For Women’s History Month, Hill Staffers Encourage the Next Generation

3/30/2020 

Herline Mathieu

Ivelisse Porroa-Garcia

Women across the country have paved the way forward to a bolder, more equitable, and inclusive nation. This month we pay tribute to Black women on Capitol Hill who continue to carve out spaces for more women to make change in the halls of Congress while serving their country. Women make up half of the world's population yet many continue to be denied the same opportunities as their male counterparts to obtain positions of power. In our fortieth year, the Congressional Black Associates is committed  to uplifting the voices of Black women who encourage the next wave of aspiring female political leaders. During our spotlight series with the Tri-Caucus, we highlighted several women of color and asked them an important question: What advice do you have for those who aspire to follow in your footsteps ? Here is what they had to say: 

Herline Mathieu: “Be clear and intentional about the life that you want and whatever is meant for you will always find you. Enjoy your life!” 

Ivelisse Porroa-Garcia: “Carry yourself with the confidence of a mediocre white man and keep moving forward.” 

Auburn Bell: “Don't be afraid to take up space. You belong here as much as anyone else. Listen, evaluate, then confidently state your opinion.”

Wendy Hamilton: “One hope I have for the future is that women will one day control rooms in unquestionable ways that men have been doing for centuries. Our country will be better off once we acknowledge that women's lived experiences allow us to make better sound decisions.” 

Erica Loewe: “None of us got to where we are in life without receiving help from somebody. Reach back and pay it forward.” 

Taylor Ware: “Be willing to be the solution to the problems that you identify. When I was interning on the Hill, I always thought to myself that my experience could have resonated better if I had someone to go the extra mile and shown me all that the Hill really had to offer. Years later, I am blessed and honored to facilitate mentoring opportunities for Hill interns. But, that would not have happened if I were not willing to be that solution.”

Auburn Bell

Keenan Austin Reed: “It is always my hope that I make the path for those who come after me a bit smoother. There is no glory in new staffers waiting as long as my generation to ascend to senior roles or being the only person of color in spaces of power. It is my hope that staff behind me have increased opportunities on Capitol Hill, and my wish is that they make a way for those who come after them.”

Janessa Lopez: “My hope for the future is that someday we can get past all of this extreme polarization and partisanship and work together as Americans. I think social media has fueled a lot of hate, but I hope we never lose our compassion and humanity for one another.”

Desiree Wroten: “One piece of advice I can share is to invest your time and energy on creating memories that will last a lifetime.” 

Cheniqua Johnson: “My hope for the future is that we - as a people - get to a space where we start to reject and/or immensely alter the mentality of “waiting for the right time,” or “getting a little more experience first and then doing” mentality. Experience, although valuable and necessary, doesn’t always lead to monumental change and/or discoveries. Sometimes, experience is just that - experience. The most experienced candidate in the room isn’t guaranteed the position. In public service, sometimes the people want the person who was willing to stand up, take a risk, and do it!”

Jackie Bush: “One piece of advice I'd like to share is to treat others the way you want to be treated.

Symonne Smith: There's always a challenge or obstacle when you work on the Hill, so like Dory, always remember to "just keep swimming”

Wendy Hamilton

Kayla Primes: “My one piece of advice I will like to share is to keep going and never give up your dreams. Yes, this sounds cliche but life is truly about discovering your calling, working on your calling, becoming an expert on your calling that can ultimately lead to having a positive impact in an immense way.”

From Left to Right, Erica Loewe, Taylor Ware, Keenan Austin Reed, Janessa Lopez, Desiree Wroten, Cheniqua Johnson, Symonne Smith, Kayla Primes.