There’s nothing more formative for political engagement of the youth than through a sit down with a real politician to answer the questions of aspiring activists across the nation. On October 29th, 2020, just five days before the monumental presidential election, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand sat down with Windsor Western, co-founder of Her Campus Media, to answer questions from students from different Her Campus chapters all over the nation.
Senator Gillibrand is an upstate New York native, born and raised there. She came from a background of public service and activism as she grew up with her mother and grandmother, two democratic activists. Before Gillibrand’s rise to congress, she was a lawyer at private firms. Her role in the legal field is what led her to this political milestone as she was inspired by Hillary Clinton’s speech to the Women’s Leadership Forum. Gillibrand had considered making her first run for office in 2004 but did not follow through after Hillary Clinton advised her to wait until 2006. In 2006, Gillibrand entered the race against Republican incumbent John E. Sweeney in a highly conservative rated district. That November, Senator Gillibrand won the race with 53% of the vote.
The first student question asked opened the gate to a wide range of optimism for aspiring politicians around the nation, especially young women, who wish to engage in the political spectrum. The senator was asked about her experience on The Hill as a woman. Gillibrand responded by discussing her strive to keep pushing against the odds and stated that the foundation of her strength and voice relied on fighting for what you believe in. She said that what made her campaign run smooth and efficient was the hard work of volunteers campaigning. Volunteers in any campaign are essential for word of mouth and mobility. The volunteer work and commitment essentially made Gillibrand’s campaign and win a successful grassroots movement.
A quote that I personally really liked from the senator in regards to telling young advocates to not be afraid to try and get involved in politics is that sometimes all it takes is: “the right person at the right moment.” Senator Gillibrand has branded her platform and agenda by fighting and advocating on progressive ideals and issues in a predominantly red district. When asked how basic human rights will be upheld under a Biden/Harris administration, Gillibrand highlighted ways in which her role as a senator could influence Biden/Harris legislature. It takes senators that are listening to the unheard voices of their district, to write bills that a president like Joe Biden can sign. This emphasized the fact that elections are not just important in electing a new president but also shows the importance of who we choose to be in congress. Senators and Representatives must represent their constituents on a constitutional level. The senator laid out her plan on how senators like herself and others would tackle institutional racism, by focusing on means to eliminate it and see where it is happening. By being aware of the issue at hand is the first step in eliminating it. Senator Gillibrand stated that the maternal mortality rate is four times higher among African American women than white women.
Senator Gillibrand was also asked about her views on healthcare. She stated that she believes in healthcare for all, as it should be seen as a “right, not a privilege.” She also noted her stance on reproductive rights, which is a hot topic right now after the confirmation of Amy Coney Barret into the Supreme Court. Many Republicans have hinted at targeting Roe V. Wade and reversing abortion laws. Senator Gillibrand stated her belief that reproductive rights = civil rights. Right now, healthcare is on the line in the hands of the Supreme Court justices as oral arguments on the future of the Affordable Care Act will take place one week after the election, on November 10th. For a strong Biden/Harris administration to play out, Gillibrand emphasized the importance of winning the senate. There’s a reason our country has a long-established system of checks and balances, and even though our current president tends to forget about this, it is a key factor in the passing of the legislature. This all ties back into the importance of knowing who we place in those senate seats because ultimately it is their power and discretion to write up pieces reflecting the views of the American people and present it to the executive branch.
Senator Gillibrand also commended the youth for its record high voter turnout in this election. According to a report from the College of Civic Life at Tufts University, more than 3 million young people have already voted in this election. Many of these numbers are coming from key battleground states, meaning that the turnout by young voters could really lead to a historic change. She encouraged young people to keep up their political engagement and encourage the people around them to vote. It’s not just about voting, it’s about knowing who you’re voting for and why you’re voting. The best voter is a knowledgeable voter.
Being as Her Campus is a community-run by women to inspire and encourage women, Senator Gillibrand shed light on women empowerment and feminism as she has experienced it as a woman in Washington. The key tip she gave was to follow your beliefs and fight for them. If there is an issue or matter you want to see a change in, then you have to become the change you want to see regardless of the opposition. She made a point about what women bring to the table. Women have proven to be more prolific and proactive, and that is something we need more of in congress. She used her experience of her brief presidential campaign in 2019, by noting that the best stories and articles written about her campaign were written by women. We live in a society where women are stepping up and standing up and making their mark. We are holding everyone accountable in hopes of pushing a progressive agenda to further change the political climate of our current nature.