When you think of a Vice President, you generally think of men like Joe Biden or Dick Cheney, not a fashionable and energetic 20-something female. But, Emily is just that. Wearing a beautiful outfit and hip glasses, she came rushing into her office for her interview with a hundred things in her hands and a hundred things on her mind. Her desk was full of papers and old coffee cups, but not a single hair was out of place. She’s a double major in Political Science and Communications, while also taking classes for her eventual Master’s Degree in Public Administration. She’s also a member of the Theta Eta chapter of Delta Delta Delta, and, in what little spare time she has, the Vice President of Associated Students of the University of Wyoming (ASUW). “On my busiest days I usually go from work to class, from work to class, from work to meetings, it’s a lot of back and forth.” To put it simply, she’s a busy woman.
Even though she puts on the face of a strong, empowered woman, even she succumbs to the knots in her stomach when surrounded by her male superiors and peers. “Sometimes I catch myself being more reserved when I’m in situations where I’m surrounded by males colleagues.” Being in such a position of power where she’s constantly surrounded by male senators, her President, Brian Schueler, and male university big wigs, can be intimidating. Instead of cowering from it, Emily instead embraces the position and wants more women to join her at the top. “Something I’ve really taken to heart is encouraging other females to lead on campus. It’s really important for me to talk to fellow women on campus and say, look, this is a great opportunity to represent the female voice.” She has even gone to Washington, D.C. to lobby on issues like sexual assault and general wellness issues like mental and physical wellness, especially after the tragic events of last spring. “Being able to show that we’re doing things that matter is really meaningful.”
Emily is definitely a trailblazer. She is a confident, well-spoken, and beautiful collegiette. She embodies what I think all of us would want for ourselves, a sense of empowerment and solidified self-worth. “There is no norm if you think there is no norm. If you ignore the norms, then you can form your own path and you can do what is going to be best for you and what is going to drive you towards your own success.” Preach it, sister. Just remember the little people when you’re the President of the United States someday.