggundu, Lucy Still.

A brand new team of League of Women Voters of Berkeley, Albany, Emeryville (LWVBAE) interns has arrived this fall! The first meeting was held by League President Kandea Mosley Gandhi and former Communications Intern, Isabelle Oppelt. The new program members were: Clio Wachtel, the Communications Intern; Margaret Montag, the Healthcare Intern; and Najuna Kiggundu, one of two Criminal Justice Interns along with Lucy Still. These interns are motivated and prepared to make a meaningful contribution to the League.

On August 31st the interns were introduced to LWVBAE’s history and structure, and given an overview of each role. This then  led to an open sharing moment about how it feels to conduct community outreach, when the former Communications Intern, Isabelle Oppelt, said, “It can feel really great to help someone get an answer to a question they didn’t even know they had.” Gandhi also shared her experiences and shared tips and advice to be used going forward.

Over the next several months, interns will work closely with Gandhi and other leaders to find their groove within the League and work on impending projects. Not only will interns serve in specific League program areas, but they will conduct voter registration and community outreach at Bay Area events, like the Solano Stroll on September 14th. Interns will introduce passersby to LWVBAE and its current political priorities, while practicing public speaking and engaging local residents. During her remarks, Gandhi explained, “Unless we have studied the particular political issue, we cannot take a position. The League must be well informed before we reach consensus on a political matter.”

Gandhi wants to ensure that we are educated and experienced in our stances, so the League may have a coherent message when addressing the public. In response, Criminal Justice Intern Lucy Still chimed in, “I’m very excited to learn more about political topics and being able to speak about them in an educated manner.”

With major political events in the immediate future, including the November 4th Special Election, it is imperative that we take strides towards educating as many people as we can to use their voices, and teach others to do the same.

–Clio Wachtel